Conspiracists in the Workplace

[ADW]

How are people handling employees that keep pushing their agenda against vaccines and covid rules etc? You know the type that have seen all the videos on facebook that prove it doesn't exist and how certain people have created it and trying to control everyone. We are obviously at an important stage now with vaccine roll out and I don't want conspiracy BS having an influence whilst in work. It is hard enough keeping on top of latest Government guidelines without people pushing in the opposite direction.

What action can be taken whilst not going against employee rights? I know what I would like to do but not the way it works these days.

 

[tan_lan]

Perhaps you deal with them the same way as people pushing for vacines.

 

[Mr D]

If they are doing the work, let them get on with it.
If they aren't doing the work then treat them as not doing the work.

Or perhaps a quiet word like 'Give it a rest'.

Ultimately they may choose not to have a vaccine themselves. However are you going to eventually cater for protecting those employees who don't get vaccinated?
Have a staff meeting, most crowd into one room while a few spread out keeping social distance in another.

 

[Paul Norman]

This is not a new challenge.

You get the evangelist for all kinds of causes in workplaces.

As such, it doesn't matter. Right up until one or both of two things starts to happen:

1. There work, and the work of others, is suffering because they spend all they time talking>
2. There persistent insistence that all the world is the playground of elves and demons who are manipulating them for reasons undefined, and that the boss is in on the deal, starts to pee off people to the point where motivation is impacted.

I remember quietly, and nicely, talking to a church going lad who had crossed both lines. Whilst reassuring him of my respect for his views, I reminded him that his was not the role of office chaplain. Nicely, of course.

 

[SillyBill]

How are people handling employees that keep pushing their agenda against vaccines and covid rules etc?.

I generally respect their right to an opinion. What are you running there? In my place the mess room is rife with discussion how it is all a load of BS and they listen to Talk Radio most of the day. I don't tell them what to think providing they do the job and follow the rules we set out. Whether they agree with the rules or not is not something I am too concerned with, I run the company, not them.

 

[simon field]

What action can be taken whilst not going against employee rights? I know what I would like to do but not the way it works these days.

In my experience (I’m 51), the best way to sort these things out is to have an argument about it.

A proper one as well. Don’t piss about. Get it done. Don’t get personal, just loud, firm & concise. Sort things out.

* when shouting, be at least 5 metres apart and not facing each other.

Failing that, a fight in the yard? (Socially distanced, of course)

 

[Alan]

What action can be taken whilst not going against employee rights?

First check with a specialist if they actually have any rights, you may be pleasantly surprised and can do what you like.

 

[billybob99]

Bounce their sorry @$$ out the door.

 

[Bob Morgan]

What action can be taken whilst not going against employee rights? I know what I would like to do but not the way it works these days.

EMPLOYER: How long have you been with us?
EMPLOYEE: Oh, about 18 Months
EMPLOYER: Yes, and I think that is quite long enough!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

In my experience (I’m 51), the best way to sort these things out is to have an argument about it.

A proper one as well. Don’t piss about. Get it done. Don’t get personal, just loud, firm & concise. Sort things out.

* when shouting, be at least 5 metres apart and not facing each other.

Failing that, a fight in the yard? (Socially distanced, of course)

Yes and take them out in the yard behind the old trailer, behind the old pile of scrap where nobody can see and argue with them there

 

[ADW]

1. There work, and the work of others, is suffering because they spend all they time talking>
2. There persistent insistence that all the world is the playground of elves and demons who are manipulating them for reasons undefined, and that the boss is in on the deal, starts to pee off people to the point where motivation is impacted.

That is basically the scenario. Any chance they get to go on about it they take and this is during work time not break. Most of the time they can talk about anything but when it is continuous propaganda it is no longer just chat.

Whoever walks past them gets questioned on the scenario. Totally obsessed with it. I have it sorted now so thanks for the advice and the usual smart a*sed posts as well, that come up on virtually every thread these days.

 

[simon field]

Unfortunately, you can’t control what people talk about!