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Original poster

So what happens when you can’t take more time off work for isolation?

34 replies

Overthebow · 13/09/2021 22:45

I’m worried we will be in this position soon. DC is once again isolating waiting for test results. Nursery will not have her back until a negative test. She’s got a mild cold, unfortunately that comes with a cough. She’s happy, eating well and playing, in normal times she would be at nursery. This is the third time since she started nursery earlier this year.

We are almost out of annual leave and cannot afford to take unpaid leave, especially as we still have to pay nursery costs whilst she’s off. Surely we can’t all be expected to keep this up long term?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/09/2021 22:55

You can claim SSP I think so it wouldn't be totally unpaid

musicalfrog · 13/09/2021 23:20

Lol @ the idea SSP would pay for a nursery place.

WetWeekends · 13/09/2021 23:31

Some people are entitled to a grant of £500 Shen having to isolate. I agree that it’s absolutely rubbish but don’t see a way round it.

ChocChip01 · 14/09/2021 00:00

Yep down to one week annual leave to cover any sickness for two kids. I have other leave booked but that’s to cover school holidays. I will have to take unpaid leave once annual leave is used up. DH is deployed not back till end of the year so it falls to me, no family close by for back up. All my friends work and have their own childcare issues to worry about. It is becoming unsustainable, I feel like giving up work at times!

Original poster
Overthebow · 14/09/2021 05:59

Can you claim SSP if it’s DC having to isolate, not yourself? Although like PP said SSP isn’t enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
Overthebow · 14/09/2021 06:03

It’s going to get to the point where people are going to be doing anything they can to avoid having to isolate and test, including keeping DC home for a day to get better then sending them in without telling nursery, or dosing them with calpol. We can’t afford to give up work or risk losing our jobs, we won’t be able to keep this up throughout winter.

OP posts:
BustopherPonsonbyJones · 14/09/2021 07:02

There no right answer but people doing this are putting staff at risk. Education staff also have to take time off to isolate and nursery staff may well be in the same position as you, having used up all of their own leave. Therefore they will be watching the children like hawks and sending those with symptoms back home. You may be asked to leave your chosen nursery if you are a repeat offender which would be even more problematic. As I said, not an easy one (only option is unpaid leave) but it’s got to the point where everyone is looking after themselves so don’t be shocked if the nursery staff do too.

SMBH · 14/09/2021 07:20

Why would anyone be “shocked” at the nursery following the rules they have set out? We all know what we are risking, but the possible risk of infections and being kicked out of nursery falls below actually not being able to pay your mortgage or for food in terms of the priority list.

DontWantTheRivalry · 14/09/2021 07:32

We are almost out of annual leave and cannot afford to take unpaid leave, especially as we still have to pay nursery costs whilst she’s off. Surely we can’t all be expected to keep this up long term?

I don’t know how people will keep this up Sad

For the last two weeks me and my husband have each had to take three days off work because our youngest son’s childcare is closed due to Covid (childminder). I understand that it has to close but the bottom line is that employers are not going to be forever understanding towards parents frequently taking time off work and nor can families survive on having to take unpaid leave.

I know that there is no solution, but I just don’t see how it’s sustainable for the next God knows how many months Sad

Original poster
Overthebow · 14/09/2021 07:35

It’s not going to be sustainable over winter with normal viruses flying round. It’s not going to be possible to keep children off nursery this much. A compromise will have to be found.

OP posts:
BustopherPonsonbyJones · 14/09/2021 07:54

@SMBH

Why would anyone be “shocked” at the nursery following the rules they have set out? We all know what we are risking, but the possible risk of infections and being kicked out of nursery falls below actually not being able to pay your mortgage or for food in terms of the priority list.
But that’s the same for them. Nursery staff also have bills to pay. As I said, it will be a battle as they won’t want your sick children in making them ill and there are long waiting lists at a lot of places.

It is crap for everyone.

stitchmaker85 · 14/09/2021 07:56

I don't think you can claim SSP for having to care for an isolating child. Only for yourself having to isolate, and if I recall correctly it's not even £20 a day

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 14/09/2021 07:56

"A compromise will have to be found."

Such as?

dementedpixie · 14/09/2021 08:03

@stitchmaker85

I don't think you can claim SSP for having to care for an isolating child. Only for yourself having to isolate, and if I recall correctly it's not even £20 a day
Yes you can
dementedpixie · 14/09/2021 08:06

Says 'you or someone you live with has symptoms'

So what happens when you can’t take more time off work for isolation?
SilverGlitterBaubles · 14/09/2021 08:11

A friend in this position got signed off sick by her GP due to stress.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 14/09/2021 08:58

SSP only kicks in after 3 days unpaid presumably test results are back within that time and if negative everyone is back in work and nursery

user1487194234 · 14/09/2021 11:30

Like a lot of things this is an example of how the people who make the rules don't understand what it's like for some people
Not everyone gets paid if off /can WFH/ have savings to cover
Ideally people would be paid by the government if self isolating
We can't afford to pay staff in these circumstances,wish we could

hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 14/09/2021 12:03

It’s so hard. No one has thought this through at all. It really upsets me that many people don’t seem to realise that not everyone can WFH or have understanding bosses or have generous sick pay/dependents leave pay etc. It’s going to be a tough winter.

stitchmaker85 · 14/09/2021 12:14

@dementedpixie

Says 'you or someone you live with has symptoms'
No, if your child is isolating without symptoms due to being identified as a contact, you cannot get SSP.
SMBH · 14/09/2021 14:34

BustopherPonsonbyJones I know.

The point I was making is that no one is suggesting they would be shocked at the nursery enforcing rules. Just as I imagine the nursery is unlikely to be shocked at parents trying to keep their jobs.

Silversun83 · 14/09/2021 16:08

@stitchmaker85 - Yes, but the OP is isolating because her DC has symptoms. Not because they're a contact.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 14/09/2021 18:52

@Overthebow

It’s not going to be sustainable over winter with normal viruses flying round. It’s not going to be possible to keep children off nursery this much. A compromise will have to be found.
What do you suggest? Not testing would mean putting all the staff and children at risk as well as there families.
SMBH · 14/09/2021 19:18

What do you suggest? Isolation rules are already putting people at increased risk of losing jobs and homes right now.

Original poster
Overthebow · 14/09/2021 21:43

Having the nursery open is already putting staff at risk. DC was in most of the day before she was sent home, if she has covid she would have spread it around. Staff should be fully vaccinated by now.

OP posts: