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.......

By the way, the same farce involves pregnant staff too.

Completely agree and this is why there's so much confusion for individuals and employers.. Boris has 'advised' isolation but we should be treating this as 'enforced' to look out for ourselves/unborn babies, families and everyone around us and to either stop the spread or avoid getting it. Also pregnant and self isolating due to a CV case too close to home within the work place, question though, should it definitely be 12weeks isolation just to be safe?

Not sure, maybe Google it? It's so hard to keep up with new information, especially if press conferences are at 4 ish or 5 ish o'clock.

Mnhq, please can you amend the title of my post so it clearly says M&S not sure what happened. Thanks

My nearly 60 year old dad has had all his work taken away because of Boris. He's a self employed black cab driver in London.
He literally has no money coming in at all and there's nothing in place to help in through this period.

There are so many in the same position.

Forgot to say he has angina, a slight lung condition and psoriasis with large, open plaques on his face, hands and head.

He still has no other option but to drive around London for 18 hours a day attempting to find some work.

Looking at the list Haven has posted my dad has 2 conditions considered 'at risk'

It's absolutely despicable that he's being offered no help.

Can employers stop paying contractual sick pay during this?

My local GP has posted online saying they wont be giving lines etc for self isolation for vulnerable groups.

Boris keeps on bleeting about giving money away to individuals etc. Unfortunately, this stuff takes time. Please look after your dad as best you can, hopefully it will "all come out in the wash". Stay safe and stay home.

@MindfullWWer DP and I are doing what we can. But with 2 kids, our own bills, mortgage, food... we can only do so much.

I hate the world at the minute. DP is the most optimistic bloke I've ever met, in the 10 years I've known him I have never seen him so stressed.

I understand. It's hard and it's going to get much, much, harder, financially, and emotionally. Really try to focus on what you can do, ie. Call your bank for a mortgage break etc. Martin Lewis has a great website. You and your lovely family are not alone, we are all in it together. Stay safe.

I guarantee you are well enough to work for the interim until decisive direction is given

No you can’t. People in public facing jobs are at high risk of catching this virus. They may already have it. Those with underlying conditions who don’t yet have it may be well enough to work today but what about tomorrow or 5 days after some snotty kid with their entitled mum coughs all over her?

This attitude towards people with invisible underlying conditions makes me sick . Just because someone has the outward appearance of being ok or just because someone has a job doesn’t mean they’re not suffering and don’t have the potential to be hit considerably harder by this disease than abled people.

If you can guarantee it out your money where your mouth is, otherwise I disrespectfully request you stfu

@MindfullWWer Thank you. I wish you and your lovely family all the strength in the world to get over this hump.
In very unMN style (but I think we really could do with all the love we can get at the moment) I'm sending a huge hug and hand hold.

Has the M&S website been down today?

Mnhq, please can you amend the title of my post so it clearly says M&S not sure what happened. Thanks

Sorry went off subject a little, my msg was a response to somones comment earlier.. only just joined site as hoping somone would have answer to the 12 week isolation question, I've looked everywhere and again 12 weeks is 'strongly advised' yet my work (a healthcare company) have said see you in 2weeks?!!.. thanks for the concern lol
At this time think every company is different plus noone knows correct answers as they're not prepared for this.. I've been offered stat pay for 2 weeks, god knows it that will continue further? Can understand larger companies like m&s having restrictions on their pay for staff, esp if more people choose to self isolate or take the mick.. if you're able to financially, put yourself and baby first even just for 2 weeks to start with as it's not worth the risk.. I used to work for m&s funnily enough so 1) this doesn't surprise me at all and 2) the amount of times customers would get & breath too close to myself and staff was just uneccessary. Feel sorry for those working in retail right now as well as the NHS and other services.

The current advice for those over 70, pregnant or in the vulnerable group is that a period of isolation for up to 12 weeks is EXPECTED to start at the weekend.
This had to be timed in order protect us in the group when the virus is at its most prevalent. Until then we are to follow social distancing advice.

I'm front line nhs on a high dependency ward and pregnant, I'm still expected at work, I'm still expected to care for patients who have symptoms of covid-19 if they arrive. I've been advised I'm currently at no greater risk than anyone else in the department.

When we are TOLD to self isolate I will be leaving despite what they say

My nearly 60 year old dad has had all his work taken away because of Boris. He's a self employed black cab driver in London.

How is it Boris's fault?

My nearly 60 year old dad has had all his work taken away because of Boris. He's a self employed black cab driver in London.

Some people are stupid. I suspect this poster is a Labour boring Remainer for whom anything Boris did would be wrong

Boris tells everyone to stay away from pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants and tells people to WFH; but doesn't actually shut London - meaning that there's no support for anyone who needs it because technically 'London is still open.' I don't know why that's so hard for some people to understand

If he had (you know, like every other country) set something up to help people it wouldn't be such a problem but, of course, the first lot Boris nails out are the business who can take the financial hit for now.

bails out and businesses

You do know we're less than a week into this right? I was in London this time last week and it was business as usual then. I think the government needs a bit more time to work out how to help everyone.

Currently self isolating because I have a cough so falls under sick pay as I am actually ill. I am expected back and if I then self isolate, as per guidance, then it is of course unpaid. I don’t expect them to pay me to SI but I also can’t afford not to be paid. These are difficult times.

@Medievalist Yes I am aware, thanks, however this wasn't a shock. The government were aware this was coming, it's not a bolt from the blue. They knew that people weren't going to be able to continue earning a wage; why weren't plans made in advance?
Why offer the first lap of support to those who aren't in immediate need of it?

The way it's been handled so far isn't great at all.

@StillDisappointed

Oh come on - this is alien territory for everyone. Exactly what plans would you have had them put in place?! What do you mean by support being given to those not in immediate need of it?