Employer tested positive, pay for the Nanny.

[FriendlyLondonNanny]

Hi,
I hope you’re all doing well in such a tough time.

I’m working as a nanny and need some perspective on a small issue that suddenly came up last week and I’m not sure What to think about.

I must say I consider my employers as good&fair people and I absolutely adore my charges so would like to avoid any potential tensions or resentments but must add I’m a bit confused and worry about how to „sort it out”. Also I don’t mind if they see this post as I would only like to see what other people think.

I went to A&E (not COVID related) on mon evening and due to being there till late I asked for a day off the next day (tue).
Got a message on tue to get a test (on fri or sat) and stay at home till the end of the week because they don’t feel comfortable with me comming in.
In the meantime my employer got a positive COVID test on wed so said I now must self isolate for an obvious reason.

They called their payroll comapny and said they’re been adviced to offer me:
A full pay on wednesday because this was the day they asked me to stay at home.
From thursday onwards: furlough pay or SSP because they can’t provide a safe environment.

I have NO COVID symptoms. Did the test today but not resoults yet.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance:)

Full pay for Wednesday as they told you not to come in.
Furlough for Thursday onwards as the workplace is closed.
SSP is not applicable as you are not sick. If you had a positive Covid test then SSP could apply.

They've told me not to come on wed, thu and fri. On fri I got a message one person has been tested positive.

You can get SSP if isolating but I imagine furlough pay is higher than that

Why would I get SSP? I'm not sick, my employer is.

Furlough is fair, they should choose to top up to be fair (saves them 80%!)

Because those isolating due to contact with a positive case can also claim SSP

Would it been cheeky to ask them for top up since is not my fault I can't come to work and in case I'm sick I only get SSP? Not sure if it's only me who thinks it's a bit unfair to expect employees to get SSP when sick and get ~70% of their net pay when THEY are sick (just general question)?

So Nannies always lose out? How nice.

@FriendlyLondonNanny

So Nannies always lose out? How nice.

How are you losing out? Aren't you being furloughed?

Ask them re topping it up.

They should top up your furlough so you don't lose out.

I mean generally. If they not sick and capable of working they can only get ~70% of their net salary (when their employer is sick), if they are sick they can only get SSP🤷‍♀️

@FriendlyLondonNanny

I mean generally. If they not sick and capable of working they can only get ~70% of their net salary (when their employer is sick), if they are sick they can only get SSP🤷‍♀️

Sorry I don't understand what you mean, at all

Never mind, I'm probably just worried as it seems to be a hard month. Just a moan I guess. I just would like to make my regular salary since I'm not sick and capable of working.

So you just ask if they are going to top up your furlough payment? It's not complicated, really?

In fairness, lots of people on furlough are not sick and are capable of working! It is only 2 weeks, not months like some people have had in some industries!

Its only 10 days now

If you have had a test you should be self isolating until you get the result. So you can’t go to work. Or anywhere else unless you get a negative result or your 10 days are up. So SSP is fine in line with the government guidance. I don’t know why being a nanny makes a difference, it’s the same for any work place. You’ve potentially been in close contact with someone who tested positive, so you need to get a test and follow the rules. It would be the same if you were a builder or an IT consultant or any other role.

She's not supposed to get a test without symptoms though. She should isolate for 10 days from last contact with the positive case

I hope they paid for your test. You're not entitled to one on the nhs with no symptoms.

I read this as she didn't have any contact with the positive person for more than 2 days before they tested positive (that is the line that is drawn for test and trace) so no need for her to isolate in fact as she had a test at their request not because she needed one. I would ask for fulough and top up myself. Explain that as there is no need to isolate in her case that she is not entitled to ssp for those purposes.

there are areas testing with no symptoms

I took it that OP had contact on Monday before the A&E visit and that employer went for a test on Wednesday so they would be counted as a close contact

SSP would apply if "you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus" or "you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve been in contact with someone with coronavirus".
The later one could be a reason for paying SSP, if NHS Test & Trace has been in touch but in my view it is a case that your workplace is closed, so furlough applies... unless you were not on payroll as of 30 October 2020.

A lot of people aren’t sick and would like to be working, and many of them have lost their jobs and are on UC, or don’t qualify for help if SE.

Ask your employers to top up by all means, otherwise practice being grateful for your currently ok situation. 🙄

My dh was asked to work 100% hours for 80% pay as was my friend.
I was on 80% furlough last year despite being more than happy to go to work I wasn't allowed to. I think it is what it is. Perhaps just ask if they'll top the difference up.