I've been fortunate to work from home since May. Now that that 2021 is almost here, management decided to reopen the office as of January. I don't feel safe as I work in a corporate office with more than 500 people in an open-concept layout. To make matters worse, they did a soft open for 50 employees a few weeks ago and within a week, four tested positive from different sections of the office. We have an ultimatum to either return as of January or you'll be let go. If it's deemed unsafe by the state's standards, can your workplace (unless your considered essential workers) force you to return? I'd appreciate your advice as I only have two weeks to decide.

Mystery Woman

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Anonymous

12/14/20 at 11:11PM UTC

Career

I've been fortunate to work from home since May. Now that that 2021 is almost here, management decided to reopen the office as of January. I don't feel safe as I work in a corporate office with more than 500 people in an open-concept layout. To make matters worse, they did a soft open for 50 employees a few weeks ago and within a week, four tested positive from different sections of the office. We have an ultimatum to either return as of January or you'll be let go. If it's deemed unsafe by the state's standards, can your workplace (unless your considered essential workers) force you to return? I'd appreciate your advice as I only have two weeks to decide.

User edited photo on 12/14/20 at 11:11PM UTC

12 Comments

Anonymous

12/14/20 at 11:17PM UTC

There are a number of free legal resources for almost anywhere in the nation. I recommend googling local and free legal advice in your area and asking someone with a legal background (unless there is someone here who could support!). Everything with COVID is so new so I am not sure how that plays out in the legal setting, or how things are impacted if you have identity or health concerns that could also make that type of move discriminatory, especially if they go against state guidelines.

User edited comment on 12/14/20 at 11:18PM UTC

2 Replies

Anonymous

12/14/20 at 11:56PM UTC

The specific response does vary by state but in general, you could have an argument for not returning to your place of work if you have a "Good Faith" basis to believe that doing so puts you at risk for harm or is unsafe. Factors that may be taken into consideration in determining the safety of your workplace are : 1 if you are in a high risk health category ; 2 if you have no choice but to take public transportation to get to work; 3 if you are the caregiver for someone who has pre existing conditions (high risk) ; 4 if your workplace is a "hot spot" 5 if your employer has not taken sufficient measures to comply with state and federal guidelines These are just a few factors and if you think this qualifiés you not to return to the office, you may want to ask your employer if you can continue to work from home until the vaccine has been made available or a later date in the rollout.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 12:54AM UTC

My situation is that I have elderly parents and I'm an only child. I'm worried that if something happens to me in a place that right now I'm considering a 'hot spot' I don't know what will happen to them. I'd hate to put my job in jeopardy but my family is important to me. I guess I might have talked myself into what I need to do. Thank you both for offering your advice and please be safe and take care!

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 12:51AM UTC

Thank you and before looking into legal resources, the company's stance is making me second guess if I want to work for the organization. Just recently there were four cases out of 50 and that's before others were tested. To make matters worse, the state is now moving into red from orange. Where I could have understood previously when it was lower numbers, it seems irresponsible to bring that many people under one roof. I feel it's just a matter a time before someone didn't realize they were exposed and infect the whole office. Thank you and I appreciated your advice.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 5:18AM UTC

I suspect that your employer may reconsider in light of the test results and the deteriorating Covid situation in your state.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 5:14PM UTC

Thank you but for right now they are remaining firm on that action. I hope so but the clock is ticking.

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 4:22AM UTC

Keep in mind we are in the middle of a national surge, those 4 people could have easily gotten the virus outside of work. If your company is following state protocols (reduced capacity if required) including mask wearing, you don't have much of a leg to stand on in refusing to go back. Taking charge of your own safety (wear a mask, keep your workspace clean, wipe down all high contact surfaces like copiers, eat away from coworkers, and stay 6' apart) and you should be fine.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 4:47AM UTC

Thank you and I appreciate your advice. I plan on wearing a mask and adopting the safety procedures when possible. Even if the four people contracted it outside the office, bringing 500 people under the same roof and only elbow distance away from each, I feel is a recipe for disaster. There isn't room to spread out so I'm a bit nervous to be that close to everyone. Thank you and I appreciate your support!

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 5:21AM UTC

If workers are only elbow distance from each other, I would be very concerned about returning to work, even with masks. Where do employees eat and how will employees be distanced during mealtimes and breaks? Crowded conditions in these settings are also a concern.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 5:16PM UTC

That's why I'm concerned and the reason I'm worried about returning to work. You can do everything right but due to the close proximity, sadly, I think it's only a matter of time with than many employees. They haven't made plans on social distancing for breaks as well.

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 11:21AM UTC

I hear you. This is actually the reason why I'm looking for another job. We were doing great working from home but my company decided to reopen out of the blue and forced all my colleagues to go back. No way they can change their mind so better for me to move on.

1 Reply

Anonymous

12/15/20 at 5:21PM UTC

I'm sorry to hear you're in the same situation. We're doing great work at home as well so it's not necessary to bring everyone back. If we weren't getting things done, that might be another story but setting a mandate 'just because' doesn't seem enough of as reason. I don't want to leave but I feel like I'm being forced to look elsewhere. I think employers need to realize that employees are fearful about returning. Employers that remain firm on that decision are going to lose good employees.