Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH can't get into bother at work for needing to isolate twice, or can he? Positive result in the home.

61 replies

Yellowc · 23/07/2020 20:47

Yesterday I received a positive result which obviously means my household now has to isolate no exceptions and we will.

The concern DH has is that he has already had a 14 days quarantine period off work in March and he's worried he's going to face a disciplinary for needing another, and is worried they'll think he was pulling a fast one before.

Me and DS had some of the textbook symptoms in March but couldn't get tested, we had to quarantine just in case.

I have the text and email confirming my positive result as of yesterday and he can also show evidence of me being contacted by track and trace. He's going to email these over.

He shouldn't be worried should he?

For context his boss isn't remotely understanding and is widely disliked in the work place for his poor treatment of staff.

OP posts:
gabsdot45 · 23/07/2020 21:41

In my job a guy came into work while someone he lived with had Covid and he was fired.
Your husband should self isolate with you and his job should not make a fuss.

Original poster
Yellowc · 23/07/2020 21:41

He's taken pictures of the messages on my phone as evidence.

He has:

The text confirming my result as positive

The email confirming my result as positive

And a message from NHS track and trace asking me to log into my account and provide details of those I've had contact with.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 23/07/2020 21:42

He's not in a union no.
It's a relatively new job which he has only been in for 13 months. He's a good employee and works hard, no previous disciplinary history or anything like that, but the length of time he has been there would go against him.

that's why he should be in a union

Argggghhneedclarity · 23/07/2020 21:43

It's sad that this is probably the reality for a lot of people- being more worried about bosses and their shitty reactions than the fact they have covid. I'd be exactly the same with my previous boss. I'm sorry you're having this additional worry. Hope your symptoms aren't too bad.

Witchend · 23/07/2020 21:44

I suspect this is one of the cases where it depends on what they think of your dh.
If he's not had any other time off, not been seen to slip off early if he thinks he can get away with it etc. then they'll probably just think he's unlucky.
If he's known for being a bit of a work dodger then they'll suspect he's trying it on.

Unfortunately if he's got a nasty manager, then there's a chance he'll think the latter with no reason. However make sure you've got all the evidence printed out etc. and make sure it's all given in and you keep a copy.

Clumsyduck · 23/07/2020 21:48

This has actually made me quite annoyed altho it’s hypothetical right now whether he will be a dick but am sure this is Actually happening to people

We were literally told by the government to self isolate if unwell with certain symptoms with no way of actually knowing if it was Covid or any other number of things with similar symptoms . Now luckily we can at least test

Yes am sure some people took the piss but most people will have just been doing what they were told to do Angry

back2good · 23/07/2020 21:48

Really shit that the government was so inept that tests weren't being done back in the spring for 'regular' people who had symptoms but didn't require hospitalization.

And following the 'rules' at the time is coming back to bite a lot of people with shitty employers like your DH's boss. Really sucks and unfair.

KittyFantastico · 23/07/2020 21:48

Is he able to work from home? If so then he should email his manager (so that there is a written record of it) offering to work from home for the duration of the self-isolation then he is "at work" just not "at the office".

He should also join a union asap.

Original poster
Yellowc · 23/07/2020 21:51

For those asking, I'm doing ok thank you. It's a mild case so far. I have a banging headache atm but that's probably half stress.

DH has compiled his email ready to send tomorrow morning (he's next due in tomorrow night) so we'll see what happens.

I agree I shouldn't need to worry about this on top of everything else and it's shit.

He's a good employee in general and there are no concerns about his work.

OP posts:
Ohfudgeit · 23/07/2020 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SusieOwl4 · 23/07/2020 21:54

I agree with looking into joining a union any way . It can come in handy .

Original poster
Yellowc · 23/07/2020 21:58

@Ohfudgeit

What was wrong with you in March and had the employer told your DH to isolate with symptoms in the house?
I had gastro problems, aching limbs, fatigue and everything tasted of metal. I couldn't taste anything but that.

DS (2) then had a high fever of over 40, sweating and chills, wouldn't eat.

The government advice then was the same as it is now, isolate. We just couldn't get a test at the time.

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 23/07/2020 21:59

@Ohfudgeit its in the thread! OP had Covid-19 symptoms but wasn't tested. No one was tested unless they had been to Italy or China.

GiraffesAreBeautiful · 23/07/2020 22:00

Nobody knows this virus well enough to say you can’t be infected twice. Even if you weren’t positive in March, you followed government guidelines and if you hadn’t you would have been in conflict of the guidance/law and morally wrong.

You are now positive and I wish you every best wish for a swift recovery. Take care of yourself.

GiraffesAreBeautiful · 23/07/2020 22:01

@Ohfudgeit have you been living in a cave?

GilderoyLockdown · 23/07/2020 22:03

Yy, needs to be in a union. Especially with a dick boss. It may be too late this time, but for the future.

Choconuttolata · 23/07/2020 22:03

Similar here, we isolated in April due to DH having symptoms meeting the criteria but couldn't get a test at the time. Now isolating again due to poorly child and awaiting swab results. This is going to be a massive problem come September when the kids go back to school as many will be poorly with the usual viral illnesses over autumn and winter, but everyone will have to isolate as there is no guarantee that it is not Covid and people may be able to get it again so no one is excluded from the rules even if they have already had it. Employers just have to suck it up as this is government guidance, at my work is is not counted in the usual sickness absence.

Northernsoullover · 23/07/2020 22:04

@GiraffesAreBeautiful that made me laugh more than it should have. I'm picturing a baffled poster wondering what the heck is happening in the world.

lifesalongsong · 23/07/2020 22:05

You've started a number of threads now and tbh it's sounding like you are looking for problems and your anxiety is overwhelming you.

Might it be better to step away from the internet and get some professional help?

daisychain01 · 23/07/2020 22:06

I don't think he'll tell him to come in, for no other reason than to cover his own backside, but DH is concerned about the potential of a disciplinary or god forbid being sacked.

You need to think through this logically. You're saying the boss won't make him come in to cover his own backside, but then you're saying he could sack him? I doubt he would feel it's in his best interests to do that, unless he already had it in for your DH and will use that as an excuse.

Does he have 2 years employment with them? If so the boss would have to go through the informal then formal procedure, and by then your DH would be back in work anyway. If he doesn't have 2 years with them, then he should seek advice via ACAS because he will have protection if he can prove he was self-isolating as a direct consequence of your positive test - get him to take a copy of your positive result as proof. His situation is the very reason why the Government created legislation and guidance to prevent employers from pressurising staff into returning to work and infecting the rest of the workforce.

daisychain01 · 23/07/2020 22:07

@lifesalongsong

You've started a number of threads now and tbh it's sounding like you are looking for problems and your anxiety is overwhelming you.

Might it be better to step away from the internet and get some professional help?

I think you are correct there, sadly.
Original poster
Yellowc · 23/07/2020 22:11

@lifesalongsong

You've started a number of threads now and tbh it's sounding like you are looking for problems and your anxiety is overwhelming you.

Might it be better to step away from the internet and get some professional help?

Hmm

Looking for problems? Like people go looking for the things I'm posting about.

My DH was worried he was going to lose his job and with good reason. What is MN for if not for advice and support?

I won't bother posting again.

OP posts:
WhenCoronaWasALager · 23/07/2020 22:17

Hope you are OK OP. Flowers

cdtaylornats · 23/07/2020 22:19

If he makes your husband go in your DH should report himself and all his colleagues to track & trace.

daisychain01 · 23/07/2020 22:20

You do seem anxious OP so if I were you I would get your DH to have a chat with ACAS so they can outline his employment rights. The boss hasn't taken any negative action at this time, so you may be worrying unduly. Look after yourself as you have the infection you need to rest.

Swipe left for the next trending thread