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

Or, what gives a person who isn't exempt, is vaccinated but very anxious precedence over a medically exempt person? I agree Galaxy "a very slippery slope".

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.

Is it though? What gives a medically exempt person precedence over someone who isn't exempt, who is vaccinated, but who is very anxious? Or with someone at home who is ECV and they don't want to risk taking the virus home with them?

It's a difficult situation, because of course we don't want to curtail the activities of someone who is medically exempt, but we also need to show consideration to those who are worried or frightened.

I’d tell the management, OP, and def. refuse to work with her. How dare she wear an ‘exempt’ lanyard when she has no medical reason to?

IMO anyone who genuinely is exempt should have to wear an officially issued lanyard. It’s IMO a massive flaw in the U.K. rules - and always has been - that anybody who doesn’t feel like wearing one can say they’re exempt - and nobody in shops or on buses etc, can challenge them.

In certain other countries they’ve always been much tougher - I can recall seeing ‘Masks Obligatory’ signs outside French shops, none of the cringing, ‘Please wear a face covering’ you see here.
Not that I’d go as far as whatever country it was where they had police in tube stations whacking with a baton anyone who wasn’t wearing one - but the U.K. is IMO far too soft on this.

As Galaxy has posted if it isn't mandatory where you work how could your request be implemented Lizbethannan? Has she actually told you she isn't medically exempt?

Definitely talk to your manager about this and say you’d rather not work with her if at all possible.

But if you wouldnt object to someone medically exempt then what you are really objecting to is her opinion. I am not having a go as I understand it's a difficult situation. But I dont see how that could be implemented in an employment situation if you are in a job where vaccines arent mandatory.

Tbf, she is at more risk than you would be.

Speak to your manager and say that you don't want to work with anyone not wearing a mask if they are not medically exempt.

If your workplace has a policy that masks should be worn, then staff should do that.

Galaxy. You are right. But my colleague isn't medically exempt at all. She just genuinely doesn't believe in it. I also think that hardly any one should really be exempt from wearing masks. Anyone who works in a hospital has to wear a mask. My DD's best friend and colleague is seriously asthmatic but wears a mask all day and every day. If she didn't she couldn't go to work.

I think you should mention your concerns to you manager but if it happens that you have to work with her there is not much you can do about it

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.

It might not happen but it sounds as though it is a concern for you.
If it happens just say you prefer not to work with her due to covid worries. You are justified in keeping yourself safe.

I’d tell your manager now what your concerns are, so that he/she is aware in advance and can endeavour to prevent you having to work with her. If it’s impossible, you can also discuss with the manager what can be done to mitigate the risk to you then, eg working in separate rooms, she could be instructed to wear a mask, or whatever?

I think it would not bother triple vaxxed me but you can only decide on how you feel. I don't think a refusal would be altogether unjustified. Hope it stays hypothetical.