To be cross with M&S for this?

[MindfullWWer]

I work for M&S, 2 and a half years, not one day taken as sick leave. Tried to follow Boris "strong" advice to self Isolate due to underlying conditions today. M&S Policy says as it's only "advice" I have to take it unpaid on this "occasion" ....meaning don't try it again, you work Dodger, and I'm expected back in on my shift into the heaving food hall as that's the only place making money. AIBU to be feel unsupported by M&S.?..Daily Mail feel free.......

Boot, unfortunately the front line NHS staff are not fully equiped with PPE let alone retail folk. And I know we are very easily replaced, but I'm a determined mum and will stand up for what I believe in. Also, there are many people out there that will breeze through the virus. It's the vulnerable people that may be hit hard/killed. Just think, if the vulnerable are bullied into work, they get sick, REALLY sick, they take up the beds of the ICU and Drs time, meanwhile young Florence has an RTA on the way back from a business meeting and BOSH no bed for you Florence, your broken leg will heal in its own time Hun. Try paracetamol for the pain ....if you can get it.

pixie - why will people be suing companies? We are all going through unprecedented times. You can't just blame employers - speaking as one, we have no idea how long this will go on for. A lot of businesses have lost their income almost overnight! How can we keep paying our employees if we don't have the money to do so?

The problem with is isn't necessarily the companies, it's people.

If it wasn't for the faction of society that like to take the piss and get something for nothing, then companies might be able to provide more support and pay to those genuine cases who are trying to do the right thing. They can't though as too many decide to pretend just to get something for nothing.

It goes for just about everything in life, we have to run everything by what the lowest of the low do.

However, i've just seen that Home Bargains are going to pay those who have to self isolate and at the end of this, those staff who didn't need to are going to be credited with 2 weeks extra pay. No idea if it will work in practical terms but surely strikes a balance between allowing those who should isolate the protection to do so, but also give an incentive to people not to try it on.

It's about them thinking as soon as they say take it as sick leave they will have to pay you and then everyone might do it and they will have huge staff shortages. Taking it as unpaid leave is a deterrent. I understand their worry but they are being short-sighted and potentially putting sick people out there in contact with the public and making it even worse.

Oak, Boris has promised endless money for businesses. How much does a life actually cost?

Lula......there will be huge staff shortages. 20k at least in this country (if we properly self Isolate) up to ....what was is £250k in this country alone, DEAD, if we don't.

I got a letter from M and S and I didn't like it. It was more of a "how can we go on making money" tone than one truly wanting to help customers. This virus is really showing us who everyone is!

Have you seen M&S's results recently? Even before this, they've been struggling. They're now faced with a decision over whether to keep stores open with a minimal footfall that might just allow them to break even, or shut in an attempt to save costs.

I'm hugely sympathetic for you and anyone in your position, but any customer-facing business will have the same dilemma. It makes you realise how precarious they all are, and they just can't afford to pay all their normal costs if their revenue drops significantly.

DD is at an independent school and we've already had parents saying they'll ask for a refund. But that would come from not paying teachers, which is hardly fair. I think there will be a lot of big businesses which will fail over the coming months - we'll just be grateful to have a job at the end of it.

"2 and a half years and no sick leave"...

And..? Are we supposed to congratulate you on this or what? It's not exactly a long time. Are you a very poorly person generally?

OP, I agree but I bet that is their thinking.

Here's the CEO, [email protected] I'd email him and tell him his recent statement is full of shit if he can't treat his own staff fairly.

I worked for them for 7 years and believe me they are not staff focused!

@Livelovebehappy Actually those with a BMI over 40 HAVE been told to self isolate How were they 'trying it on?'

Read this:

www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

@Livelovebehappy Here you go....

@MindfullWWer Do you fit into any of the categories on this list? If so then I think some PP on this thread and M&S are being unreasonable here. The guidance quote clearly says that if you come under any of the categories, then you need to be "particularly stringent in social distancing measures" which does NOT include working in a packed food hall!!!

I work in retail for a very large cosmetics company and I cannot fault them, all “at risk” people have been sent home on full basic pay, anyone affected by COVID19 in any way whether it be self isolating or schools closing have been assured that we will get full basic pay and anyone displaying even mild symptoms have been told to go home immediately.
I expected better from. M&S

So all the shops shut down, where will you buy food?

Presumably all NHS, Police, Fire shut down too.

I work for a major supermarket. Yesterday, the advice for vulnerable staff was ‘carry on working’ (with all that entails at the moment in a packed out supermarket). Today it’s ‘consult your manager’. However because there isn’t a formulated company policy, the way staff are being treated varies from shop to shop. Some have been told to stay at home with pay, some stay at home no pay, some carry on working.
So whilst vulnerable staff on the frontline continue to interact with hundreds of customers, management are safely working from home and stalling in making the decision to allow the vulnerable to self isolate.
I’ve told DH to sue my company if I die 🙄

*2 and a half years and no sick leave"...

And..? Are we supposed to congratulate you on this or what? It's not exactly a long time. Are you a very poorly person generally?*

I think it's to illustrate that OP isn't a raving skiver. It's long enough to prove that.

Thanks Hedda, ironically I've been avoiding calling 111 and asking to speak with a GP as I think they have better things to do. That information is much more clear, MUCH more transparent than the Duty Manager I spoke to today had to offer. I bet GPs and 111 are fuming. Thanks for the Steve Rowe email address. Boire, I think you may have missed the point, all I was trying to convey was I wasn't a malingerer. I wasn't claiming employee of the year. 😄

Thanks Eck!

14 days, 7 days, 14 days.

Schools won't close, no they won't, no they won't yet, yes they will.

One needs to be prepared to be flexible in a crisis but it feels so back of an envelope. Clear direction and compensation for people and firms taking a hit would go a long way. The third of a trillion magic money shows that when crunch times occur megaKeynesianism kicks in.

Haven, YES!!!!!! That is precisely my point. I am so stressed out about this, sorry.

"Of course I want to come. And I will do if my doctor says it's okay"

Give it a few days.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry, but the doctor has said I really mustn't take the risk. I'm gutted"

The lack of leadership and direction where I work is beyond a farce now. You get different advice. I worked from home and was told off by one manager but another said that you can wfh if you don't feel comfortable coming in, which I don't. But I feel pressured to come in.

The CE just sends out emails cutting and pasting NHS advice! Nothing practical or useful.

Oops. Sorry. Wrong thread