Scared to return to work

[Whatevernext1]

This is my first thread and it's more to vent my stress than vent irl.

Firstly i would like to say a big thank you to the wonderful NHS for all of the hard work you are continuing to put yourselves through at a truly awful and heartbreaking time. I have close friends and family,many of them front line workers and am as proud of them as I am scared for them. People need to listen to what they're being told and stay home if they are not essential workers!

Anyway,on with what I came on here for!
I work for a very large supermarket and am currently in self isolation since Saturday. This is because I was having breathing difficulties and a temperature on Friday. On the advice of my asthma clinic I have stayed at home. I'm not being paid for this time off as they are classing it as authorised absence. This has obviously now put me in financial hardship. The problem I'm having is worrying about my return to work. I live with somebody who has many health complications including cancer,emphysema and MS to name a few. I'm in tears writing this but if I catch something and pass it on they will very likely not survive,I could not live with this on my conscience. Also being asthmatic I worry about my own health too.
I don't know what to do concerning returning to work - I can't afford more time off unpaid as already now unable to pay my bills. Do I quit my job? Do I risk passing something on? It's such a difficult decision.
The last few weeks have been horrendous at work,people fighting like animals over their most basic needs and elderly people wandering around like lost souls. Truly opens your eyes to all kinds of humanity and many tears have been shed.
Sorry for the long ramble I just needed to get my thoughts out.
Please everybody keep as safe as you can,think twice before going out and take care out in this now very scary new world.

Bump

I don’t blame you for being scared OP, I would be too. I don’t know what to suggest but wanted you to know I understand. I think it’s appalling that big employers don’t have to pay staff who are following government advice.

@SinkGirl thank you so much for your reply,it's nice to know there are people out there just to listen. It's frustrating that these huge companies won't pay people when they're trying to do the right thing,following guidelines and trying to keep everyone safe. After being employed there for many years it just shows we are all just numbers to them.
I hope you and your family are ok and have everything you need. Thanks for listening.

Don't your company have a sickness policy where you get paid if you're off sick. I believe you can self-certify and get paid from the first day with the new guidelines?

I’m sorry OP, this must all be incredibly tough for you. Doesn’t your employer legally have to pay you now if you’re self-isolating? Shocked that a major supermarket won’t do this. I found this from ACAS which might be helpful - they run a Q&A on CV on Twitter every Friday at 10:30:

www.acas.org.uk/coronovirus-support-for-employers-and-employees-live-on-twitter

There’s also some useful info on their website. Worth also speaking to your union if you’re part of one. Good luck - you absolutely shouldn’t have to put your health at risk, especially since you’re in a vulnerable group I may be mistaken but I think the new government rules are on your side here.

Also just to add: I’ve had a few managers who were either completely ignorant or actually lied to me about my rights at work, but as soon as I showed them written evidence of my rights (e.g. company or government guidelines) they backed down. It’s always worth challenging your boss if you feel able to do so (which can be done without being confrontational); don’t assume what they tell you is correct as many will just try and fob you off for a quiet life, sadly.

Thank you for your replies.
I will look into that,thank your for taking time to post the link too.
My employer told me I would not be entitled to sick pay unless I could 100% guarantee my symptoms were related to Covid-19,obviously with there being no testing this is something that would be impossible for me to guarantee them.
It's so hard knowing what to do.
I take 2 inhalers daily but not the correct dosage according to the vulnerable list unfortunately.
Thank you for your kind words.

@BeNiceToYourSister thank you for that,going by what seems to be happening to me at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case.