To warn colleagues a member of my household has COVID, or not?

[covidisoverornot]

Somehow in the whole 2 years of the pandemic I've avoided this situation up until now, and I'm not sure what the done thing is given that restrictions are pretty much ended in England.

I'm going into the office this week, but I WFH most of the time (so it's not necessary to go to the office). I'm also going out for leaving drinks for a colleague.

A member of my household has COVID and I have been around them a lot. I feel like I'm coming down with something (slight light headedness but that's all), but all of my lateral flows are negative.

Do I warn my colleagues?

(If it was any other week I would just WFH but I need to go into the office)

I wouldn't unless it comes up in conversation

I would ask them what they want you to do. My DDs friends partner caught COVID and she had negative lfts felt well etc so went in to work now she's got it plus 3 colleagues.

Your colleagues have no right to know the personal medical history of the member of your household.

I think it'd be selfish not to

I wouldn't mention it to your colleagues unless you're prepared to not go in if they ask you not to. Otherwise it's pointless.

Get a pcr - it sounds like you are coming down with it

I wouldn't, it will just make them uncomfortable around you unless you are willing/able to work from home.

I would warn them. I'm currently in a similar position, a close friend who I've spent time with tested positive yesterday and I feel like I'm coming down with a cold, but LFTs are negative. I had to go into the office today and I messaged my colleague who I share an office with to let them know. He said don't worry about it, but we kept distance, opened windows for ventilation and wore masks when away from our desks.

I would also tell your manager that you feel mildly unwell and a household member has covid - they might tell you to wfh and solve the dilemma for you!

@R00K

Your colleagues have no right to know the personal medical history of the member of your household.

What if one of them is, or lives with someone who is cev?

I would IF I were working closely with someone who I know is clinically vulnerable or has caring responsibilities for someone vulnerable, but probably not for anyone else now that you no longer have to self-isolate if positive.

Colleague did tell us and stayed away from the office (we are mostly WFH with 1-2 days a week in the office). She also decided to skip the Xmas do, even though she tested neg, as she felt it wasn't right while people in her household had come down with it.

I would warn them and offer to stay home if you can

DH got Covid and I told my colleagues that I won't be in the office on our normal in-office day as I feared I would pass it on.

Yep, the day after I had all symptoms as well and tested positive. I would have spread it loveling around our open plan office.

DH was more than happy for me to tell what was going on.

Unless you can hide in an office, only come out with a proper FFP2 mask and avoid all contact I would stay at home and tell them why.

I told my line manager when a member of my household had it as it's in my work's policy. If it wasn't I probably wouldn't have done

I didn't think you could get pcrs any more unless instructed to? Just keep doing lfts. I got it in the end!

You shouldn’t go in in my opinion.

You don't need to. If you've done your check and it's negative you just make sure you're responsible. Wear a mask and make sure you don't spend too much time in close contact.

It’s a matter of common sense. Our workplace has returned to hybrid working (3 days in the office) but is still advising people to work from home if they feel unwell.

Not sure what is so difficult about that if you usually wfh?

@TolkiensFallow

I would also tell your manager that you feel mildly unwell and a household member has covid - they might tell you to wfh and solve the dilemma for you!

^ this. Or proactively suggest it. I would appreciate a warning myself

Why do you NEED to be in the office?

I would ask your line manager or HR for guidance. We have been asked to WFH if a member of our household has Covid, and that is also in gov guidance which says WFH if you can for 10 days.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts#what-to-do-if-you-are-a-close-contact-of-someone-who-has-covid-19

So you've been in close contact with someone who has covid and you are starting to feel unwell?

Yeah, you need to WFH if you can.

I would - I'm heavily pregnant and was going to go into our office the other week as it was my last week before mat leave. We were told someone had come down with covid in the office the day before I was meant to go in so I chose not to go. Now quite a few of them have it.

For most it wouldn't be a big deal - for me to get it this late on (and then pass to DP who could then miss the birth due to being positive) was too much of a risk.

So I think tell them and let them make up their mind if they feel it's a risk to them.

DH works from home if a family member has Covid.

My work policy is negative LFT you come to work.

Check your work policy.

You’re willing to go in and spread whatever you’re coming down with? Pisses me off when ill people go into offices spreading their germs.

I think it's only fair to let them know then they can keep a distance if they so wish to, I would expect from anyone I knew this and would also do the same for others.