Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Husband's work & positive results

38 replies

Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 10:14

Basically one of my husband's close colleagues has tested positive, but my husband's boss has said they will just pretend she had yesterday off as holiday (she went home at lunchtime after being told she was a contact of a positive test). DH's manager has told everyone to do a lateral flow test today then come back to work. Is this right? She was in for 8 hours yesterday with all other colleagues, office environment etc, no windows but fans on. He said he doesn't need to close the doors as can't afford it but clearly knows something isnt right as he told the team to say she wasn't at work yesterday.
Any help appreciated, I think he's wrong and that contacts of said colleague should isolate

OP posts:
Candyflosscrochet · 27/07/2021 10:25

If she has tested positive then yes, they all need to isolate as they are classed as close contacts and the boss is wrong (and obviously knows this) and could possibly get into trouble as it's still illegal to not isolate if required.
However if she was notified she was a close contact of a positive case, and not positive (yet) herself, then only she has to isolate.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/07/2021 10:35

Can you clarify? First you say she's tested positive, then you say she's been notified as a close contact as a positive person?

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 10:38

Sorry, writing this on the go. She went home yesterday after she discovered she was a contact of a positive test, subsequently did a lateral flow test which was positive and her pcr test is positive.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 27/07/2021 10:51

Yes, he needs to isolate as does everyone she was in contact with.

I think this is happening when test and trace aren't being informed of all of a positive persons contacts.

Mindymomo · 27/07/2021 10:57

All her close contacts need to be at home isolating for 10 days, they can also get PCR tests done as a close contact without symptoms.

luckylavender · 27/07/2021 10:59

@Starlive23 - she already had her PCR back? Seems really quick

Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/07/2021 11:00

A. Is there covid protocols in place in the office such as desks 2m apart or separated by screens? Do they wear masks if they need to be in close contact for longer periods? Being in the same room doesn't equal close contact
B can the colleagues afford 10 days ssp?
C can the employer afford to pay multiple staff full sick pay and lose the revenue they usually create at the same time?
D will there be a business to come back too if a lot of the staff are off at once?

Technically the separation of desks use of masks etc etc were implemented so no one became a close contact of anyone and workplaces could continue to function

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 11:11

Yes, her PCR came back today, she had it done about 3 yesterday. DH has been told he can work from home today but must return to office yesterday. The office has never been very covid secure, they have no room for it to be, its the upstairs of a warehouse so very cramped and no windows and only my DH and one other lady ever wore masks. They really didn't take it very seriously at any point but have never had a positive test before as its a small organisation.

DH is of the view that some should at least work from home to make it safer for those still going in, but boss says nope, business as usual but if you test positive go home.

DH seems to be coming across as a crackpot saying they all need to self isolate hence my post. They could have staff from another branch come in to work there after cleaning office and people still work from home where possible but it seems to be a firm no.

OP posts:
Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 11:12

Also just for clarity only my DS and one other still have test and trace app.

OP posts:
Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 11:44

Also I'm not sure who to ask about this. DH thinks he could lose his job if he refuses to go in. I know we could seek legal advice if that was the case but I know that can get very costly and I'm on maternity leave at the moment.

OP posts:
Lottie4 · 27/07/2021 11:48

Are they considered critical/key workers under the new scheme the government have brought in? I can continue working if I have contact, but my employer wants a negative PCR before allowing me in, then seven days of LFTs. If they're negative each morning, I can go in.

Mindymomo · 27/07/2021 11:49

She will get contacted by test and trace and asked for all her contacts in the previous 48 hours before she got tested, so will have to give all work colleagues details, then they should be in touch. My son had the same problem where he works, he advised his boss by text that according to rules he will be at home isolating for 10 days. Most employees did the same, but there were a couple who still decided to go in. They all tested and another 6 tested positive, but had no symptoms.

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 12:07

Thanks for replies, he's not considered a key worker. All we can do is keep our contacts minimum just in case and do tests every day on DH.

OP posts:
newnortherner111 · 27/07/2021 12:08

I suggest that you might want to consider contacting the HSE. Also should your DH continue wfh, seek advice to protect him from any threat of disciplinary action or dismissal. Citizens advice possibly?

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 12:43

Thanks @newnortherner I will give HSE a call, I'm concerned to be honest how lax they have been throughout, refused to distance people or put up screens and now encouraging people to pretend she wasn't there, its really inconsiderate. Don't get me wrong I'm not mad about having DH here all day every day, but for the sake of other people it's the responsible thing to do so would happily do it.

OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 27/07/2021 12:48

DH has been told he can work from home today but must return to office yesterday

Yesterday?

Presumably the colleague has spoken to Test and Trace and told them when she was at work and who her contacts were?

It’s not up to the boss!

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 12:54

Tomorrow, not yesterday. Apologies.

OP posts:
Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/07/2021 12:59

@Starlive23

Thanks *@newnortherner* I will give HSE a call, I'm concerned to be honest how lax they have been throughout, refused to distance people or put up screens and now encouraging people to pretend she wasn't there, its really inconsiderate. Don't get me wrong I'm not mad about having DH here all day every day, but for the sake of other people it's the responsible thing to do so would happily do it.
Not condoning the employers response to the pandemic in any way shape or form but do take into consideration any possible consequences to the business should any action be taken against the company. If your DH has felt his employers precautions against covid has been inadequate then he's had plenty of time to look for an alternative employment with better covid protocols in place, its a bit late complaining now to HSE after saying nothing all this time
Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 13:07

I'm not sure how it's all worked but assume that as she's had a PCR test they will ask about contacts which is going to include the office staff, but as colleague has been told to say she was off that day (colleague is boss' partner) Then maybe they won't be told to self isolate or whatever their advice will be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 13:15

@wellthebloodyhell he was made redundant at start of pandemic, he's worked in current job since October, I wish he'd spoke uo sooner but we were in a lot of trouble financially I think he didn't want to rock the boat as he was last in, didn't want to be first out.

There are a few who wore masks anyway, my DH being one of them but as I understand they are sort of made fun of and the general tone is that it's all nonsense. It's more the lying that bothers me to be honest, if people are happy to go back to work, it's their perogative I suppose but wish DH wasn't being singled out as a nutter because he's more cautious. We have a very young baby and DH's elderly father living with us so have been more on the careful side anyway.

The whole company appears to run by way of favourites and who is in the pub and one of the lads which is a whole other story, but to say that he was told to come back to work the afternoon of his grandads funeral gives you a flavour of the place. Hopefully it's a stop gap.

OP posts:
Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/07/2021 13:26

@Starlive23 in your circumstances I'd focus on looking for DH alternative employment (I know easier said than done in the current climate) I wouldn't rock the boat with the existing employer especially if he will need a reference from them in the future. Its the whole workforces family finances that your putting jeopardy by reporting them if the worst happens and the company has to fold. In my experience dodgy employers just set up elsewhere

Rainbowsandstorms · 27/07/2021 13:59

Hopefully your DH will be put down as a close contact. Does he have a good relationship with the person who tested positive? If so can he find out if she will follow the protocol and identify him as a close contact, as him staying at home for 10 days is then legally binding.

Original poster
Starlive23 · 27/07/2021 14:14

@wellthebloodyhell yes agree with you, the turnover of staff there is high and hopefully DH can go back into his old line of work. Just hope they don't lie and say she wasn't there to keep it open as I fear if anyone 3lse has it they will all be mingling until someone doesn't feel well, then the damage will be done.

OP posts:
fadingfast · 27/07/2021 15:04

Your DH can refuse to attend the workplace if he reasonably considers there to be a significant risk of harm to himself or others. He has protection against any detriment or a dismissal for doing so, although I appreciate that you might not want to test this out! Suggest he contacts Acas for advice.

Abraxan · 27/07/2021 15:12

[quote luckylavender]@Starlive23 - she already had her PCR back? Seems really quick [/quote]
Pften PCRs come back very quickly, well within 24 hours.
DD has one done last week. Was done just after lunch on Thursday. She woke up to the result coming through on Friday morning.

Swipe left for the next trending thread