Twit on a plane

[Ms. Toad]

7. That does really suck.

I'm about to have a really uncomfortable conversation tomorrow - largely on behalf of my employee who has much more at stake, but lacks the status or I-could-retire-tomorrow-so-I-don't-really-give-a-damn posture I have.

I've been back to work since August - 6-7 days a week, and feel pretty confident in my ability to protect myself. I have been masking all along, with well-fitting, multi-layered masks, and will continue to do so.

That said, the second-hand information I heard today is that we are not allowed to require students to wear masks in our office, not allowed to ask students if they are vaccinated, and not allowed to hold masked meetings in our office and meetings outside our office with students who aren't masked. Not allowed to post a sign requesting masking. It is all one or the other (no one in our office - or everyone in, regardless of masking).

I have already told her that, while I can't guarantee someone else won't take disciplinary action - I will not discipline her if she chooses to require students to mask in her office, or to meet in her office only with masked students (and elsewhere with others).

I find it unconscionable that we are being told that we are not allowed to set rules in our own offices that can keep us safe. She has small children, one with a condition that would make it very dangerous for her to bring COVID home.

So I expect that to be hashed out tomorrow when we are formally told the rules.

So - like you, I'm sticking my neck out on behalf of someone else. I'm not really questioning myself - but my employee should not have to fear job loss or discipline simply to do her job and keep her family safe.