Disciplined for Covid absences

[Nahhh]

Hi there,

I’m just looking for some advice. We’re in Wales we’re the rules are a little stricter but basically I’ve been put on an attendance plan for having too many absences.

In the last 6 months I’ve had 2 days off due to a miscarriage and then 5 stints of 2 days due to Covid tests. I appreciate this is a lot of absence but I’m not sure what to do. I’ve 3 kids and they bring all sorts of germs home and unfortunately on 5 occasions I’ve had a fever and a cough so have had a PCR test and stayed home until I had the results. I’ve been told to make more of an effort to stay healthy. I assume if I’m ill again I’ll have to forego the test and just go to work regardless? Morally I’m not sure what’s best.

If you have one of the key symptoms (fever, cough, loss of taste) YOU HAVE TO ISOLATE AND GET A PCR.
Sorry for shouting, having worked in hospital the whole way through I am a little fed up

No you do not HAVE to, it is recommended but no one has to take any test.

@Againstmachine

*If you have one of the key symptoms (fever, cough, loss of taste) YOU HAVE TO ISOLATE AND GET A PCR. Sorry for shouting, having worked in hospital the whole way through I am a little fed up*

No you do not HAVE to, it is recommended but no one has to take any test.

True, it sadly assumes people won't be selfish and will be responsible and bother to get a test.

@againstmachine

Testing may be advised and not compulsory, However, if you symptoms you have to isolate for 10 days unless test shows you are negative for covid.
So if she isnt testing for symptims she would be off longer each time

However, if you symptoms you have to isolate for 10 days unless test shows you are negative for covid.

Untrue again, unless you test positive you don't have to isolate, whether you should test or not is irrelevant.

@whatswithtodaytoday

I do think some people here either don't have young children or have forgotten what they're like. Washing hands is great, but when a toddler coughs and sneezes in your face or they spend the night in your bed because they're unwell, you're highly likely to get sick too.

Yeah, this.

Essentially if they're disciplining you for this then they're disciplining you for a) following covid rules and b) having young kids.

I think what they're doing is illegal. Are you part of a union?

It is pretty clear that you are meant to isolate and get a test if you have symptims. Isolation ends if you get a negative test.

No wonder csses are so frigging high

Posting government advice again for the hard of reading

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

^‘Arrange to have a PCR test online or by phone by calling 119 if you have not already had one. Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit, a test site appointment or a test result. You can leave your home in a few specific circumstances, but do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis. See circumstances in which you can leave home.’^

You either get a PCR or assume you have covid and stay home for 10 days.

Posting government advice again for the hard of reading

For the hard of reading it's guidance you do not have to isolate under any symptoms.

I am not saying you shouldn't but this is same as the hour of exercise which never existed.

@againstmachine

It SAYS self isolate straight away and get a test if you have any of the 3 symptoms listed.

OP has 2 of them so she has done what she should do every time.

Just because the previous times, were negative doesnt mean thatfuture symptoms are going to be negative too.

No one can possible tell if they have covid without testing.

You can order a free antibody test on line that should put your mind at rest.

It says stay at home, I’m not sure how much clearer that can be!!!

All of the results from your 5 PCR tests will all be stored on your NHS app. Use that as evidence that you are going for the tests and not leaving the house appart from driving to and from the test centre. I would also buy a digital thermometrer asap.

@MarbleQueen

You can order a free antibody test on line that should put your mind at rest.

In Wales you can only do that if you’re part of a specific study

You should have posted this in Employment Matters, OP.

The Govt has stated that dismissal due to Covid-related absence would be automatically unfair. That doesn’t mean you can’t be asked to improve your attendance as they have done. (HR Director in South Wales).

But you haven't been disciplined for covid absences have you? You have had 5 periods of non covid bugs that have lasted up to a couple of weeks a time. Due to guidelines and symptoms you have tested and quite rightly so but you haven't returned with evidence as soon as they have been negative

So you have been disciplined for having 5 absences.

Reasonable by Most absence policies unless there are some underlying health conditions you have high casual absence

Going forward, as you work in a call centre is it possible to change shifts if you have another absence rather than loose more time at work? Or can you request to work from home in emergencies? Covid has massively advanced most employers attitudes towards flexible working.