Client manager has shingles - and he's coming into the office....

[Whatdoesitmatteranyway]

FFS

He's emailed us all today to say he has shingles but will be back in the office tomorrow.

I wouldn't be unreasonable I don't think to say, "that's fine but I'm WFH until you haven't got them anymore"

I know the risk of contagion is low if they are covered but..........makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.

Also, client has a very generous sickness policy and he hasn't been off in the year i've been doing work for them.

I'm freelance .....

Well he should check that all of you have had chicken pox because you can develop that by being in contact with someone with shingles. I've got shingles atm and cancelled everything for the last week and on-going for the next week at least mainly because everyone treats you like a leper as your post illustrates! Can't believe he feels well enough to work tbh?

You can't catch shingles.

You can only catch chicken pox from someone with shingles, but only if you come in contact with the actual blisters.
Generally you only have chicken pox once, unless you had it before a year and/or very mildly.

You can’t catch shingles, only chicken pox if you’ve not had them.

You are not at risk with a covered rash.

I’ve had shingles about 5 times - as long as it’s covered there really isn’t a risk as you have to have skin contact with the liquid inside the blistery rash. Not all shingles means time off sick. My doctor said I could work as long as it’s covered. My hairdresser this week also has shingles and carrying on but covered with clothes. I’m sure he wouldn’t put anyone at risk.

Ask HR if they can ask him to stay away, wfh or off ill. Is anyone in the office pregnant?

Um you need to flag this to HR.

Anyone that has a compromised immune system or pregnant and hasn't had chicken pox is at risk of serious complications - it can be fatal!

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/what-are-the-risks-of-chickenpox-during-pregnancy/

Someone may not have declared they're pregnant for obvious reasons, nor would someone's illness necessarily be publicly known...

You need to flag this OP - he shouldn't be coming into an office.

It's directly against guidelines/common sense - has this idiot no idea what he's doing?

I also can't believe he'll feel well enough to work, certainly not at first.

Lots of things we cope with on a day to day basis can be very very bad for those that are immune deficient. Unfortunately life goes on. Shingles can stick around for a while, as long as it's covered and he isn't working in ICU or something then I don't see the problem.

It depends on the office. I had shingles and had to stay off, as one of my colleagues was pregnant.

Discuss with HR - your risk is minimal but there may be others who are at risk.

Nhs says:

Stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid (weeping) and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out.

You're only infectious to others while the rash oozes fluid.

You can cover the rash with loose clothing or a non-sticky dressing.