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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dd been sacked for isolating

228 replies

ShittingHell · 23/01/2021 15:46

My 16yr old has a part time job. Me and her dad had tests earlier this week. Unfortunately she was supposed to work so had to call in and say she couldn't.
Today she gets a text saying she's let them down! She's replied and said she can prove the tests were genuine and she had to isolate by law but they've not replied. This isn't bloody right is it?

OP posts:
violetcobra · 23/01/2021 20:03

It may not necessarily be a police matter, but it's a matter warranting a report nonetheless. The employers may be practicing irresponsible business and ignoring government guidance, putting the lives of employees and customers at risk.

We are in the middle of a pandemic; this sort of thing must be investigated by the relevant agency (whatever that may be).

Nicknacky · 23/01/2021 20:04

@violetcobra Investigating by who?

BruthasTortoise · 23/01/2021 20:05

@Nicknacky - honest question - are the police in your area not enforcing the coronavirus legislation? Cause the ones here have been physically carrying people from shops for not wearing masks and breaking down the doors of businesses which are open when they shouldn't be. I admit I misinterpreted the legislation in this particular case but I think it is now a police matter if businesses aren't complying with legislation.

CrocodilesCry · 23/01/2021 20:05

@BruthasTortoise

How so? IF she has been sacked for self isolating how does it not fall under this legislation?
She's not even been bloody sacked.

She's had a narky message from someone who is (rightly) a bit peed off that the teenager who answers the phones at their takeaway has told them she can't come in on a busy weekend night. When she could have probably let them know a bit sooner.

Nothing to see here folks. OP I hope she works it out with them but it's not the end of the world. She did the right thing by not going in but sounds as if she could have warned them a bit sooner.

ArosGartref · 23/01/2021 20:05

MI6 as a minimum

SchrodingersImmigrant · 23/01/2021 20:06

@violetcobra

It may not necessarily be a police matter, but it's a matter warranting a report nonetheless. The employers may be practicing irresponsible business and ignoring government guidance, putting the lives of employees and customers at risk.

We are in the middle of a pandemic; this sort of thing must be investigated by the relevant agency (whatever that may be).

They may also not and it's simply a case of oversensitive people recieving a message from someone with not so good English so writes "short and (what looks to English as) abrupt" messages. I have a feeling this one is more possible.

Or it can be case they thought she was taking a piss and just didn't want to work.

Runnerduck34 · 23/01/2021 20:07

Its completely rubbish, sadly young people are often treated very badly by employers, obviously as its all cash in hand she won't have any employment rights.
Your DD did the right thing, obviously it put her employers in a tight spot but couldn't be helped.
I would get dd to contact them.after the isolation period and ask if they need her for any shifts.
As its cash in hand they probably have zero commitment to her and it will be easy for them to find someone else. I would encourage her to look for another job but i know theres not many around atm.

Nicknacky · 23/01/2021 20:07

@BruthasTortoise Yes they are even there are offences committed and it’s in the public interest.

However they aren’t physically removing people from shops routinely.....

But this particular thread is not a reason for police involvement.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 23/01/2021 20:08

@ArosGartref

MI6 as a minimum
Bond. James Bond. Will get number 63 and number 12 please

😂

Nicknacky · 23/01/2021 20:09

“When” not “even!!

violetcobra · 23/01/2021 20:10

@SchrodingersImmigrant Yes, that's possible. English is not my first language either so I understand that you mean, but assuming they have a basic grasp of the language they should understand that "you have let us down" is a critical comment to make.

But at this point, all efforts must be made to stem the spread of the virus and if the employer was truly disregarding government guidance they should face some kind of consequence.

Thegreymethod · 23/01/2021 20:11

It's not surprising we're still in this situation when companies don't want to/can't support workers who have been told by the government that they must stay home AND as demonstrated on this thread people STILL don't know the rules! Since March if someone in your house has symptoms you isolate.

Comefromaway · 23/01/2021 20:12

Can I ask is she in Year 11 or Year 12? (It makes a difference legally)

Just because someone is working cash in hand with no written contract dies not mean they have no rights. A contract (albeit zero hours) can be implied by conduct.

calmearth · 23/01/2021 20:17

@PugInTheHouse

Not in our trust either!
Our trust does have this policy as well. East mids. It's completely ridiculous!
SchrodingersImmigrant · 23/01/2021 20:18

[quote violetcobra]@SchrodingersImmigrant Yes, that's possible. English is not my first language either so I understand that you mean, but assuming they have a basic grasp of the language they should understand that "you have let us down" is a critical comment to make.

But at this point, all efforts must be made to stem the spread of the virus and if the employer was truly disregarding government guidance they should face some kind of consequence.[/quote]
Makes me wonder if anyone here shopped from boohoo and the rest making clothes in Leicester since summer (or years ago when the conditions first came out).

Maybe they don't have a good grasp of english. Maybe she was not coming in often. Maybe there isn't even a takeaway. Who knows. One thing we know is that it's not said she is fired for not showing up.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 23/01/2021 20:21

And people need to stop using "middl3 of pandemic"😂 Hopefully we are in "nearly three quarters of pandemic"😂
Bit of positive thinking, people!😂

BruthasTortoise · 23/01/2021 20:23

I feel very much like we are in the middle of a pandemic still. We're waiting for my aunt to die at the minute and our local hospital can't take any more patients. I do hope you're right though!

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 23/01/2021 20:24

[quote BruthasTortoise]@Nicknacky - honest question - are the police in your area not enforcing the coronavirus legislation? Cause the ones here have been physically carrying people from shops for not wearing masks and breaking down the doors of businesses which are open when they shouldn't be. I admit I misinterpreted the legislation in this particular case but I think it is now a police matter if businesses aren't complying with legislation.[/quote]
Are you in England?

If the police are literally carrying unmasked people out of shops could you direct them to my local Morrisons, that would keep them busy.

BruthasTortoise · 23/01/2021 20:26

Northern Ireland - our cops take no nonsense apparently. They'd have the OPs takeaway boarded up tonight lol

SmidgenofaPigeon · 23/01/2021 20:27

They wouldn’t, there’s nothing to board them up for!

BruthasTortoise · 23/01/2021 20:27

It was a joke...

Nicknacky · 23/01/2021 20:27

@BruthasTortoise That’s great that all your cops have to deal with are take always on a Saturday night.

rubydoobydoo · 23/01/2021 21:09

Enforcing business compliance with Covid regulations comes under the remit of Trading Standards here - you can contact via your local council.

The police are responsible for enforcing individual breaches.

MrsPinkCock · 23/01/2021 21:39

A person cannot be employed under a zero hours contract unless it’s in writing. You can’t legally imply zero hours - only employment status.

A person CAN be an employee despite being paid cash in hand. A contract of employment exists in any employment relationship regardless of whether it’s written down.

OP, your daughter does have some rights, although it doesn’t sound like she’s actually been dismissed. She can’t claim standard unfair dismissal anyway with such short service but if she were to be sacked she’s still potentially entitled to notice and accrued holiday pay. She needs to keep the text messages as evidence she was employed if she wants to take it further.

safclass · 23/01/2021 22:17

You can't give notice really for someone having a covid test. My husband developed symptoms and booked in for a test. From that moment we had to isolate until he had test and his results came back.