To think these staff shouldn't lose any money because one person is ill?

[Onewayoranother88]

My boyfriend works at a restaurant. A colleague of his tested positive yesterday and so the restaurant is closing for 10 days. Bf has had 3 negative lateral flow tests and awaiting PCR results.
He has a contract which states he is on an hourly wage as opposed to a salary, but as a result he'll have no income now for 10 days.
It isn't test and trace that have contacted him so don't think he's eligible for anything.
But surely there should be some kind of support, why should a whole team of staff lose 10 days' income (about £350 for him).

@Onewayoranother88

I think there is up to £500 support.
Check the gov website.

We went to a hotel where a member of staff had tested positive. They didnt have to close but took some additional precautions advised by T&T and were allowed to stay open

Is the govt support for if he has to isolate?

I agree it’s disgusting I believe that government support is bloody hard to get . My dd tried as was on zero hour contract and had no income was contacted by test & trace . She applied but heard nothing . I’d be interested to hear anyone that has been successful but I’ve heard of others that it’s hard to get .

Thanks for the info, unfortunately the site says you can only receive the £500 Support if you're contacted by track and trace to isolate which he hasn't been. I don't think his workplace necessarily needed to close

Seems like an overreaction for the whole restaurant to close! Surely that's not the case? No where would ever be open!

Was he furloughed before? They can flexi furlough him for the time they are closed so 80% of his wages. Only if he has previously been furloughed though.

Has your boyfriend been furloughed by them in the past?
I am in a similar situation. The number of staff members contacted as close contacts and having to isolate is so high that we have had no choice but to shut. There isn't enough experienced staff left to run the business and no one senior enough to oversee.
I have been put back on furlough for the 10 days,along with all other staff entitled to it. All new staff will receive SSP topped up to equal 80%.

No he only started working for them in April sadly. Maybe he's entitled to SSP but not sure, I do think it's an overreaction though.

Would love to know if these people voting YABU have ever had to lose a lot of wages like that. Or is £350 just a drop in the ocean to them .

£350 is a drop in the ocean compared to consequences of ignoring a positive result and potentially letting it spread.

Nobody is talking about ignoring a positive result, it's about losing money. £350 is the difference between some people being able to pay rent or not, it might be nothing to you but it is to us.

If he has been named as a close contact he would be contacted by test and trace and therefore eligibility to claim. If was in contact he should speak to the employer as they have a number to ring where they list close contacts of the case.
Check your local council website as some are more flexible than other asto who can claim £500 or other support.