Sam Ogunnoiki, 46 and a British citizen works as a security guard with Stout Security Ltd headquartered in Cornwall, UK has been told to stay away from work for three weeks as a result of fear that he may have contracted Ebola virus in Nigeria which he just visited. See the letter given to him by his boss, Mr. Mannel:
“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.” …. 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 for the period. 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.