It’s literally impossible for me to self-isolate! What can I do?

[CandleFlames]

So I’m 35 weeks pregnant and I have a chronic disease which puts me in the vulnerable category, needing to self-isolate for 12 weeks. Only problem is my partner works in a supermarket and as you know they are absolutely manic right now. He’s about to start in a new store and I have asked him to speak to his store manager about time off but there’s only so much he’ll be able to get and I don’t know if they’ll even say yes. So he’s coming home to someone who’s high risk after being in large crowds all day every day. Supermarket staff are being worked to the ground right now and their bosses don’t care if they get sick because they need the staff. I’m just worried because this means I’m still at risk even if I’m staying indoors for 12 weeks. What can I do to lessen the risk?

Sorry Candles it wasn't clear that you meant they were expected to work if they are sick. "Bosses don't care if they get sick", to me, read as if you were assuming the bosses 'don't care' because they were expecting staff to work even though there's a risk of exposure to the virus.

@Namechange8471 No. people have suggested how they can up their personal hygiene and distance within their home.

But she can't force him out. And he is not his mothers problem.

They're both adults. They can solve this.

People who have been poorly are still being made to work. His bosses are awful.

Report them immediately! They simply cannot make anyone showing symptoms of illness work. It’s flying in the face of the very clear guidelines. Please report them.

As far as your situation goes. See if you can work out a way of making it so you and he don’t use the the same rooms of the house where possible. So he could live down stairs and you live upstairs except for when each of you use the bathroom or kitchen. But he must ensure he is cleaning both rooms extremely well after he has used them. And things like any light switches, door handles, hand rail on the stairs etc. This is so important. Especially with a baby on the way. He has to commit to this and do it every single time he touches them. He could also wear gloves in the house too. If he can’t commit to it he needs to find somewhere else to go for your safety.

I very much doubt any supermarket managers want their teams to be depleted by an in-store Coronavirus outbreak at the minute. I suspect they are employing common sense and encouraging those who are not displaying COVID-19 symptoms to work if at all possible in order to ensure that the other staff are not even more rushed off their feet.

I am absolutely amazed that the same people that harp on about safety and self-isolating are happy traipsing round a packed supermarket most days. Someone in the office today was discussing how we should all be allowed to work from home on full pay and it was awful how the company was putting people at risk. Later in the day they mentioned they were going to the gym on their way home. Ludicrous.

As you have a chronic condition & so heavily pregnant, your partner has carer responsibilities for you.

I suggest that he checks the company policy about carers & ask for emergency Carer leave. This may mean unpaid leave or some form of flexible working. To help him prepare for this, he can check out this CarersUK page & factsheet. ACAS helpline is also useful.

‘What if I need to take time off to help someone else?

As an employee, you also have a statutory right to take a ‘reasonable’ amount of time off from work to see to an emergency or unforeseen matter involving your partner, child, parent, grandchild, or someone who relies on you for care. There is no fixed amount of time you can take off. The time off is unpaid unless your employer is willing to give paid time off as a contractual right. Also check your work policy on care leave. See our work and career pages for further guidance.’

www.carersuk.org/images/Help__Advice/work/Your_rights_in_work_UK1031_JUNE_2019.pdf

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/other-rights-at-work/time-off-in-emergencies

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19

Does he have a friend or family member he could stay with? If I knew someone in this situation I'd offer them a bed immediately.