Just learned someone at my Covid job tested positive

[alphafemale]

And I was also told the other day that I go back to my long term job of nearly 12 years 7/13. It will be at home until at least the first of the year and is desk/data. I had been in office.

I was going to work my remaining scheduled days at the temp job (supermarket deli,) because I did not want to leave them struggling, especially on a holiday weekend.

However, I just received an email today that an employee at the store tested positive.

Should I tell them to shove it and protect my own health now that I have been given an exit door?

Or should I be that "work ethic"...again?

[ananda]

1. You'll be ok. Wear your mask and sanitize.

nt

[mzmolly]

2. Tell them to shove it

and protect your health.

[KPN]

3. If you can handle it financially, take care of yourself first. We are all in this together, but

what that realistically means is that we are all mindful about our own and everyone else's health and exposure above everything else. Unless they have contact tracing that shows that the individual did not have contact while contagious in the workplace, I'd explain to your employer that you are not willing to risk your and others' health. The employer needs to be responsible here. Have you been tested? If not and there's a chance you may have been exposed, might be a good idea.

[demmiblue]

4. I think you should do what you think is best for yourself.

Does the store require customers wear masks/mandate employees to wear masks correctly?

I went to the store this morning and noticed that one of the Deli employees was wearing her mask covering her mouth only (thanks goodness I never purchase anything from the deli).

[bluedye33139]

5. Protect your own health and don't go

But I don't think that that is telling them to shove it. Protecting your own health and avoiding infection is a rational behavior, not a form of lashing out at them.

Someone at that job site has tested positive for COVID. That is a legitimate and rational reason to not want to be at that job site. You are absolutely in the right here, but I would suggest not framing it as telling them to shove it. That framework makes your choice combative and dramatic.

I'm sure they would understand if you say that you don't feel comfortable coming to work.

[alphafemale]

9. heh I wouldn't phrase it that way

But I do not think it is worth the risk when I can start working from home next week.

[jalan48]

6. If you don't have to work take a break. You'll never get the time back.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. If they do a deep cleaning and such (close the store, and deep clean), and of course protect...

yourself. If not, the office beckons you. I know that you have loyalty to the Deli, which is very commendable, a lot of people wouldn't give a crap. I think personally the city or some health agency would probably mandate that the deli undergo a deep cleaning or perhaps may even temporarily close the deli anyway, making the decision for you already to go back to the long term job.

[Shermann]

8. I've considered taking a year or two off myself

Resume gaps that long can be hard to explain away in a job interview during normal times, but the pandemic is an extenuating circumstance that most companies would accept. Or at least I hope they would...

[karynnj]

10. How many hours did you work on your permanent job?

When would you be expected to be available to communicate with co workers? It will be a transition even without the deli job to work from home, although likely not a tough one. If it were me, I would think very hard about whether the deli job could make me less successful in my permanent job.

As to the deli, after you think out what you want to do, tell them you are returning to your permanent job, thank them for hiring you and maybe, if it right for you, tell them that dependent on the time slots, in s pinch, you would be willing to work if they need you. As you are trained, already in their payroll system, and know everyone, that could be seen as an attractive offer.

[alphafemale]

12. I will have been at the permanent job (edit) 12 years in August

Last edited Fri Jul 3, 2020, 12:56 PM - Edit history (1)

I already told a manager I had been offered my position back and she actually said, "So is this your last day?"

[BGBD]

11. Ask this....

How would they treat you if the shoes were reversed and it was even just SLIGHTLY more beneficial for them to fire you rather than keep you. They would show you the door without even the first thought about "Let's keep them for a couple of weeks because that'll give them time to find a new job."

It's a temp job and you have your old job back in sight. Unless you absolutely need the money between now and when you get your other check back, I'd hit the bricks.

[enough]

13. Take a break, refresh, and go back to your permanent job. NT

[Native]

14. Do what's best for you & yours - you owe them nothing

When was the last time you heard about a business sacrificing its welfare for the sake of its employees?

[Hekate]

15. Quarantine yourself starting today. You were exposed on that job, so yeah.

Best of luck.