The 46 year old British citizen, faces a three-week quarantine from his employers who told him that he needs to get the all-clear from a British doctor before he can go back to work. Below is the letter (in full) his direct boss sent to him
"I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria. Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return." Continue...
One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues. In this case I have to support their concerns especially as I have already voiced them personally to you. In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is the incubation period. I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us. I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.’Sam, who said he's on a zero-hours contract now worries about not being paid. He said:
‘Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I have to be cleared. There is this stigma surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance and a nightmare because I cannot work. I’m a British citizen. There is no justification for this at all.’The boss who sent the letter, Mr Mannell, later defended his position saying:
‘I did send Sam a letter saying anyone returning from any African countries for safety reasons cannot work for three weeks afterwards. I know Nigeria is Ebola-free but I don’t know where he’s travelled. My problem is that Pendennis [shipyard], which I have a contract with, sent me an email saying they cannot have anyone working there that’s been in contact with Sam."Source: Metro UK
ReplyDeleteThey are taking this Ebola thing too far
Firstly Linda, the heading is misleading. He was quarantined not banned. Secondly, you can't blame his employers.
DeleteAnonymous 2:35pm, is not quarantined but banned from work. They are not allowed to come to work place but still goes around. Also, some companies in the US called it paid leave until after 21days. Some schools did the same.
DeleteThis is no longer a case of Ebola cos Nigeria has been certified ok, it's now a case of indirect racism. They've been looking for a way to get dis guy out of d way and Ebola happens to have serve d purpose...
DeleteWhy are we this selfish, why can't we be objective in our judgement. Is there anything wrong with preventing oneself from contacting the virus and also protecting the interest of the larger society ? This man is not sacked nor banned, but was told to stay off work for 21 days in other to be sure he has not contacted the virus and also probably prevent others from being exposed. This is not stigmatisation, this is pure common sense. If I were in a position of authority, I would do the same thing to protect others. The guy should be concerned about being paid while he is off than looking for empathy. This is not a good case to fight stigmatisation.
DeleteThis is really appalling.
ReplyDeleteYour comment will be visible after approval
Hahahahahahaha this is very funny. ****QUEENMAYA******
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny here. Mumunatu!
DeleteYou can't blame them bro. Just go home and rest for 3 weeks. Play games, go to gym, eat and spend time with your God in prayers. perhaps, disappointment might be blessing in disguise.
ReplyDeleteHe's on a zero hours contract meaning he gets paid per hr, 3 weeks wit no pay is a lot after a foreign trip..my thot, cheers
Deletethey should free him biko..these people always unfair to blacks...
ReplyDelete#GodblessNigeria
Some people are so stupid, i feel sorry for him, anyway three weeks is not forever... it is well; Ebola is going to be "history" soon.
ReplyDeleteBlah!! Blah!!! Nonsense!!! Just looking for slightest opportunity to display there deep rooted racism!
ReplyDeleteWait out your 3 weeks then sue for a big pay day and quit!
ReplyDeleteCornwall is sparsely populated as regards black people, am surprised he lives there...#SeunLondon
ReplyDeleteWhat they did is normal. You can't trust anybody. 3 weeks at home will not kill him. Am sure Nigerians will soon jump online to haul insults at them. If we had taken such steps from the onset, Patrick wouldn't have landed his a** in our great nation. Protocols must be observed. In case you didn't read all the text, he said " I know Nigeria is Ebola free but i DO NOT KNOW where you went to". Mayb, d guy go greet person for Liberia. Who knows ?
ReplyDeleteIn agreement with u
DeleteSo, if I leave to go to Spain for a vacay now, how do they know I didnt "branch" Liberia? That is a very STUPID excuse. If everyone was that paranoid, what would happen?
DeleteThis is total discrimination.
ReplyDeleteHaha!!! Dat's nt fair.. W.H.O has declared our country of Ebola free..
ReplyDeletePhew! I know they still find it hard to accept the fact that Nigeria of all countries was able to surmount the threat of Ebola.
ReplyDelete~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA
www.chiquesapparel.com we deliver anywhere in port-harcourt.
ReplyDeleteAnd dis people are still on this Ebola stigma on Nigerians??? That's absurd
ReplyDelete#aproko#
Just get a clean bill of health and stop fussing.
ReplyDeletea.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
ReplyDelete.
Then he should go and collect a clean health bill before he could work.....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
na waoo ..wetin man do man?
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Let him rest for 3 weeks as long as he will be paid and there will be no discrimination.
ReplyDeleteYes, hard as it may seem, that is the way it goes. I'm visiting Naija soon and do not mind being cleared on my return. It is hard getting to see a Dr in London so it is a good opportunity to get checked over, especially since you pick up all sorts of germs in Naija. The guy will receive his sick pay anyway. He is just making unnecessary fuss.
ReplyDeleteYes, hard as it may seem, that is the way it goes. I'm visiting Naija soon and do not mind being cleared on my return. It is hard getting to see a Dr in London so it is a good opportunity to get checked over, especially since you pick up all sorts of germs in Naija. The guy will receive his sick pay anyway. He is just making unnecessary fuss.
ReplyDelete100 likes.
Deletewell their is no more ebola case again in NIGERIA
ReplyDeleteToo bad #bright bravo#
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing discriminatory here.Being conscious of health hazard is a welcome idea.Sam go and get a doctor's report and free yourself from more problems."Nigeria is Ebola free but we are not sure of other places you went" That is there fear.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing discriminatory here.Being conscious of health hazard is a welcome idea.Sam go and get a doctor's report and free yourself from more problems."Nigeria is Ebola free but we are not sure of other places you went" That is there fear.
ReplyDeleteLol....where were they when Nigeria was declared Ebola-free ehn?
ReplyDeletePlease click on my name for Fashion and fitness tips
he shouldn't have let the employer know he was going to nigeria
ReplyDeleteIt is just for three weeks and that is around the corner,so wait, since they call it safety precaution, let them exercise it.
ReplyDeleteSo u r afraid of death.
ReplyDeleteRubbish
ReplyDeleteI blame the British Government and the UN for this. Why can't they come up with a law against stigmatisation like this? Of course its because it has to do with Africa and Africans but its also an indirect insult to the UN since it simply means the WHO declaration of Nigeria as an Ebola free country is not to be regarded.
ReplyDeleteHe should do the same for anyone that travels to America as well. After all America has more ebola cases than Nigeria. Mtcheeew
ReplyDeleteHmm na WA ooo
ReplyDeleteAll Ds oyinbo people sef
I am guessing this will go on for a very very long Time...even after we have been cleared...its fine dere is GOD
ReplyDeleteWill they ask anyone visiting from/who has visited North America or Europe or even The US or Canada or Spain..or let's get even closer....even TX or GA or Dallas or Atlanta? Mr. Ogunnoiki, you're even a British Citizen, sue their ignorant asses! We would understand if you returned when Nigeria had not been cleared.
ReplyDeleteI work in Dubai and was warmly welcomed to the office after my vacation in Nigeria. Nobody even joked or commented about Ebola. It's so sad to see these things happen to my fellow Nigerians :(
ReplyDeleteFunny oyibo's I dnt blame them sha, they value their life more than anything not like Nigeria where people die on daily basis and yet the government still come publicly to say trash #onelovefromSnow#
ReplyDeleteThis man money just land. Sue the racist bastards jare and pack ya loads and return to naija.
ReplyDeleteThis is d height of stigmatization.... Preshy
ReplyDeleteStop discrimination
ReplyDeleteStop stigmatization
BORN TO SHINE!!!
So even the british are not fully civilised yet. That means we still have hope as africans.
ReplyDeletedis UK nd stigmatization is becomin sumtin else afterall Nigeria has been declare Ebola free by WHO
ReplyDeleteNa dem sabi thank God WHO has finally declared Nigeria Ebola free.
ReplyDeleteI am Coonett
To bad
ReplyDeletewww.chrisblend.com
Hope when my bro decides to come back dis stupid british fools wont stress him out.............................#KingOfKings #6ixGod
ReplyDeleteI have been reading stories about Ebola, allegations blah blah and blah. I am surprised the UK government would encourage this nasty hysteria in any workplace. I would still say that the US is the best place on Earth for anyone to live in, the US tries their best to quarantine, closely observe, and treat anyone whom they suspect alongside he/she's numerous contacts. No cases about workplace discrimination because statistically speaking people, many are aware of the mode of transmission. I wonder why countries like Australia and Canada would even close their borders and cancel visa issuance. I think countries should join hands to help fight this deadly disease
ReplyDeleteI think if i have to be honest, they are doing what is right. They do not want to give medicine after death. It is true u never can tell where he has traveled to. I am really sorry for him but God will see him through. If Nigeria was a better place, i am sure he would be in his country not the Uk. Even me, when i came back from Nigeria to Portugal, it was difficult for me too.. Even at the gym and so on. Na so we see am.
ReplyDeleteThis is just the usual smear campaign of the western world against Africa. Nigeria is ebola-free, so what kind of excuse is "we don't know where else he travelled to"? If he had gone to Texas (where Ebola has been reported), would he have been treated the same? Make dem yago comot for road jare!
ReplyDeleteThey said is for three weeks let him sit at home and enjoy himself for three weeks abi.but why the stigma when WHO has declared Nigeria Ebola free.
ReplyDeleteI no blame them shaa, even as my cousin show from Lag come ph for house, I use style dey avoid am for like a week b4 I come relax lols,
ReplyDeletewell i know it hurts Sam, but just do the test and forget about it. i wonder why people still don't understand the simply fact, NIGERIA IS EBOLA FREE.
ReplyDeletei study in the UK i know what i suffered from my classmates simply because i visited Nigeria, most of them even told me openly that they won't talk to me or even have contact with me until after 3weeks. so i guess i wasn't the only one.
Try this BS in Canada and the company will get sued.... UN has declared Nigeria Ebola free...how do you get this into their thick skulls?
ReplyDeleteso basically the ALL-clear WHO gave Nigeria means nothing ?
ReplyDeletePrevention is better than cure. I like people or countries with principles. if we were all conscious of risk the world would have been free from calamities, as a matter of fact, Nigeria wouldn't have experience the issue of EBOLA, BOKO HARAM, INSECURITY, CORRUPTION Etc. Though, other countries are not free from these challenges as a result of conspicuous carelessness. until we all chew with caution.
ReplyDeleteCe la vie. see this case: http://www.yournaija.com/2014/11/01/ebola-joke-flight-costs-passenger-e2500-fines/
ReplyDeleteON TOP COMMON SECURITY WORK? shoooo. . OYINBOs LOOK FOR THE SLIGHTEST REASON TO Discriminate against blacks. kilodeeeee. Hmnn. I hope no violence is brewing sometime Sony
ReplyDeletethat shows how disrespectful most Western World are to African Nations... Whoever visits USA and returns healthy will not be stigmatised but if you visit Nigeria and return healthy you will be stigmatised irrespective of the fact that WHO has certified Nigeria Ebola free.
ReplyDeleteDis is stupid oo
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you seem to constantly have a misleading headline just like the papers do. Half the things they write r lies.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Anonymous 10.01pm, you are not getting the point. If this man had gone to the US it would have been a different story even though there is still Ebola in the US. The man is not going to get paid for 3 weeks, I mean for a 46 year old struggling with a security job that is very harsh. If you live in the UK you will understand why the man is bitter. It might take him up to six months to catch up with his bills again. Now how is that fair
ReplyDeleteDid I hear right that his white wife was allowed to return to work? We should all condemn zero hours contract not the individual.
ReplyDeleteBro.if u know ur God He will honour u.Stay tune.
ReplyDelete