JoeBloggs
VIP Member
I doubt this means anything, he's probably embarrassed.
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Fizzwhizz2020
Chatty Member
He probably does have asthma. There’s no reason for him to lie is there? A lot of people with breathing issues cough a lot and the NHS probably won’t test him anyway. If he does have asthma he will also be high risk and not wanting to catch it. Don’t think you should worry so much hun
WhatABore
VIP Member
I have asthma and another thing that makes me cough a lot and I get constant stares every time I cough. I understand others concerns but I know 100% it's the same cough I've had for years.
Only thing you can do is keep your distance if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
But if he's been coughing for weeks, that pretty much confirms what he's saying
I've had a cough for years due to 2 conditions.
Symptoms are a new cough.
Everyone that has anything wrong with them that causes a cough can't be made to stay at home 24/7
littlepup
VIP Member
Sorry you’re right, it’s changed. Previously I couldn’t get one due to not losing the smell/taste.
Still, if it isn’t a new cough, they wouldn’t be eligible. Of course they could lie but there’s a wait time. If the company is prepared to pay while they’re off, I guess that would be acceptable.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the fella in question turned out to have Covid, but it would be discrimination to force him to stay home until he can prove it and where does that stop? Does he need to prove he hasn’t got TB either? That’s the point imo
You’re right, a little kindness goes go a long way so that’s why you’d hope that people would understand that there are other conditions that can cause a cough. Conditions people have to live with everyday and are now causing them to be treated like outcasts, jeopardising their livelihoods. People have the right to their concerns but they also have the right to not have their private health information made public and not be discriminated against. IMO management should be saying it’s dealt with and not divulging his health conditions.Honestly this thread has really shown some peoples true colours. Were in the middle of a pandemic thats killed thousands of people, one of the main symptoms is a cough. Anyway has the right to be concerned about someone who is coughing continuesly in this present time. Eapecially if they also live with someone high risk.
The world is crazy at the minute and I know alot of people are stressed, worried ect but please remember a little kindness goes along way
It reminds me of HIV workplace discrimination.
If you’re making people prove they don’t have Covid in this scenario, it’s only a step away from making people prove they don’t have other diseases because they have ONE visible, possible symptom.
I’ll say no more and yes people are in a heightened state of alert, more fragile, but unless they know it’s a new, continuous cough as per guidelines, it’s entitled to suggest someone should be tested when they could be asymptomatic themselves. It’s discrimination whatever way you cut it.
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JoeBloggs
VIP Member
You said and I quote 'my boss said she could move me but the office has no windows so no fresh air circulation and need to be by the printer for this role !!'.
You boss has offered you other options, you are working more than 2 meters away from this person. You work can literally do no more for you if you need to be by a printer.
The man gave his explanation for a cough, but it seems you are not happy to accept it or compromise on your need to be next to a printer. He hasn't done anything wrong.
allforthegram
VIP Member
Hmm a difficult one, i understand your Concerns, but equally someone coughing doesn’t immediately mean they have covid, there are still many many other reasons.
Keep your mask on, make sure it’s an appropriate one, keep up your sanitisation and maybe escalate your concerns in writing to your manager and just have a friendly word with your colleague?
good luck!
WhatABore
VIP Member
I personally think regardless of the guys result, the OP will possibly lie as the thread has gone against them
Omg the other day I was queuing at the post office and felt a sneeze coming but forced myself to hold it as I didn’t want to get the weird looks (even though sneezing isn’t a sign of covid) I almost wet myself in the processI don’t have asthma or anything but sometimes I get scared to cough at the supermarket. Last time I did, people gave me weird looks, so now I try and hold it in and look like this
JoeBloggs
VIP Member
Exactly this. I really don't think its someone's place to speak to them about their coughing. Fair enough raise it with HR if you have concerns, but it is not an employees role to question with health of a fellow employee.The thing I've learnt is you cannot manage other people's behaviour, only your own. It can be frustrating or worrying but I just ensure I am doing what I feel is the right thing to do for me (whilst respecting others). Some people don't seem to social distance so I just move rather than get cross.
So I think the best course of action is to move away from this person or work from home. He cannot (and should not) be penalised for his asthma, its unfortunate that he has a cough and I get why its made you worry, but he's explained and you have to accept that I think.
If you feel unsafe, you need to raise it with your HR, do what you can to keep yourself safe or alternatively work from home.
He doesn't need to explain himself. His medical conditions are not public business. He's agency, he probably isnt going to be there long so why on earth would he tell anyone.
JoeBloggs
VIP Member
But the answer is the same. Work from home or stay away from him. You don't seem happy that people didn't agree that he should have been made to have a test.
He may well be back in the office tomorrow, so if you are not happy with him being there, request to work from home or move seats.
I get that. I just feel like the poor guy is being accused of having Covid and risking people's health and their families just because he has a cough that he has reasonably explained is due to his asthma.How I read it was that she had gone to work and there was someone coughibg continuously. She didn't say it was new but she didn't say it was an ongoing thing either. Hence why i addressed both
My husband is clinically vulnerable. I work in a hospital. I worked through the whole of the first lockdown and the second. I take all the appropriate precautions to keep myself, my family and my colleagues safe. I get the OP's concerns but I just feel it's unfair on thus guy because there has been insinuations that he has Covid and also that he is agency and doesn't get paid if he doesn't come to work. I might have read that wrong as I'm tired but I just feel this is all a bit unfair on the guy who, imo hasn't done anything wrong.
Right, now I'm off to scoff my advent calendar
Leahhutchinson
Chatty Member
So why can't you work in the other office and walk to the printer? I have asthma and It makes me so anxious when I'm coughing and I would hate to think my colleagues are all thinking I have covid (and I work in health care in a very busy hopsital ward so have to wear a mask for 12 hours a day). Keep your mask on for the day or move offices and walk to the printer and just think how he may be feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to pay his bills
Countrybumpkingirl
Chatty Member
I am at high risk, so rather than panic, I just keep away from people and make sensible choices. I think people are being almost too precious but have no issues breaking/flaunting lockdown when it suits them (not saying OP is doing this I am talking about Joe Public)
mermaidexoxo
Active member
I suffer badly with seasonal asthma. If I’m in a cold and dry environment I am coughing non stop. You have every right to be concerned however If you notice any other symptoms from him, I.e temperature, fatigue, going to the loo a lot with the runs flag it up to management or speak to him directly if he’s showing signs he needs a test. Try not to worry too much but also take into consideration a lot of covid cases can be asymptomatic too. So people who aren’t coughing could also have the virus. Including yourself.
Laur91
VIP Member
huh? If he told his manager he has asthma cos his manager asked then yeah, he explained himself? Why does he have to declare to his colleagues that he has asthma? It’s none of anyone’s business!
surely this is more reason for you to be understanding? What if you or your husband were coughing at work and you said ‘oh I’ve got asthma’ and then continued to be accused of lying or speculated over? :/ why is it not possible that he just has asthma, like you?
JoeBloggs
VIP Member
Your work have done what they can, your over 5 meters away from him. They have offered you an alternative office, I am not really sure what else you expect them to do?
If he took a test he could easily be positive tomorrow. Someone else in the office could also be positive but asymptomatic.
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GiggleBee
VIP Member
Honestly this thread has really shown some peoples true colours. Were in the middle of a pandemic thats killed thousands of people, one of the main symptoms is a cough. Anyway has the right to be concerned about someone who is coughing continuesly in this present time. Eapecially if they also live with someone high risk.
The world is crazy at the minute and I know alot of people are stressed, worried ect but please remember a little kindness goes along way
The world is crazy at the minute and I know alot of people are stressed, worried ect but please remember a little kindness goes along way
No style rocky
Well-known member
The OP said everyone they'd asked irl agreed with their concerns, so what was the point asking/sharing this on tattle? I feel bad for this guy, no doubt he was picking up on an atmosphere in the office environment