So far only a hypothetical situation, but what would you do?

No. I’m just not a worrier.

Baggs

Shandy3

Baggs
Triple vaxxed or nit, did you not realise that approximately 15% if the population the vaccines will not be effective on? I guess none if us will know if that's us until we contract it! Therefore be as wary of non-vaxers as you can be!

I'm as 'wary' of non-vaxxers as I am of people with a stinking cold or flu. I'm not going to worry and warify myself more than that.

That’s the sort of thing that my covid denying acquaintances say. Do you just think that covid is just a touch of flu or a bad cold then ?

In your place I would discuss my concerns with my immediate superior at work AFTER I had asked the advice of my union.

Rather than saying you do not want to work with her, as she is one of those who refuse to be vaccinated, or take other precautions, say that her attitude and failure to take tests or be vaccinated concerns you and make constructive suggestions as to how the risk for you and others in the office can be minimized.

These could be always sticking to the distancing regulations, using hand disinfectants, wearing a mask, and either having a window slightly open at all times, or airing the office thoroughly for ten to fifteen minutes every hour or hour and a half.

By making constructive suggestions, which if appropriate could also be a suggestion that she or you work from home, you come across as concerned but able to see the broader issue that the work has to be done and are tactfully suggesting a resolution to a problem that presumably is not only worrying you.

However recently and often we have been vaccinated we are still at risk of contracting Covid 19 if we or others behave irresponsibly, although happily, we should stand a good chance of not becoming as seriously ill as the unvaccinated.

Wearing masks protects others from any germs or vira we exhale to a far greater extent than they protect us from inhaling germs and vira.

She has her Human Rights but in return so do you. If l were in this situation l would keep the matter entirely professional and not personalise it. I would ask for a meeting with my Line Manager whereby l would state my concerns without judgement or accusation and plainly state that the worry this matter is causing you is affecting your mental health. If you wear a mask that just protects the other person - you are still vulnerable. I dont know the logistics of your working environment but your organisation through your Line Manager has a duty of care toward you. If l didn't get a positive response l would ask for a further meeting with my Line Manager and a member of HR /Union. Sometimes Managers do not feel empowered to deal with a matter and welcome the support of HR and/or the Union. If you live with a vulnerable person tell this in your submission. Remember keep it all strictly impersonal - it is a business matter albeit one that affects your mental health and could affect your physical health if you caught covid from this person and by default infect othets

I am not sure why are you concerned - you are vaccinated! if anyone should be concerned it is her...

Shandy3

Baggs
Triple vaxxed or nit, did you not realise that approximately 15% if the population the vaccines will not be effective on? I guess none if us will know if that's us until we contract it! Therefore be as wary of non-vaxers as you can be!

I'm as 'wary' of non-vaxxers as I am of people with a stinking cold or flu. I'm not going to worry and warify myself more than that.

Galaxy

Does that mean people would be allowed to say they wouldnt work with someone who is medically exempt because that's a very slippery slope.

Someone who is medically exempt, but who is aware of the danger of exposing others to their own possible infection, is likely to be reasonable enough to understand social distancing and care enough to cough and sneeze into a tissue and keep their distance.

I have a cleaning lady in this exempt group - we just take sensible precautions, and it's not a worry for me, or her.

But the woman in the article is a Covid-denier (or whatever they're called), and if she doesn't believe the virus exists might well be likely to not give a stuff about other people's concerns, or their safety.

Completely different kettle of fish.

I do wear a mask when it's required but as I have lung damage I could be genuinely exempt. Often leave OH at the check out and go outside to take it off so I can breathe easier. Really wish GPs had to issue exemption cards so genuine people like myself would be believed and those pretending would be outed.
However, I don't think masks do much to protect you as German's wear medical masks everywhere and still have very high infection rates. Sadly with 80% fully vaccinated in my area cases are still the highest in the county. At least the vaccine protects you from the severity of the virus.
If you are fully vaccinated like myself and wearing a mask then I can't see your problem. Vaccinated and unvaccinated can both catch and transmit the virus unfortunately.

Baggs
Triple vaxxed or nit, did you not realise that approximately 15% if the population the vaccines will not be effective on? I guess none if us will know if that's us until we contract it! Therefore be as wary of non-vaxers as you can be!

Just as she has the option not to believe in in the virus , vaccine or masks you also have the right to say you need to be protected against those things and be able to work in a safe environment as much as anyone can at this time. I would definitely speak to your line manager, also your union if you are a member just to get things on the record for your own a wellbeing.

My eldest DD (a front line worker) has covid and has been really unwell (I have been very anxious) she has had both vaccines and the booster! The vaccine refusers make me very angry

it's up to you to decide,my hubby son and I are vaccinated my 2 Dd and Sils are not, I wish they were but I can't refuse to let them in or I'd never see them again, so only you can decide

Is this a 'safety at work' issue? You are entitled to work in a safe environment. You could discretely talk to your Health and Safety officer, if you have one, and find out if there are policies covering this.

We're constantly being told wearing a mask protects others, not the wearer themselves, so you'd be quite justified in refusing to work with her. I've been a lifelong believer in 'your body your choice' but that simply doesn't apply when you put others at risk. Plus anyone vulnerable they might come in contact with in the future. The whole pandemic vaccination programme is like a chain, considerably weakened by people like your co worker.

So, to put it short, a lot of the anti vaxxers are just afraid of needles??it really beggars belief.How many needles do they think they may have to have if they go in hospital with covid?(!) My son detests needles, but was first to say he wanted a jab as soon as the vaccine was invented.Other day i had my booster, the young lady said it was done and i had felt NOTHING, nothing at all,shes good, i told her i wish it was her who did my regular INR tests ?(for warfarin)

grannygranby

Totally you are in your rights to refuse to work with her. Vaccinations only work if everyone takes a shot. It is supremely selfish and idiotic of her not to. And you definitely should protect yourself from the risk she poses.

I’m afraid the OP has no rights on this issue as the law stands a the moment. Unless of course we are talking about care homes. But that problem has been clarified.

I do not believe for one minute that masks significantly stop the spread of a virus that, like it or not, is now endemic in the population and will continue to be so like colds and ‘flu. There are many studies, sadly not broadcast about widely by the government or media, which confirm this. They are reputable studies by reputable scientists. However despite being truly medically exempt, I would myself wear a mask out of consideration in this situation, provided my own health did not suffer. If this lady is not medically exempt, she should come clean to her boss and take the consequences. I don’t think she’ll do this-but it would show the courage of her convictions! The OP has a right to her beliefs too after all. I might not agree with someone’s stance but I would fight for their right to have it! It’s what true freedom is about after all, masks or no masks.

Your manager doesn't seem too bothered having an unvaccinated person working there. Your opening post is very 'wordy'. Are you giving this person a chance to fully explain her reasons for not having the V, or are you cutting her off all the time. She may have reasonable doubts as to its efficacy. Perhaps you could suggest to the manager that you both sit apart. You say you've had all your vaccinations. Are you referring just to the covid ones or all your life's vaccinations from childhood to adulthood. If so, can I ask, how often you have to have boosters for all the non-covid vaccines? If the answer is 'No' because they gave you immunity, then perhaps you should start to question the efficacy of a vaccine that requires a booster every few months. After all that, if you are comfortable wearing a mask all day (I know I wouldn't be as I end up with chest pains within half an hour) then carry on doing so. As another commenter said, you are a bigger risk to an un-vaxxed person than they are to a triple (or soon to be quadruple) vaxxed person. Please, we all need to be kind and considerate. If the un-vaxxed person does research, please ask her to show you what she's found out.

This has to be put to management. In the company I work, everyone present has to wear a mask and socially distance. If certain staff cam' t do that, for whatever reason, they have to work from home. Those doing so are people with " known" medical issues
and able to work autonomously. If she is blatantly disobeying the rules, it is causing anxiety, ill feeling, sense of unfairness to others , one of whom is you. It is the manager' s job to address this problem and you shouldn' t have to worry yourself about it.

Send the lady in question to me, I'll soon convince her that covid is real

'I think it would not bother triple vaxxed me'.
You need to rethink.
You can still catch it, you can still pass it on.
No matter how many times you've neen 'vaxxed'.

Could it be that your symptoms (runny nose?) could be you're allergic in some way to the type of masks you are using? This does not seem atypical of asthma symptoms, it also seems like a partial panic attack if the gasping for breath soon alleviates when your sat being calm.

I very much doubt she is medically exempt and those lanyards can be bought online, genuine medically exempt from mask wearing people are unlikely to also be unvaccinated ridiculous antivaxxers and I do believe that if someone is unvaccinated through choice then you should be able to refuse to work with them without penalty , they are the problem not you

Triple vaxed or not, if the new omricon variant can evade vacienes it is an issue ? think I'd speak to your manager about it sooner than later in case there's something they can do to help

Bring your concerns to your manager and ask what the company policy is in this situation. Also ask how the company confirms mask exemption, it shouldn't just be because you don't want to do it. I absolutely believe that as an adult it's your right to refuse a vaccine, but with every choice we make there are consequences. People forget, that their individual rights do not exist in a vacuum, rights and responsibility for your choices go hand in glove.