Boss insisting I go to work

[2020ismyyear]

My son has started with a dry, persistent cough so we should all now self-isolate (I have 2 other children who can’t go into school now either). My boss, however, is insisting that I go to work tomorrow as it is only “advice”. Anyone know where I stand or where I can get advice? It’s a school setting and I’m too scared to phone in 😢

The actual quote from BBC news website is:

If one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days

That's not "advice", it's telling you, you must stay at home. Your boss is an idiot. I would quote this at him, especially as you're in a school setting. I can only imagine what the parents would think!!

Public Health England says "if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill"

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

As you're in a school setting, could you speak to your union? Mine (NASUWT) is answering corona related stuff really quickly at the moment.

That said, I wouldn't go in tomorrow regardless. Government guidance is clear - you MUST stay at home. Social distancing is advisory, but the isolation for potentially affected people and their families is definitive.