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It’s tricky because attitudes/rules for getting tests vary regionally.
Based on what you say, your attitude is reasonable - getting a test is only allowed if you have symptoms, which you don’t have, so getting a test would require you to lie - so your reluctance is understandable.However, if your boss is under the assumption that anyone can get a test (rightly or wrongly), your position of reluctance seems potentially uncooperative.
Each person’s stance on the matter is defined by their belief about what testing is available. If you’re not allowed to get a test without symptoms, clearly you’re in the right. If anyone can get a test regardless of symptoms, it might appear you’re being awkward.
The reality lies somewhere in the middle no doubt, and clarity about who can get tested is probably the favourable way to resolve this.On a similar note, if anyone can get tested, the employer should be making that clear and providing evidence to that effect. HR will hopefully clear this up (although I appreciate that might be naively optimistic on my part).
In short tho, if you can’t get a test without lying and they’re trying to bully you into it, that’s bullshit, and HR won’t have a leg to stand on.
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Nef
My boss has got the arse because I wouldn't lie to get a free NHS Covid test and even specified it needed to be a PCR test. Two workshop fitters tested positive last week but I'm out driving all day so not really in contact with anyone. Anyway I WhatsApped my boss to say as I didn't have symptoms I couldn't get a test. He said others staff had said they had been asked to get a test, implying Test and Trace but not saying their employer had "asked" them. I said employers could not ask employees to get an NHS test and sent a GOV screenshot confirming it. He then accidentally sent me a msg, not intended for me saying I was being a prick and not wanting a test and that he'd get rid of me. My reply was that if I had a symptom I'd get a test but I don't.
He's now told me to isolate for 10 days and await a call from HR.
Even though the test is free I would be committing fraud by requesting one knowing that I don't fit the criteria for it.
I've taken screenshots of WhatsApp in case he deletes his comments.
Which of us is being the prick?