Any public sector workers who are shielding or furloughed?

[ThatsNotMyName123]

Basically as the title says.

Looking to speak with people who work in the public sector, NHS etc who have been furloughed or received a shielding letter

Why are you a journalist?

There is a difference between furlough and shielding. If you don't understand that basic information your thread is pointless.

Anyway the only one I personally know who is shielding is doing admin at home.

I look at a local authority, some people are shielding if they have the appropriate letter, some people are taking unpaid leave to look after children, some people are working from home but the majority are at work, including those in non key worker roles. Don’t worry, no one is being furloughed or just at home getting paid!

I'm shielding due to pregnancy.

@LittleLittleLittle no not a journalist. I work for NHS and I've had a shielding letter. I'm looking to speak with people in the same boat about what financial help they are getting.

I do understand the basic advice...no need to be rude

@Millicent10 I've had a letter.
My boss has said as it stands we won't be getting furlough, but under review by health authority.

The government page says we should still get paid. That's why I've specifically asked for people who are also in the public sector, as wanting to see what advice they have been given by HR

@MsMiaWallace do you work for the public sector? WhT have they said about wages?

The shield letter includes a paragraph about getting sick pay (it essentially acts as proof of inability to attend workplace for 12 week - or longer if govt extends shield)

That of course assumes your job cannot be done from home (if it can, then it’s business as usual)

Being put on furlough is an entirely separate question, and it will be up to the employer to decide which areas of the business have to be closed for the duration. Whether or not any staff in the potentially furloughed group are shielded should not be a consideration

At my LA the people I know that have a shielding letter are priority to work from home. If you are in a role where you physically have to be at work can you volunteer to work from home in a different role? My bosses are absolutely paranoid that someone is going to get away with being paid to do nothing and this getting in the press. I can sort of understand this because unlike the NHS, there is not a lot of love for the council but it makes it so hard to socially distance at work.

I do work for LA.
I just work from home so pay remains as usual.

I'm pregnant and meant to be working from home at the moment however I'm off sick for another 2 weeks. When I go back I will be expected to work from home, (based on current guidance) with a two year old. I'm anxious at the thought of doing my job and caring for my toddler.

I didn't think public sector workers could get furlough? I'm basing this on a very quick glance at the govt website though.

I unfortunately can't work from home at all...looks like it will be SSP only which I can't live off of.
I will speak to my management team about returning to work and just have to take extra precautions to stay safe whilst there

I don’t think furlough applies to public sectors workers. Presumably because the government is funding their wages in the first place

Our advice (LA) would allow you to take special leave which is paid I believe.

Please don't take the risk OP. You're vulnerable and could die if you catch the virus. The NHS offer sick pay don't they? So it won't just be SSP? Hopefully someone that has had the letter and works for the NHS will be along soon to let you know how the pay works out.

Can you find anything online? Can you speak to HR or payroll?

I'm public sector and not shielding, I can also wfh but knowing the public sector as I do, I doubt you would be on SSP if forced to stay home by the government. Does your HR dept not have info available? They will be best to advise.

@AllTheUserNamesAreTaken this was my understanding too.

@YappityYapYap we get full pay for two weeks and then onto SSP for the further 10 weeks.
My line manager has said at the moment it is under review by the health authority to be considered for furlough, but as it stands atm (before review) it's SSP only.

My husband is self employed, so doing the pandemic we rely on my income, and can't run a house off of £94 a week with children, bills etc, so I won't have much choice to work and just take strict precautions

I'm nhs and received shielding letter. Our trust we're on paid special leave it's not counted as sick leave.

@AllTheUserNamesAreTaken that's how I've taken it too, as it's assumed those in the public sector will continue to work, and that their employer will remain open.
That is all well if you're well enough to work, but I've been advised to stay home 😩

@BriefDisaster all our HR have said atm is that it's under review by the health authority for consideration of furlough in special circumstances I.e shielding due to a letter. But until the review concludes, it stands at SSP.

The reason I asked is on the government page it stated employer should continue to pay full pay, but I'm being told different by HR...so was looking for someone who is in my position to see what advice they have been given.

It's very scary having no clue what wage I will get. At least if I know for certain, I can try and make an informed decision on whether to return to work or not

“I will speak to my management team about returning to work and just have to take extra precautions to stay safe whilst there”

As you’re in the shield group, that’s a non-starter I’m afraid.

It’s do not leave your home, and do not get within several feet of any cohabitants, and use separate facilities where possible. There is no way an employer can put an employee at risk, by encouraging them out of the home, in the face of that advice

@iVampire I've spoke to the hospital today and they've said they letters are not mandatory, but strong advice for taking the precautions listed, as I thought they were mandatory.

Fair enough

I was also looking at it from the other end. As an employer I would be unhappy to have someone in the workplace who has been advised to shield (a potential breach of duty of care) and would put them on sick leave straight away

I work for a local authority, currently working at home having been redeployed to a COVID response role