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Covid

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Original poster

7 year old daughter just tested positive. Work being difficult

112 replies

Plumviolet · 01/09/2021 16:40

My 7yo dd just got a positive corona result yesterday, I'm negative so far and I work full time in a retail environment but obviously can't now send her into childcare anymore so need to stay gone with her to look after her. My mum is vulnerable so I can't even ask her. My work are saying that I have to take unpaid leave to look after her but I am still having to pay the childminder and I can't pay her without a full pay check. What the hell do I do? Where do I stand?

Surely it is not in their interest to have an employee come in who is potentially (highly likely) positive but not officially on a test?

OP posts:

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 17:30

Do you have a partner? If so can he share care?

If you are a single parent and get UC you should be able to claim the government grant.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 17:32

People saying "what would you normally do" give over. How many other illnesses require a 10 day quarantine?

Skyechasemarshalontheway · 01/09/2021 17:34

You might be eligible for the £500 covid payment if your having to stay home to help your child who is isolating.

Hoppinggreen · 01/09/2021 17:34

That’s really difficult OP but I don’t see how an employer can pay you when you aren’t working.
Well they could but I don’t think they should

SilverGlitterBaubles · 01/09/2021 17:35

There are not many childhood illnesses that require 10 days isolating at home and where you cannot ask another family member to help out. This is going to be very stressful and difficult for parents as employers expect back to normal.

PrincessNutNuts · 01/09/2021 17:36

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

What do you normally do when she is unwell? If she had chicken pox or a sickness bug or something? How is this situation different?

I would normally ask my mum to help, but I wouldn't be able to with covid because she was advised to shield.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 17:38

@Hoppinggreen

That’s really difficult OP but I don’t see how an employer can pay you when you aren’t working. Well they could but I don’t think they should

My employer paid me in full when I was off with Covid and then when I had to stay off for a further 3 days as DS also caught it. It's called being a decent employer. The attitude towards low paid workers on here are shit and this is exactly the reason why people aren't bothering to get tested, because they can't afford to isolate.

Neverrains · 01/09/2021 17:40

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

What do you normally do when she is unwell? If she had chicken pox or a sickness bug or something? How is this situation different?

Well normally people would ask family to help, but that is more difficult now. And also most normal illnesses don’t require 10 days full isolation.

Potcallingkettle · 01/09/2021 17:43

This situation is what the test and trace support payment is designed for.

Howmanysleepsnow · 01/09/2021 17:43

I’d get a positive result for myself, with my name on.

HappyPumpkin81 · 01/09/2021 17:57

I’m a single parent and have been in this situation twice with my daughter having to isolate. The first time I worked evenings and weekends at home almost killing myself (not possible if you need to actually be physically in the shop). The second time, when she was actually sick, I broke the law and my doubly vaccinated father looked after her while I worked. He didn’t get ill, but there was a risk. I have written to my MSP, and MP about the lack of support for parents, but they don’t care!

cls123 · 01/09/2021 17:57

its really dependant on the company policy- have you got access to any written policies? have you got an HR department, it's worth asking them if you are financially struggling as for eg. perhaps they can allow you to work overtime or make up hours another time ? Many businessess have some form of carer leave policy or allow you to take holiday but otherwise it may be unpaid leave I'm afraid. This is precisely why so many low paid people choose not to test or stay home if positive as they cant afford to isolate .

SilverGlitterBaubles · 01/09/2021 18:42

It's sad that on a parenting forum parents are not actually very supportive of other parents, especially working mums who always get the raw end of the deal when it comes to work and childcare.

Kitcat122 · 01/09/2021 18:45

I work in a school. I don't get paid if off for my children. I've got 4 so things could get very tight this winter 🤔

Kitcat122 · 01/09/2021 18:46

Meant to add I feel your pain. I think alot of parents are going to have this problem.

Barbie222 · 01/09/2021 18:48

I don't think paid leave for care for sick children is the norm, sorry.

I'd ask a relative that had been double jabbed if I had one near, but I've always had to take time unpaid for care of dependants (teacher) so I guess it's the same as chicken pox etc, that's a two weeker. Hopefully they prioritise jabs for children soon.

caughtinanet · 01/09/2021 18:50

@Howmanysleepsnow

I’d get a positive result for myself, with my name on.

How would you do that? Even if you could somehow forge the notification not everyone gets paid when they are off with covid, my work only pays sick pay

Suzi888 · 01/09/2021 18:57

[quote kimlo]www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment[/quote]
Only if you test positive, close contacts no longer need to isolate if jabbed and schools are currently shut in any case.
(At least this applies in Wales).

It is like any other contagious childhood disease really, no one would want to look after the child as they might get whatever… chicken pox =shingles. Hope your child feels better soon OP, I would your chances of testing positive are quite high.

Freddiefox · 01/09/2021 18:57

Is her dad around, can he take 5 days and you the other? At least the your work can see you are trying.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 19:01

Chicken pox is very different as it's very rare to get it twice so an adult who has already had it would likely be happy to help look after a child with chicken pox. Plus how many people with chicken pox end up in hospital on a ventilator! Not comparable.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 19:02

@Suzi888 parents who have to stay off work to care for a Covid positive child can still claim the grant.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/09/2021 19:03

If they qualify that is.

Suzi888 · 01/09/2021 19:13

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@Suzi888 parents who have to stay off work to care for a Covid positive child can still claim the grant.[/quote]
@Waxonwaxoff0 not in Wales they can’t. My department has been lumbered with processing them!

Neverrains · 01/09/2021 19:15

@SilverGlitterBaubles

It's sad that on a parenting forum parents are not actually very supportive of other parents, especially working mums who always get the raw end of the deal when it comes to work and childcare.

Exactly this.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 01/09/2021 19:16

You might find that your local council has a discretionary grant if you don’t qualify for the government one. It’s worth looking on their payment.

This is going to be a big issue over the next term and we seem to be walking into it with our eyes shut.

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