Returning to Work Anxiety

maiuspala on 01/08/2021 - 09:56
Last edited 01/08/2021 - 10:33 by 1 other user

Hi OzB community,

I was one of the "lucky" ones to receive a phone call from my employer this week that I am expected back to work from next Monday. The closer I get to tomorrow, the more anxious I get.

Are there any legal ways not to go back to work without getting reprimanded?

My anxiety comes from not understanding how we were all sent home two weeks ago with 100 cases and now we are expected back when the cases have more than doubled. It just doesn't make sense to me. There's no logic to it, all I can see is that construction lobbyists have done a bloody good job.

I am one of these tradies, who spends their day travelling from household to household (3-5 on a normal workday). So there is quite a high risk of getting and spreading the virus.

TLDR: Is there a legal way of not returning to work tomorrow, because I don't feel safe from COVID?

Education & Work

Comments

      • brad1-8tsi on 02/08/2021 - 13:31

        I would agree, hence "see your GP"

        • Tunblor on 02/08/2021 - 14:50

          We're on the same page, I was just trying to add that some people don't even realise they need to see a GP before they're in pretty deep.

  • Dr Techno on 02/08/2021 - 10:01

    Full face respirator & tyvek suit time ?

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/08/2021 - 10:49

    You ask whether anyone is sick, have been in contact, etc… and if so… simply do not enter

  • dreadpiratedan on 02/08/2021 - 10:54
    +2

    There's really no reason you couldn't take "personal" leave and/or call in sick. As far as legally, as long as they are operating under the guidelines set out but NSW gov, then no, no really legal reasons you can fall back on. If there is wild disregard for COVID safe practices amongst your colleagues, you should be raising this up the chain. Again for if you are attending households with no regard for any form of social distancing, you should remove yourself from said household and advise up the chain why you have done so.

    Double down on your own hygiene practices, dispose of single use masks rather than wear and touch the same one day in day out.

    Vaccinate if you feel comfortable doing so and haven't already.

    A lot depends on your individual circumstance and how accommodating your employer is.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 02/08/2021 - 11:01
    +2

    Just got my 1st Jab other then a bit of a sore arm im fine you will be too get vaccinated!

  • Drakesy on 02/08/2021 - 11:38
    +1

    NSW is sending their workers back to work with 200 cases a day, this should only be happening when cases have pretty much disappeared.
    Where is the government getting their health advice, oh wait, business lobbyists. This is what you get when you put business profits/productivity ahead of the welfare of your own people.

    What a joke of a lockdown. At this rate they'll be in the middle of summer and wondering why the cases are still climbing whilst Sydneysiders have to wait till the anti-vaxxers are forced to take the vaccine.

    I'm sure if you can prove that you're just as productive at home i don't see why you should have to go back to the office.

    • Tunblor on 02/08/2021 - 12:06
      +1

      The OP is a tradie working in other people's homes. How productive do you think they are working from home, and using your logic, does that mean they should go back to work?

      • Drakesy on 02/08/2021 - 12:12
        +1

        I guess this is where the point of difference is between state's approaches to lockdowns.

        Either you hit it on the head and send everyone into lockdown and wipe it out. In the long run the economy has a much greater benefit (just look at WA)
        or
        in Sydney's case do nothing until it's out in the community at which point an extended lockdown is the only way to get the numbers down. But unfortunately when you have business lobbyists in the ear of the politicians you'll never get health advice in the best interests of the people. It's all about profits.

        NSW already has a support package and SCOMO has reintroduced NSWKeeper just for his favourites.
        Money won't be a huge issue unless you've overly leveraged yourself against a ford ranger and $1,000,000 property in the burbs.

    • rektrading on 02/08/2021 - 12:18

      On the subject of welfare.

      Money stress ‘worse than virus’ for mental health
      Financial stress during lockdown is having a greater cost on people's mental health than exposure to COVID-19, according to a new longitudinal study from The Australian National University (ANU).

      Researchers found rates of people with clinical level anxiety and depression were double normal population levels during Australia's initial lockdown in March 2020, and the spike was related to pandemic-induced financial and social problems.
      https://psychology.anu.edu.au/research/research-stories/mone…

      Calls to suicide crisis lines have surged as people in Greater Sydney battle on during an extended Covid-19 lockdown, with one service reporting a 30 per cent spike in calls for help.

      With millions of people isolated, out of work and separated from social networks, suicide prevention services Parents Beyond Breakup (PBB) and Lifeline have witnessed more people needing urgent help than ever before.
      https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mental-health/covid…

      • crentist on 03/08/2021 - 00:08
        +1

        So, in the first weeks of the pandemic people were more concerned about their finances than their health? No wonder, it was a wildly uncertain time. Nothing was known about the virus or what it would mean for any of us, but job losses without support would mean collapsing under debt.

        It doesn't mean that keeping the economy going should outweigh the health risks of covid at a policy level, but that policy should manage the health risks of covid AND broad economic anxiety. Which doesn't have to mean keeping the everyone working.

        That's what Jobkeeper and eviction moratoriums were for. To provide the security of knowing that your world wouldn't be upheaved by the very real actions being taken for a very unknown health risk.
        It wouldn't matter if the economy came to a complete standstill, as long as people could still feel secure that they weren't about to fall off a cliff.

  • idonotknowwhy on 02/08/2021 - 11:50
    +5

    Book a consult with your GP and tell them you want the AZ vaccine.
    Look at the risk data here
    Very small chance of clots, and even if you get them, very small chance of dying even if you're 30.
    You know what else causes blood clots? Actual Covid-19.

    You should be able to get this jab within a week. I managed to get mine the same day and I'm 25-35.

    Not medical advice, you'll be getting that from the GP when you see them.

    • Tunblor on 02/08/2021 - 12:08
      +2

      This is good advice for anyone who actually wants a vaccine. Don't just put your name on one register and sit by the phone: keep calling around, ask around different medical centers, there are vaccines waiting.

    • morse on 04/08/2021 - 03:09

      I believe there is now the option to bring the second dose forward to 4weeks after the first, which also makes AZ a more attractive option than previously.

  • crysomemore on 02/08/2021 - 12:45
    +2

    Can understand the anxiety. I’ve be been working through the entire time in retail, watching as people do “essential” shopping. As others have said, mask up, keep your distance and sanitise. It’s frustrating but we are fortunate enough to still be able to work.

  • psylence on 02/08/2021 - 13:05
    +7

    Go get Astrazeneca like myself and millions or more worldwide

    • idonotknowwhy on 02/08/2021 - 13:39
      +3

      AZ is the way out of the pandemic. I wish those in power / the media had handled the messaging better.

      Now everyone is holding out for pfizer because "better efficacy and scared of blood clots", and we all have to endure another couple of years of rolling lockdowns + people getting actual covid-19.

      • nubzy on 02/08/2021 - 13:42
        +1

        If anyone is waiting it should be for Novavax

        • idonotknowwhy on 02/08/2021 - 13:45
          +8

          great, while they wait they can have novax

      • 42 on 03/08/2021 - 22:29

        Blood clots can happen in all the covid vaccines although very rare, wonder why AZ got singled out. People have died from Pfizer blood clots in the US

  • gviddy on 02/08/2021 - 13:16
    +1

    I know exactly what you are talking about. I work in a covid unsafe working environment. For me, it was simple, I just highlighted to them that the workplace is not covid safe (our CEO does not believe in covid so people dont need to wear masks and are allowed to group together in the office and at lunch). Their reply was that it is ok for me to continue working from home. I think they would be in a lot of trouble if they forced an employee to work in an unsafe environment.

    So possibly just reach out to your manager and let them know. Also you are not alone feeling this way and it is completely ok.

    • dizzle on 02/08/2021 - 14:27
      +1

      The trouble is, being a tradesman they can't work from home. They either work or they don't. Not too many managers would accept that if they are expected to be there.

      It's one thing being in an unsafe enviroment that doesn't stick to the rules, it's another thing if they are sticking to the rules. Now I don't know which case this is, but if they aren't safe, report them.

  • Name on 02/08/2021 - 14:03
    +1

    See your GP, talk through it with them. You'll probably be able to get a medical certificate to avoid going in (take sick leave) while you see a therapist and get back on track.

  • Vote for Pedro on 02/08/2021 - 14:55

    Aren’t there still restrictions on house calls for tradies? Only construction sites allowed back?

    • dizzle on 02/08/2021 - 15:16

      From the NSW Gov Website

      “Works in occupied premises including residential homes can also resume from this Saturday where there is zero contact between workers and residents. There will be a limit of up to two workers for indoor services and five workers for outdoor services, and works will only be possible where it is feasible for residents to vacate the area. If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead."

      So painters can go into homes if residents can vacate the area. Concreters can do the driveway as long as the resident stays in the home or is somewhere else. Landscapers can work without contacting. I'd even suggest the client can give instructions to the trades as long as distance is maintained.

  • 91rs on 02/08/2021 - 19:33
    -3

    "Oh my anxiety" … You're not a tradie.

    • JelIyfish on 02/08/2021 - 21:03
      +1

      A tradie can’t have anxiety?
      Or they aren’t allowed to talk about it?

  • mdavant on 02/08/2021 - 22:03
    +1

    Do you get $1000 per week tax free to stay at home?

    Your risk of covid is still small. Wear a mask and follow the rules.

    There are a lot of people at higher risk than you.

    Doctors
    Nurses
    Retail staff

    Etc

    • crentist on 02/08/2021 - 23:16

      Telling someone to nut up because others have it worse, is a poor justification for expecting them to put themselves at risk.
      Because there's an implicit hypocrisy in pointing out the people assuming the highest risks, and passing that off as the standard to judge others by. Unless OP is a doctor, why should he be judged against the risk profile of doctors? Maybe that different appetite for risk is why he isn't a doctor?

      And also because the risk for doctors and everyone else would go down if everyone like OP stopped moving about entirely.
      So if you weren't just using an extreme risk example, but also had some sense of concern or respect for those putting themselves at greatest risk for the rest of us, you'd do them the favour of limiting the spread, not trying to get out there with them.

      • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 04:55
        +2

        Safety standards have been put in place.

        I see how you failed to address the elephant of retail staff.

        For you to expect Coles workers to "nut up" for the community whilst others get paid to stay at home is hypocrisy at its finest.

        • crentist on 03/08/2021 - 09:20

          Replace doctors with retail staff and re-read. OP is neither a doctor, nurse, or retail worker.

          I wouldn't do any of those jobs at the moment. But I don't expect anyone else to either.

          • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 12:19

            @crentist: Well the community actually does.

            And they don't really have the same choice afforded to others.

            Yet they go in, wear a mask in a job with much greater risk than going to 5 places per day.

            Seems like people want others to do all the dirty jobs whilst those doing the dirty jobs are funding their safety.

            Straya!

            • crentist on 03/08/2021 - 14:26

              @mdavant: Wow what a strawman. You assumed my expectations of retail workers in order to call me a hypocrite, and when I said I don't have those expectations you've shifted those assumptions on "the community" to keep making the same claims of hypocrisy.
              Against who, exactly? Your oversimplified and non-representative community clearly excludes me and anyone else who doesn't fit your assumption.

              But you do seem to fit it pretty well. You're an individual telling another individual to do their dirty job, because "those people are doing it".
              Which sounds like you're pretty okay with those stated expectations of retail workers being the standard, not the exception.

              • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 15:32

                @crentist: No.

                I am expecting people to work under safe work conditions as determined by our health departments.

                I do that job. I am not being a hypocrite , I am being a leader.

                Many others do too.

                It is a reasonable expectation to do those jobs under appropriate rules and regulations.

                It is really easy to say you don't "expect" them to do it, but I bet you still use the services!

                • crentist on 03/08/2021 - 17:35

                  @mdavant: The hypocrisy isn't about whether you take on the risk yourself. It's in acknowledging that there's enough risk to recognise those who need to face it, while expecting others to also take it on when they might not share a similar need.

                  The health advice is to stay at home, unless you have a compelling reason not to. It isn't "stay home unless you see critical workers outside", and it certainly isn't "stay home until your neighbour decides to leave the house and calls himself a leader for doing it".

                  We don't know what OPs job entails, but it might be absolutely unessential. In which case the health argument should outweigh the business argument, and he'd be right to question it.

                  It is really easy to say you don't "expect" them to do it, but I bet you still use the services!

                  You're super keen to keep making assumptions. I bet it feels pretty nice to argue against your own strawmen.
                  You'd be wrong though.

                  • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 18:27

                    @crentist: The person works in an essential job, otherwise they couldn't!

                    I do not make up the standards or rules.

                    The health dept does.

                    Stop trying to make it seem that I am being unreasonable.

                    It is very very reasonable to expect people to be productive when it is deemed safe for them to be.

                    Otherwise why don't we all stop working for 2 months?

                    Here is something to consider too. The same people are working now who have continued to work through all "lockdowns". Stop being disrespectful to them. Many hands make light work.

                    • crentist on 03/08/2021 - 23:03

                      @mdavant:

                      Many hands make light work.

                      Many hands make more virus transmission. Did you forget we are in a pandemic, not a recession?

                      It's not disrespectful to essential workers to try and limit the spread. All their effort is for nothing if a bunch of pointless workers come out to be "helpful" and unleash covid.

                      • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 04:12

                        @crentist: You just don't get it.

                        If they are allowed to work, according to the guidelines they are essential .

                        I did not make up the definition / rules.

                        Which part of that don't you get?
                        I have pointed this out multiple times and it is common knowledge

                        Stop being stubborn arguing against a very obviously correct point.

                        • IM-Cheap on 04/08/2021 - 08:10

                          @mdavant: The guideline is industry lobbied and very easily bypassed. My employer is basically using their connection to a manufacturing facility to continue all employees going to the office everyday with majority working at their desk or going to internal meetings which they could do from home. They won't even consider just having people come in the 0-2 days a week they physically need to be there to do something for the job which would cut people actually in office to 1/3-1/4. Give business an inch on the guidelines and they'll take a mile.

                        • crentist on 04/08/2021 - 10:00

                          @mdavant:

                          If they are allowed to work, according to the guidelines they are essential

                          Oh you actually believe this is some kind of factual categorization? That's some level of faith you have there.

                          As IM-Cheap highlights, the meaning of "essential" depends who you ask, and the official guidelines are not free of business and political influence.

  • Brendoo on 03/08/2021 - 00:02
    +1

    Get the jab asap, it will be a huge relief. Should be able to do a walk-in at a chemist in most parts of Sydney.

    Wear an N95 mask, have your own hand sanitiser, and keep your distance from others.

  • pufffdragon on 03/08/2021 - 00:43
    -4

    Seriously, grow a pair.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2021 - 11:37
      -1

      Well said

    • JelIyfish on 03/08/2021 - 11:38
      -1

      Yeah, what a loser!
      Imagine being anxious about a global pandemic that has killed millions!

      • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 04:26
        -1

        It is a pandemic, but we have safety standards in place. Nothing is perfect but we need to trust that the health officials know what they are doing.

        • JelIyfish on 04/08/2021 - 11:22
          +1

          Safety standards haven't been strong enough and they aren't being followed.
          Have you been paying attention to anything that has been happening in the past 5-6 weeks?

          • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 12:04

            @JelIyfish: This is such a poor attitude to health.

            Great, don't trust anyone.

            The health department admitted that it was dangerous.

            They shut the sector, then made appropriate conditions mandatory and then reopened it up.

            The past is not applicable to these new standards.

            Follow the standards, be safe.

            I have been frontline working through covid forever, exposed to potentially sick people in the community and hospital.

            Is there a risk, yep. Do we need to continue to provide all appropriate services to keep the system functioning, yes.

            There seem to be a lot of people who have no idea where their money is coming from. We cannot shut the entire system forever.

            • JelIyfish on 04/08/2021 - 12:47

              @mdavant: I have a poor attitude to health by saying that standards haven't been high enough, and haven't been followed?
              I have a poor attitude to health by saying that the OP has a valid reason to feel anxious in the current environment?
              Are we living in the same world?

              • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 13:27

                @JelIyfish: No we are not.

                If you don't believe that adhering to the workplace standards is sufficient to allow essential workers to work then you are over the top.

                Otherwise, close all grocery stores, pharmacies, medical centres, service stations etc immediately.

                Are you truly advocating that it is too dangerous to work in essential jobs if you do the right thing?

                Seriously , does anyone want to work anymore? We seem to be breeding an entitled handout society.

                • JelIyfish on 04/08/2021 - 13:52

                  @mdavant: Sorry it took a while to reply, I was just out picking up my essential coffee, reject shop and Bunnings supplies.

                  I never said close them down, make them car park click and collect only. This should have been done weeks ago.

                  I’ve never asked or received a handout?

                  Most of your post is non sequitur which makes it hard to follow what you are replying to.

                  • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 13:58

                    @JelIyfish: Avoiding the substance.

                    I will reiterate

                    Essential work is being carried out for the benefit of the community.

                    There are sectors which are deemed essential

                    There are standards that need to be met (and trades seem to have some of the best protections)

                    Anyone who can work with protections should, for the benefit of the community.

                    Got it?

                    Ps carpark click and collect still exposes workers, those others yeah.

                    • JelIyfish on 04/08/2021 - 15:06

                      @mdavant: You sound like someone who gets off on being classified as being 'essential' while trudging off to flip burgers.

                      It is an indictment on humanity that money and politics is put before health, clearly you disagree but I am very comfortable with my position.

                      All the best staying safe :)

                      • mdavant on 04/08/2021 - 15:37

                        @JelIyfish: Safety can only be provided at a cost.

                        If I flip burgers because it is essential, I am helping my fellow man.

                        But the door swings both ways.
                        If it is deemed safe to work, then the person should work. So that they can help provide the resources to keep the community safe.

                        But then again it seems like some of us just love those handouts the government gives. (Whilst genuinely needed by most are sorted by some).

  • pogichinoy on 03/08/2021 - 01:21
    +2

    Get the AZ vax. Wear your mask and follow safety protocol.

    Or quit and find a safer job.

    • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 05:03
      +2

      I fear for community members who are so fearful of covid when the inevitable reopening occurs.

      Our tolerance of risk is so low.

      • gimme on 03/08/2021 - 07:58
        +1

        Only for some risk. Judging by the popularity of KFC and alcohol.

        • Mr Haj on 03/08/2021 - 08:09
          +2

          yep I think it is more a case of people not wanting to go back to work and using covid as an excuse.

          • pogichinoy on 03/08/2021 - 08:32

            @Mr Haj: Agree. I know people who openly admit to me that they are not super concerned about covid and returning to the office, but are using anxiety, their kids, etc as an excuse to avoid heading back into the office.

            Workplace laws may be on their side.

            • mdavant on 03/08/2021 - 09:13

              @pogichinoy: "Workplace laws may be on their side"

              So is govt financial support, especially for sole traders.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2021 - 08:55
    +3

    Get back to work m8

  • surg3on on 03/08/2021 - 09:19
    +1

    d

    • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2021 - 09:20
      +5

      Well said

      • surg3on on 03/08/2021 - 09:22

        Dang I was editing the mistype. I was going to say I may be out of a job in the next hour so…. I am not concerned much about needing a jab and a mask! Yeah I'll do that for food.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2021 - 09:45
          +2

          Well said

          • surg3on on 03/08/2021 - 11:11

            @[Deactivated]: Well I did find out that our business is merging. So the odds arent good that im employed by the end of 2022.

  • caitsith01 on 03/08/2021 - 10:01
    +1

    Serious suggestion, join your trade union and talk to them.

    As a general proposition, your employer has a very heavy obligation to keep you safe at work. If they cannot guarantee your safety they may be breaching the law. Your union would be the best placed to advise you of your rights and, if necessary, assist you.

  • Big Lenny on 03/08/2021 - 10:05
    +5

    are you anxious because you had a sweet deal staying home and getting paid, now the realization you have to go back to work daunts you?

  • Big Lenny on 03/08/2021 - 14:42
    +3

    OP is still too anxious to reply to any comments in this thread it seems

  • BOGOF on 03/08/2021 - 15:45

    To be fair OP did respond once……
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/10819700/redir

  • seraphim2017 on 03/08/2021 - 19:39
    +1

    Construction was shut because even though they wrote safe working practices they didn't follow them. This meant with any movement they became spreading hubs. Limit the number of premises you visit and sign in and out, and wear PPE properly and keep your distance. Designing crew systems to prevent crews mingling is easy. Getting them to act in their own self interest and do it is hard!

    Follow the damn protocols and make sure you report the selfish fools that don't. It's really not hard. People are relying on government to mandate self responsibility and common sense. Even if it's not mandated just use your brains people!

    The priority should be to get kids safely into schools fast so we don't end up with another generation of genius level intellects who think Facebook is "research"!

  • whatgift on 03/08/2021 - 20:19

    From memory, construction continued in Victoria last year when the situation was a lot worse.

  • Top G on 04/08/2021 - 15:14
    +1

    I feel for you OP, especially if you live with someone at risk in your household. Regular working people paying the price for the beurocrats screw up.

    I would mention your concerns and maybe they will limit travel to lesser risk LGAs, not sure what you can do though.

  • isthisreallife22 on 05/08/2021 - 22:44
    -3

    Pretend you were at a contact tracing site with mandatory 14 day isolation

    • Peter Enis on 06/08/2021 - 09:37

      Haha saw the same on news.com.au and immediately thought the same thing!

    • rektrading on 06/08/2021 - 13:35
      +1

      People get what they deserve.

      “He’s been charged with conveying false information that a personal property is in danger, which is under the Crimes Act and carries a five-year penalty.”

      People that don't want to work should do the right thing and quit. This will give other people that are desperate for work an opportunity to make a living.

    • pogichinoy on 09/08/2021 - 10:58

      Straya!!

  • tisRmac on 06/08/2021 - 16:14

    So hopefully that's not OP

    https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7373753/wollongong…

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