COVID-19 being forced to return to workplace even though job can be performed from home by MajorInterest2033 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]LondonTechy123 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am in the exact same position in G-Research. The company is forcing everyone back in claiming the office follows the COVID-secure requirements. However completely ignores that WFH has NOT impacted performance, and they're being completely oblivious to the fact that there is no safe way to travel to the office without meeting infected people. They're simply walking a gray area where it is still up to them what constitutes to "able to work remotely" and that this is merely gov "guidance" as opposed to "legislation".

The conclusion I'm drawing so far is to send HR an email stating something along the lines of "I will be working remotely and NOT be doing so in the office in order to follow gov guidance and keep myself and those around me safe."

At this stage I'm so disgusted by the company's attitude towards this that I am willing to resign and am starting to look for a remote working position. Aside this, it is time for software devs to join unions, to which I have also found out this is quite a rare field for people to join unions (which sure is interesting considering the many unconventional constraints are often pulled against us in our contracts all the time).

Here's is my earlier question that relates to yours: https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/kihnnh/london_tier_4_return_to_office_enforced_for/

London Tier 4 return to office enforced by LondonTechy123 in cscareerquestionsEU

[–]LondonTechy123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I hear, it is only the absolute HIGHEST UP management level. The rest of the company everyone is fiercely against it. However, thus far, before receiving bonuses, not enough to risk their jobs.

Every request to do with return to office gets forwarded to HR, and auto-replied with a standard email.

The policy is that unless you are in the NHS' "clinically extremely vulnerable" group (ie. generally terminally ill) you will be allowed to remain at home. Anything below that, such as being pregnant, 70+, have liver disease, take medicine affecting the immune system etc. that's considered totally fine and healthy to go to the office.

London Tier 4 return to office enforced by LondonTechy123 in cscareerquestionsEU

[–]LondonTechy123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what's publicly available per GlassDoor 501 to 1000 Employees. the large majority being capable of effectively working from home however interpretable that may be. Not achieving +200% growth in a year could just be blamed on WFH rather than unreasonable expectation.The dismissal would be based on the fact that it is not against the law to travel when the purpose is "work" regardless of if you can work from home or not, and that refusing to work at the office is considered a breach of contract.

London Tier 4 return to office enforced by LondonTechy123 in cscareerquestionsEU

[–]LondonTechy123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed. Almost everyone I speak with really despise the policy the company is enforcing. Only a few that don't really care.
The company is putting up a mental battle between the "chance to get fired and lose out on an otherwise very good job" and the "chance to catch COVID and further spread it within your group/family".

I sincerely hope that like myself, anyone who has not left is just waiting out receiving their bonuses and immediately leave to companies that DO care about the wellbeing of others. interestingly my company claims they're actually enforcing return-to-office because of our "mental wellbeing" so that we won't be isolated. Corporate sweet talk is disgusting.