Thinking my boss cant stop me going back to work??

[HBC125]

My DH tested positive and so I have been isolating with him. My 10 days are up tomorrow, I have no symptoms, but my boss says I can't go back until I have a negative test, a proper one not a lateral flow. That could add days to my return date. Can he legally do this??

They possibly could

What's their covid policy say? Most companies have one now.

Pretty sure your employer can insist on a test.

Are you being paid whilst isolating?

Did you get a test during the isolation period as a close contact?

I can't find anything that says either way. Sorry

They probably can. I'd just get one. Walk in PCRs seem to take around 24 hours for results.

I think it's sensible to be honest - You can be infected without symptoms. Presumably he's just protecting the rest of the workforce and the business.
If you get tested first thing in the morning your results should be back in 24hrs.

I don't think you can get one from government now unless you lie on their form. Maybe ask them to pay for one privately?

I'm not sure if it is legal what your boss has asked but my DD had a test last week and we had the results back within 12 hours. I would just get a test ASAP.

Yes you can get one - I've just applied/sent off for one this morning.

Why wouldn't you @HBC125? Will you be penalised financially?

Had a PCR and received results the same day.

My understanding was that pcr tests are only for people with symptoms. The 30 minute lateral flow tests are for picking up asymptotic cases (although their reliability is debatable).

V sensible
My DC's class bubble has been breached due to the fact that a family that was isolating sent a child back despite the fact it was a domino effect in their family.
If they had tested their asymptomatic child it wouldn't have happened.

Thing is, if you're not showing symptoms how do you get one on the nhs?
Perhaps worth filling in the nhs thing up to the point it asks which of the 3 symptoms you have, screen shot it, and forward it to your boss sweetly pointing out you can't have one and asking what the next step is.

*asymptomatic

Then I'd screenshot one of the private companies offering pcr for £100+ and ask if the expense will be met and whether you should book it?
Thus showing a proactive problem solving approach to the ridiculous request.

So much misinformation on here.

Being a confirmed contact of a known positive case IS a reason to get tested. So they are not unreasonable to ask, and test and trace should also have told you to get a test.

Book one, and the results will usually be back pretty quickly (just over 12 hours for us recently, which did confirm one of my DC, with no symptoms, was positive)

This is our companies policy but we do on site employee testing.

Being a confirmed contact of a known positive case IS a reason to get tested but if you don't get a test you isolate for 10 days. If you isolate 10 days what's the point of getting the test it's too late now.

Otherwise I could say I was a close contact 2 months ago can I have a PCR test please

@CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson

So much misinformation on here.

Being a confirmed contact of a known positive case IS a reason to get tested. So they are not unreasonable to ask, and test and trace should also have told you to get a test.

Book one, and the results will usually be back pretty quickly (just over 12 hours for us recently, which did confirm one of my DC, with no symptoms, was positive)

Absolutely!

I was 'pinged' by the NHS app today, because I've been in contact with someone who has contracted Covid, and this is grounds to get a PCR test.

@PicaK

Then I'd screenshot one of the private companies offering pcr for £100+ and ask if the expense will be met and whether you should book it? Thus showing a proactive problem solving approach to the ridiculous request.

I think boots might do it a bit cheaper?

@Sinthie

My understanding was that pcr tests are only for people with symptoms. The 30 minute lateral flow tests are for picking up asymptotic cases (although their reliability is debatable).

You can now get a PCR done if you are a close contact of a positive case which OP is

@PicaK

Thing is, if you're not showing symptoms how do you get one on the nhs? Perhaps worth filling in the nhs thing up to the point it asks which of the 3 symptoms you have, screen shot it, and forward it to your boss sweetly pointing out you can't have one and asking what the next step is.

OP could have got one as a close contact. It's too late now

I have just gone through the questions. Op can get a pcr test for being a close contact.

You don't have to contacted by T&T. There's an option that's say 'I found out another way'

And then it let's you fill your details in.

After 10 days they are no longer 'a contact'

This is from gov guidance:

You can be a contact any time from 2 days before the person who tested positive developed their symptoms (or, if they did not have any symptoms, from 2 days before the date their positive test was taken), and up to 10 days after

You should arrange to have this test as soon as possible within your 10 day isolation period