A call-out post was the last thing I expected to see from Ho Ching, but it is rather apt given the circumstances.
The chairman of Temasek Trust has slammed employers who request for MCs as “unconscionable and irresponsible”. Oof.
Called On Employers To Not Ask Staff To Get MC After Testing Positive
Echoing the sentiments of Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, she asked employers to stop asking employees to get medical certificates (MCs). Getting MC merely benefits our own bureaucratic and administrative requirements, and adds another burden to our healthcare system.
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To know more about this issue, watch this video to the end:
Additionally, sending a COVID-19 positive staff member to a clinic is just causing one more point of infection transmission, especially in a place with many potentially vulnerable people seeking real medical attention.
“That is unconscionable and irresponsible to put a known ART+ employee into a setting where there are lots of patients, who are sick, frail, and more vulnerable than the general population because their immune system is likely to be down when they are sick, old or frail and needing medical attention.”
Three Options for Employers
Instead of sending staff to get MC, Ho suggests three other ways employers can verify their staff’s status.
First option: an honour system. Trust your employees to do their antigen rapid tests (ARTs) at home, and ask them to mark their test cartridge with their name, date and time. A photo of their results can serve as a HR record in lieu of an MC.
Second option: do a supervised ART test. Set up a platform for a supervisor to witness the staff doing the test, and observe the results for themselves and take a photo. This can be done in real life, or on Zoom.
Third option: send the employee to a quick test centre to do a supervised ART test.
Employers should not be sending employees to general practitioners, polyclinics, or hospital emergency departments.
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Netizens’ Reactions
Although many netizens went on an angry tirade about how there are other reasons to visit clinics and get MC, which isn’t even the point of the post, there were a few suggestions in the comments as well.
One commenter suggested a remote or virtual quick test centre, as many COVID-19 positive people still take public transport to go to physical centres. A virtual centre would help reduce the possibility of more transmissions.
Many also said that these “should not’s” do not translate into “must not” in the employers’ eyes. If we really want to get to the root of the issue, the authorities may have to mandate that companies honour ART test results in lieu of an MC.
You can read her full post here:
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Featured Image: Facebook (Ho Ching) and Michele Ursi / shutterstock.com
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