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Original poster

How will this REALLY work?

33 replies

KindlyFOD · 27/05/2020 19:06

So, work in the service industry. Lots of contact with the public. Unavoidable.

New track and trace thingy.. I come into contact with a member of the public with the virus. I have to isolate for 14 days and take a test.

Do I get paid? (SSP is considerably less than my current wages).. And does the time off count as sick days therefore counting against me on the sickness threshold?

If it does how on earth is this going to work?

Service industry workers could have several incidences, none of which would be their fault.. Why should they be penalised via these two measures?

OP posts:
user1635482648 · 27/05/2020 19:09

Well, nobody should be penalised for being ill anyway, should they? That's a toxic concept.

Original poster
KindlyFOD · 27/05/2020 19:10

Of course, but you understand my point.

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 27/05/2020 19:15

Yes I also wonder this as both myself and my dh work amongst the general public..

truthisarevolutionaryact · 27/05/2020 19:15

No easy answers. But if we are to prevent flare ups in different areas / communities the we're going to have to accept these restrictions where small groups are isolated . The alternative is to repeatedly shut down the whole of society as has currently happened and it's unthinkable to continue like this for months / years.

whatacrazytime · 27/05/2020 19:15

I can't see how it's going to work. Like you say you are seeing lots of ppl say you come into contact with someone with covid and you isolate for 14 days but don't actually develop symptoms. You then go back to work and come into contact with someone again with covid and then have to isolate again........ you could be doing this over and over and never actually catch it 🤯

Dadnotamum72 · 27/05/2020 19:16

Depend on your industry but will you be in contact for more than 15 minutes with an individual? It's more your colleagues that are an issue but yes the sick pay is a big question.

Soubriquet · 27/05/2020 19:17

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we wasn’t penalised for sickness

I’m already on a written warning....because I had d+v, severe migraine which caused me to hallucinate and then something with my foot where I couldn’t walk properly.

Gunpowder · 27/05/2020 19:18

I thought Hancock said a week or two ago that everyone over 5 would be able to get a test? So presumably if you are told to isolate you will be able to go back to work if it’s negative? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Gunpowder · 27/05/2020 19:20

Sorry I got that wrong. You only get tested if you have symptoms.

Heatherjayne1972 · 27/05/2020 19:22

It’s not going to work
Anyone who works with people. Doctors Nurses dentists opticians hairdressers chiropodists physios Etc etc etc
All work With people closely for longer than 15 mins
Are we really going to be repeatedly off for a fortnight with no pay
We’d all get fired - or the business would fail

Original poster
KindlyFOD · 27/05/2020 19:30

Thank you. I can't see how it's going to work either.

OP posts:
Lemons1571 · 27/05/2020 19:30

What if you are maliciously targeted by someone who says you are a contact? Can you contest the isolation or is it tough shit?

Original poster
KindlyFOD · 27/05/2020 19:32

@Lemons1571

I might be naive, but I thought it worked via mobile data and that was how they could tell if you had been in close contact?

OP posts:
SellFridges · 27/05/2020 19:33

I think the point is that there should be relatively few cases going forwards.

I did assume that testing would be available to anyone who was contacted though. Personally I would have a slight temperature and request a test.

Dadnotamum72 · 27/05/2020 19:33

Heather I think those in those jobs have an opt out because of the ppe.

BBCONEANDTWO · 27/05/2020 19:45

How are they managing it in London and Korea - do they get sick pay. It's a huge task.

whatacrazytime · 27/05/2020 19:45

Interesting about the ppe if we can op out?

snappycamper · 27/05/2020 20:00

It won't work

Lemons1571 · 27/05/2020 20:15

@KindlyFOD not initially, thinking more of the phone calls from tracers.

BirdieFriendReturns · 27/05/2020 20:21

Won’t work. People get sacked for being off sick all the time, how many posts on Mumsnet are about absence? Normally everyone is on the side of the employer!

thenamesarealltaken · 27/05/2020 20:22

It's a very good question and seems impossible. But, there are things you can do - wear a mask and gloves, and my advice is to get your health in top form and strengthen your immune system...

As for sick pay, I'm sure it's different if the sickness is as a result of your work.

Original poster
KindlyFOD · 27/05/2020 20:24

Fuck. I'm back to work next week. Don't have time to get my health in order. I'm fucked then.

OP posts:
Cherrypie32 · 27/05/2020 20:28

Not allowed to wear ppe in the classroom, entirely likely to be in contact with children for 15 mins at a time. Teachers and support staff could be constantly caught in cycles of isolation meaning schools can never open fully

flowerycurtain · 27/05/2020 20:47

I thought anyone over 5 could get a test. So if you get a test and you're negative you can go back to work.

Cherrypie32 · 27/05/2020 20:49

I think they’ll only test you if you have symptoms.