My job is attempting to accommodate, but since I have some grandparent care available, I’m expected in until the base closes. WFH is only an extreme measure right now.
DH’s work has literally said nothing. They have never shutdown for anything in the 13+ years we’ve been together. They’re the largest employer in the state and a defense contractor. I doubt they will fully shutdown.
Post by thelurkylulu on Mar 15, 2020 9:26:23 GMT -5
I don’t have the option to WFH so I’ll be going in until if/when they shut everything down. I am not sure if we will get paid if we are not working and I’m worried for my coworkers for cannot survive without their income.
On another note, DD called off today from her cashier job at a large chain grocery store. Her manager got super shitty with her and I am so annoyed about it. She has asthma and we discussed it and neither one of us were comfortable with her going in. But honestly, fuck any employer who gives an employee crap for calling off right now. I know grocery stores are overwhelmed, but your high risk employees have a right to prioritize their health.
My job is attempting to accommodate, but since I have some grandparent care available, I’m expected in until the base closes. WFH is only an extreme measure right now.
DH’s work has literally said nothing. They have never shutdown for anything in the 13+ years we’ve been together. They’re the largest employer in the state and a defense contractor. I doubt they will fully shutdown.
This pisses me off, not you but the people who think because you have “grandparent care” you should be at work. Isolation is isolation and it is especially important to keep grandparents away from others (ie kids) right now.
DH is probably going to work normally throughout this. There's only 9 people in his office and they all have their own offices. I told him they should stop eating lunch together daily but other than that I'm not overly worried about needing to limit contact.
I left my job Feb 13 after sending a "letter of demand" from an attorney. There's been a settlement but my job prospects right now are most definitely NOT what they were then.
I'm so angry with myself over this. I was fine, my job was secure and would have totally been accommodating if the kids' school closed. Now I couldn't even take a job if one was offered because of that unknown.
I was so proud for standing up for myself and look where it fucking got me.
Post by killercupcake on Mar 15, 2020 9:56:37 GMT -5
As of right now, I am working as usual. They’ve yet to shut down our schools. I’m becoming increasingly worried. My department chair suggested that I only allow kids to stand in my doorway when they come to my office; she really wants to minimize close contact. I was on the fence about it yesterday when she brought it up to me but now I think it’s a really good idea.
H’s company released a statement last week that said for the next two weeks, if you’re feeling ill at all, stay home. They’ll pay you and you won’t need to take PTO. They’re also encouraging working from home if your job allows it. H is security, so he isn’t able to do that but they’ve started screening all vendors and clients before they’ll allow them in the building.
I’m a little pissed that a data center is taking this more seriously than my school district but what do I know?
I’m working from home FT and and EXTREMELY lucky that my employer is paying anyone their regular pay for time they need to take off to deal with the virus, including childcare for school closures. My H has a job that doesn’t have that option. Right now he works with various local businesses in person at their offices/restaurants/stores, but I fear that will soon switch to residential settings. His company will not close and it’s very unlikely they will do anything to help employees via paid leave when schools are closed. I am worried he will bring it home, and pass it to his parents who help with childcare once a week. Nothing we can really do though, since we can’t go without his income.
Post by oliviapope on Mar 15, 2020 10:46:25 GMT -5
Like a previous poster I work at courthouse where it's business as usual (expect jury duty has been cancelled. I'm shocked no one in the office has come down with anything with as many people we see.
As far as I know there are no plans in place to send the nonessential employees to work from home. I just Lysol everything.
Post by snapoutofit on Mar 15, 2020 11:48:59 GMT -5
I work at a small private PT practice. So far we are still open but DS’s school is closed for the next two weeks at least. Normally I work 5 days a week, 5 hrs a day. My boss is consolidating my schedule so H and I can alternate being home. I talked with my boss yesterday and he said that we would close if it is required. Personally, I’m surprised patients are still coming in. Some have held their therapy as their work has closed so they can’t/don’t want the co-pay in case of loss of income. If I was out of work for prolonged period of time we can live on H’s income as mine goes directly to savings. We are so lucky to be in this position. H could work full time from home indefinitely if needed.
Post by hungrycaterpillar on Mar 15, 2020 12:06:12 GMT -5
I’m a physical therapist. I used to post here fairly regularly but took a break. I run an outpatient clinic and I’m just praying patients cancel. I have minimal control over who walks through my doors and while we have signs and are encouraging people to stay home if they have symptoms, my company expects us to continue providing care.
I’m torn on it. My other patients still have very real needs but I don’t want to infect my family over someone’s total knee replacement.
It’s tough. I’m just relieved I don’t work in acute care anymore but then I also feel guilty for feeling that way.
I'm working as usual even though the schools are closed down statewide. I have contract negotiations going on with a couple districts, and there are a few coming up this coming week prior to Spring Break. So far I still have two separate meetings scheduled with members for bargaining strategies tomorrow, and the bargaining session scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is still up in the air--depends on what the district and my members want to do.
One of my co-workers has been sick and self quarantined for the past 10 days. She's developed a fever and STILL hasn't been able to get in to be tested as tests are woefully in short supply. She is staying in touch with her peeps though, and I know she has been working on documents and such from home when she feels up to it.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
Post by sapphireblue on Mar 15, 2020 12:42:29 GMT -5
I work in a public library. Many libraries in my state have announced they are closed but not mine.
I am pretty sure they will say we are closing at some point today, but if they don't I am not going in tomorrow. I think many of the public service staff are going to call out.
If we close to the public but say staff should work or use PTO I will probably go in.
I drive there and I can easily avoid being close to people as I walk to the back door. If I use a wipe or towel or whatever to open any doors many staff are touching I think I can stay away from others for the most part once I am in the building. But I'm not sure yet what I will do.
I’m in benefits so our work in is very paper heavy. We also have PHI and HIPAA documents so it’s very sensitive information. The higher ups are discussing all the ins and outs on how, if needed, we could work from home. I definitely think that, while it’ll have some difficulties, it’s possible in a situation like this.
Post by verycontrary247 on Mar 15, 2020 13:00:46 GMT -5
I do IT support for my cities fire department. I'm considered essential personnel so I'll be going in.
I'm very nervous, considering: 1. I'm pregnant. Most of the information on the effects of covid-19 on pregnancies is on women in their third trimester. 2. I interact with firefighters, police officers and first responders on the regular. I'm concerned I'll get infected from one of them unknowingly.
wildrice, yes, I can pretty effectively train him via webex and phone conferencing. I still don’t actually even know when he’s getting into town. And our HR director mentioned some sort of quarantine period if he’s flying, which means I basically wouldn’t be able to see him anyway. I need to try to figure it out today to determine whether or not I’m going in tomorrow. He must not be checking email, so I need to try to find his number.
As for my new job, I think I’ll know more on Tuesday after my call with my director and boss. It would be nice if things don’t get pushed, but we’ll see. DH pointed out that if I do get to start during this, it will make for great interview fodder about dealing with challenges in the workplace.
I don’t have the option to WFH so I’ll be going in until if/when they shut everything down. I am not sure if we will get paid if we are not working and I’m worried for my coworkers for cannot survive without their income.
On another note, DD called off today from her cashier job at a large chain grocery store. Her manager got super shitty with her and I am so annoyed about it. She has asthma and we discussed it and neither one of us were comfortable with her going in. But honestly, fuck any employer who gives an employee crap for calling off right now. I know grocery stores are overwhelmed, but your high risk employees have a right to prioritize their health.
Honestly, it’s difficult. I’m not asking people for reasons for calling out, because I don’t want my judgement to show. Some people are straight up panicking for no reason, while others have legit concerns. Everyone gets the same grace, because I’m not about opening myself up to anymore liability right now, but I would be lying if I said it wouldn’t affect how people are scheduled going forward. For example, I’m likely to be much more lenient for people who were already travelling when the self quarantine restrictions were put in place, and less so for people who chose to travel anyway, forcing me to replace them during their vacation and for 14 days after.
Working as usual, in healthcare. No option to WFH. DH may start WFH this week as it is usually only an inclement weather option, it may be a mandatory thing. DD is 11 and stays home on Mondays already (school district goes Tuesday-Friday).
Only if things got real bad could I see my employer having us cancel visits and only extremely essential employees need to work (RN for severe cases that need managing).
I work in a family owned lab. I suspect our volume will slow down but someone still has to be in everyday. I already told my boss I’m going to have to work reduced hours because of the kids bring out of school and they are fine with it. They are a married couple with no kids so I don’t think they are probably taking it super seriously...I’m willing to bet the husband isn’t but the wife probably is a little more. He already told me he talked to his friend that is a doctor and we don’t need to really worry about it 🙄 but they are always the type to say do whatever you need to do so that’s good at least.
DH will be working from home when he can. Next week he’s off most of the week but this week he was already booked for a ton of stuff so he’s going in. I’m thinking his company will make everyone wfh at some point and they will be slow anyways.
Post by 2cts1dg2kds1hmstr on Mar 15, 2020 15:42:12 GMT -5
I work in healthcare. We are starting a screening process as of today. Every person will be stopped and screened before they can enter the parking lots. I will be helping with the screening process and we've been approved overtime.
DH works for a large utility company and cannot WFH. The kid's schools are also closed this week, on spring break next week and will return April 1st via e-learning.
Post by litskispeciality on Mar 15, 2020 16:21:04 GMT -5
My work closed Fri and is closed tomorrow to conduct a deep clean, but as far as we know right now we're back Tuesday. I hope we close even just to the end of the week, but we don't have laptops and we still deal with paper, so I can't even do work that needs to get done. I really worry either way, either exposure now in an open environment (cubes), or financial downfall if we don't work and it hurts our numbers.
Our students are on spring break this week, but there has been concern about moving to all online. A lot of students don't have computers or Wi-Fi at home, and some programs physically can't be done, online.
DH has to work no matter what, however they have "better procedures" in place if faced with exposure, and he works shifts, so hes not out everyday.
The client I consult for went 100% WFH on Friday with no set date back to return to the office. I appreciate it very much. DH is not set up like that yet but it's coming. He manages a small team of developers and has allowed all of them to work from home. But as a manager he feels obligated to come into the office to make sure everything is stable but not many people are in the office.
My H is in IT and likely won’t be able to WFH. He has a laptop, but all of his clients are dealing with their new WFH policies and he needs to be available to them and his team.
I work back office in financial services. I should be wfh soon, but I am increasingly terrified of what the economy will do to my job or my friends’ jobs.
As of the beginning of February, my job is paperless (minus incoming mail), so WFH may be an option if IT isn't too lazy to get me set up (most special projects I have for him take at least 5 reminders and two to three months to get action taken). Otherwise, i will need to continue to go in to our open floor concept office with 16 coworkers; virtually no walk in customers though, so that's good. My boss was willing to work with me regarding childcare, but I think we've got it covered with family. I am worried about my hubby though, as they were specifically informed that their already very strict sick-leave policies were in no way getting more lax through all of this (they don't need to adhere to governmental or labor law as they are the rails). They can't even get an engine with a clean shitter, let alone someone who disinfects between crews. Hubby has always brought his own disinfectant because they can be nasty, but we've only got so much Lysol / wipes / supplies. Shelves here are empty in Seattle. Hopefully my two 6 packs of TP will hold us till the crazies quit hoarding lol
Post by notsocreepylurker on Mar 15, 2020 18:00:47 GMT -5
My work sent out an email Friday that we could voluntarily work from home if needed. But I am still new (just starting my 6th week) so I don't feel that applies to me yet so I will be going in. We are a benefits company with a call center that needs to be functional. I don't know if they are allowing the call center employees to work from home too.
I don't think a lot of people are taking the closings seriously. I've seen multiple times on FB people mentioning they are at a packed event or venue. or advertising their St. Patrick's Day events.
if IT isn't too lazy to get me set up (most special projects I have for him take at least 5 reminders and two to three months to get action taken). l
Specific issues aside (like the one above) please be nice to your it departments (and everyone). If your organization wasn’t already supporting WFH from a top down perspective, the unreasonable requests being made of IT departments at the moment are crazy.
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
if IT isn't too lazy to get me set up (most special projects I have for him take at least 5 reminders and two to three months to get action taken). l
Specific issues aside (like the one above) please be nice to your it departments (and everyone). If your organization wasn’t already supporting WFH from a top down perspective, the unreasonable requests being made of IT departments at the moment are crazy.
Good point. Our IT dept has been working very hard to expand VPN capacity so everyone can work remotely if that call is made. I’m annoyed as hell that we are still being required to go in for desk jockey jobs. Yet here we are.
I’m wfh but my husband works with the public and I’m already having anxiety about him bringing germs into my house. I’m considering having him live in the basement for awhile to minimize his contact with our things.
My job is attempting to accommodate, but since I have some grandparent care available, I’m expected in until the base closes. WFH is only an extreme measure right now.
DH’s work has literally said nothing. They have never shutdown for anything in the 13+ years we’ve been together. They’re the largest employer in the state and a defense contractor. I doubt they will fully shutdown.
This pisses me off, not you but the people who think because you have “grandparent care” you should be at work. Isolation is isolation and it is especially important to keep grandparents away from others (ie kids) right now.
Figured I would update since I've logged in this morning. They are invoking our COOP and having everyone do a telework day Thursday. So it seems my office itself is finally taking things seriously.
My boss, FWIW, did ask if I needed to WFH all week because as a father of 3 and a grandfather of 1, he realizes that as parents we have to be able to accommodate as much as we can.
Post by lightbulbsun on Mar 16, 2020 7:57:01 GMT -5
My company is currently still in the office. I'm not feeling super comfortable working here today - we have 160 people in my office, and we're all in big open work areas.
Post by mrsukyankee on Mar 16, 2020 8:40:39 GMT -5
I work in a university counselling centre. Classes are cancelled but our services are not (I'm really hoping we go to online counselling). I did two online sessions today as kids didn't want to come in. I've a few more who have done so for sessions this week. My H is working this week and home the next but not permanently - so he may have to go back to work the following week. Ugh.