Continuously self isolating?

[WalrusWife]

DH’s work place has started testing. Normally they can work from home one day a week but as a load of people tested positive recently, they are now working from home (people who don’t have to be on site) and other people are self isolating.

DH tested negative but was told to self isolate. So he’s working from home and staying home.

My point is, when he goes back to work on Monday, surely there’ll be other employees testing positive and the cycle will start again. So in theory, they are stuck in a cycle of isolating for 10 days, then back to work, then isolating again for 10 days etc.

Is it just me or is this slightly mad? Why not just have everyone WFH or people could be self-isolating every week for months!

If they can work from home they shouldn't be going into the office at all. If there is anybody testing positive then yes they should all be isolating if they work in the same room.

If everyone who has been near someone who subsequently tests positive actually does the full self-isolation properly then the transmission cycle breaks and there are no further infections. The scenario in your OP only happens if people are continuing to do things that carry high risk.

As pp said, if wfh is possible then wfh should be the default. The company shouldn't be bringing workers on-site who can do their jobs from home.

Surely he would only have to isolate if he's been in contact with the person who has tested positive? Sounds like it's being really badly managed if they're being allowed to mingle together while they get tested.

If they can WFH, they should.

If they need to be in the office for some tasks, but not others, then the working pattern should be rearranged so that part-time attendance with as few people in as is absolutely necessary, would be sensible.

He should send then the government guidance that anyone who can work from home should work from home. If he is unsure how to broach the topic, discuss with ACAS 03301075370 or confidentially report them for breaching covid guidelines to Health & Safety "Contact HSE - Reporting a health and safety issue" www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm, or to Police "Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures | Police.uk" www.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/v7/tell-us-about-a-possible-breach-of-coronavirus-covid-19-measures/. HSE more likely to act on the complaint, police more likely to act quickly.

Sadly, it’s one of those organisations that thinks they are above the law, no union or anything as not legally allowed to have one.

DH is now self-isolating as he’s been exposed to somebody who has tested positive.

Our baby is due soon and I’ll be furious if he can’t attend the birth or if me and the baby catch Covid!

He’ll be back in work in a couple of weeks no doubt, then no doubt be self-isolating again!

He does not need to be in a union to talk with ACAS, they advise anyone for free and it sounds like he needs advice.

Thank you for the advice, I shall ask him to contact ACAS!

He can also contact the Health & Safety Executive if his workplace are not following government rules