Asda worker close contact w covid - is manager right to do this?

[Cocacolathanks]

Hello, quick question as I’m not sure about this.

My cousin works at Asda. She has been in very close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus today. The person was part of their support bubble but living separately (they spent a whole day together, near the end of the day the person felt very unwell, they went home and got tested the next day).

My cousins manager at Asda said my cousin must take a test. If they are off work, they will be on sick pay for the time they are off.

My cousin has tried to book a test. Because they’re not showing symptoms, the test booking system says they’re not eligible to be tested. I didn’t even know this was possible!

We just didn’t know if this is right. Is that what is supposed to happen? Instead of normal pay during isolation, the person is given sick pay instead?

Just a bit confused and looking to clarify.

Thank you 😊

Yes, SSP during self isolation is what is the legal minimum.

She might also be able to claim a £500 payment if she's on a low income.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/help-and-financial-support-while-youre-self-isolating/

My understanding is that your cousin would need to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they get a test or it is negative. Some areas will test symptomless people but that doesn't remove the need to isolate for close contacts.
If someone has to isolate then yes they can be paid sick pay not full pay, in general, don't know about Asda specifically

I am unsure but when I've isolated (3 times) my pay has carried on as normal not changed to sick pay.

Agree 10 days isolation. Only test if they get symptoms.

Your cousin has to isolate for 10 days and will get SSP as a minimum. Asda may have additional sick pay policies

At Tesco we have to isolate for 10 days. No test required. Ssp from day 1

You can get a test if directed by employer

Has your cousin been contacted by test and trace ? If not unluckily despite she should self isolate she can be requested by their working place to go to work. If she’s been asked to self isolate then there is no test needed

I work for personnel in Morrisons and it’s the same there. SSP from day one instead of the usual 3 waiting days, company sick pay if the colleague is eligible for it/has not used it up already. It is sick pay and not ordinary pay, does Asda not have an online portal that explains it? Morrisons has all its policies laid out clearly for colleagues to read on what they are entitled to

Test or no test she still has to isolate for 10 days regardless

Support bubble counts as being the same household. Isolate for 10 days.

@LIZS

You can get a test if directed by employer

I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. NHS website states being asked to take a test by an employer or school if you are asymptomatic does not make you eligible for one.

Your cousin needs to get onto WalmartOne and read the Coronavirus section, everything is laid out there.

@LIZS

You can get a test if directed by employer

the gov.uk has "your employer or school has asked you to get a test but you have no symptoms" listed under who cannot get a free test.

If your friend is really concerned about the financial implications of not being able to work, she could check one of the symptoms boxes on the online application.

She should get a test only if she herself has symptoms. She must isolate at home for 10 days. She is entitled to ssp. She can try to claim for the £500 one off payment for isolators.

‘If your friend is really concerned about the financial implications of not being able to work, she could check one of the symptoms boxes on the online application.’

That would waste a test and make absolutely no difference to the requirement to isolate for 10 days! A negative test would mean nothing as she could still be incubating the virus!

She shouldn’t test without symptoms and doing so is pointless at best, dangerous at worst if she goes back to work on a negative test. She could still develop symptoms after the test.

She needs to isolate for 10 days as someone in her household/support bubble has tested positive. She had close contact on the day they began showing symptoms so would definitely need to isolate.

SSP is minimum entitlement, lots of companies pay full pay but depends on their company policy

It doesn't matter whether she takes a test or not, she will still nedd to isolate. And SSP is probably what she'll get as thats the minimum required. It can be claimed from day 1 now though.

She’s under a legal obligation to self isolate and to get paid SSP

If she is in a bubble, she is counted as a household member and must isolate for 10 days, regardless. The test is irrelevant as she still has to isolate and should only test if she gets symptoms.
The pay issue is separate.

Even if the test is negative she will have to SI for 10 days

Asda’s policy on isolation is if it’s your first period of isolation then you’re paid full pay, second isolation full company sick pay and third and beyond then SSP.

Your cousin needs to speak to one of the personnel staff or the HR manager and not their department manager to get clarification. Lots of info available on walmartone too.

Hopefully these should help. Just found and screenshotted from Walmartone.

@NotExactlyHappyToHelp that seems much fairer. Very unfair to be put on SSP.

It is right, no test until symptoms, if no symptoms isolate for 10 days. Sick pay for isolation.