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Covid

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Original poster

is my boss allowed to do this

23 replies

isthisright22 · 02/02/2022 20:10

hi,
I tested positive on the 21st Jan. Continued to test positive on lateral flow so ended up doing the whole isolation.

My boss is saying because i'm still testing positive on lateral flows i'm not allowed into work and need 2 negatives in a row to go back, is this even allowed? i'm wondering whether she's just made it up on the spot unless companies are able to have their own rules.

I was always under the impression that if you have completed your isolation period you are then free to go back to work/carry on as normal as gov guidelines say.

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 02/02/2022 20:11

What is your companies policy that was written up and handed to you before this ?

Whiteminnowfish · 02/02/2022 20:31

You boss is correct. You need to test negative for 2 days in a row to come out of isolation

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 02/02/2022 20:32

@Whiteminnowfish

You boss is correct. You need to test negative for 2 days in a row to come out of isolation

Not after 10 days it isn't.

IWillBeSeeingYou · 02/02/2022 20:33

It’s 2 days in a row for early release or 10 days.
I suppose companies may have their own company rules

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 02/02/2022 20:33

@Whiteminnowfish

Not after day 10, the 2 negatives are to come out of isolation early

FawnFrenchieMum · 02/02/2022 20:34

I guess they can have their own policy but as it’s directly against the government advice I would also expect that you are on full pay?

Scarby9 · 02/02/2022 20:35

No you don't, @Whiteminnowfish
You need to test negative 24hrs apart to come out of isolation early.
After 10 days you are fine to go out, mingle and return to work, even if still testing positive, according to the gov guidelines.

BrunoNoNoNo · 02/02/2022 20:40

My workplace it's 2 neg tests or after day 14 (NHS)

Tiramysu · 02/02/2022 20:58

@Whiteminnowfish

You boss is correct. You need to test negative for 2 days in a row to come out of isolation

Not after the isolation period of 10 days. Some people test negative for ages after that's why you shouldn't bother testing again for 90 days after

BobLemon · 02/02/2022 21:00

You don’t have to isolate if you’re a close contact either, but is my team member who has a positive kid coming to our face to face meeting tomorrow? Bugger off are they.

catfunk · 02/02/2022 21:15

Have you checked gov.uk op? It's clearly laid out on there.
Does your workplace have their own Covid policy?

BeenToldComputerSaysNo · 02/02/2022 21:20

@BobLemon

You don’t have to isolate if you’re a close contact either, but is my team member who has a positive kid coming to our face to face meeting tomorrow? Bugger off are they.

Makes sense. I'm sure many businesses will be trying to protect their business and going beyond what government suggest if they are able.

treeflowercat · 02/02/2022 21:36

@Whiteminnowfish

You boss is correct. You need to test negative for 2 days in a row to come out of isolation

@Whiteminnowfish

You are incorrect.

@isthisright22

Here are the actual rules:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/

I'd show these to your boss.

LFTs and PCRs can pick up dead virus too I believe, hence why you can test positive for longer.

Original poster

isthisright22 · 02/02/2022 22:18

Thanks for all the replies. I don't recall reading anything at work that states we can't return until we are negative on a lateral flow.

I'm not on full pay but 80%. I'm just a bit peeved as I'm missing out on that extra 20% which makes all the difference for me.

I work in a hotel if that's relevant.

OP posts:

Imfedupwithallofthis · 03/02/2022 06:37

I would think that your boss is allowed to do this, if she thinks that it is sensible to do so, and if nothing to the contrary is written in any of the companies official guidelines.

However, since you could test positive for some time, months even, does she want to continue paying 80% of your salary, whilst you go about enjoying yourself, shopping, partying, holidaying etc?

And is she asking personally to see your results, or is she taking them on trust?

She is losing out, come what may, and so are you.

Gentle persuasion and a link to gov.uk guidelines might be the best way to go forward.

Oysterbabe · 03/02/2022 06:53

I'd lie and say they're negative. You've done your isolation period.

ItsSnowJokes · 03/02/2022 06:56

Can you claim the covid £500 payment as you are losing out on pay being off work? That may help with the 20%.

Your boss is totally wrong by the way.

dunroamingfornow · 03/02/2022 06:59

I believe employers can state their own Covid safe regulations but as a minimum they must include the requirements set out by the government. This probably means if they want 2 negative tests in a row they can ask for that just like some employers will state you have to work at home if you have been a close contact.

Sloughsabigplace · 03/02/2022 07:16

You could be like me and still be testing office on LFT 4 weeks on.

Above poster is right, would she still pay you 80% while you were free to do as you liked apart from go to work?

Madness.

Sloughsabigplace · 03/02/2022 07:17

*testing positive

treeflowercat · 03/02/2022 07:17

@Imfedupwithallofthis

I would think that your boss is allowed to do this, if she thinks that it is sensible to do so, and if nothing to the contrary is written in any of the companies official guidelines.

However, since you could test positive for some time, months even, does she want to continue paying 80% of your salary, whilst you go about enjoying yourself, shopping, partying, holidaying etc?

And is she asking personally to see your results, or is she taking them on trust?

She is losing out, come what may, and so are you.

Gentle persuasion and a link to gov.uk guidelines might be the best way to go forward.

I've been astonished recently how some people on MN are slavishly willing to follow every rule foisted upon them irrespective of the personal cost to them even if the application of the rule clearly has no benefit or virtually no risk to others.

General respect for the rules is good, but mindless compliance is crazy, and a dictator's dream.

OP - Just say you tested negative ffs!

Cornettoninja · 03/02/2022 15:44

I think you’re within your rights to refuse to test any further. You’ve completed the isolation period officially set so as long as you’re symptoms have resolved (apart from a couple - fever/vomiting/diarrhoea I think) and you feel well your manager is now depriving you of wages.

You could seek advice from ACAS but I would be inclined to put the onus on your manager and tell them unless they can provide documented advice from a verified source you’ll be back at work and expecting to see a full wage for any days you’ve been refused entry to work already. Make noises about legal representation/advice if they won’t back down or fulfil your request for documented evidence of what you’re being asked to do.

You shouldn’t test for 90 days now without new symptoms so that’s a long time you could potentially be down 20% of your wages.

Cornettoninja · 03/02/2022 15:45

You’re = your

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