Isolate or go to work?

[Heao]

I've tested positive for covid this weekend (for the second time, and with fewer symptoms than last time before vaccinations) and am due back to work tomorrow.

There is now no policy, despite government guidance to try to stay at home for five days. We've been informed that if we're unwell and decide to stay at home, this will be recorded as usual sickness absence.

I can't afford to 'decide' to have more sickness absence, as I was off for weeks with the first infection and I've had other instances due to long covid issues. However, I obviously don't feel I should expose everyone I work with.

Should I tell work and ask for advice, or do I just have to inform them I'm unwell even if I'm not too ill to actually work?

I'd tell them you are feeling well enough to work. If they make noises about staying home I'd bargain with them about your sickness absence.

What job do you do? Is it one you can do from home? If so then that is what I would do, but if not then you'll have to take advice from your manager.

I think you need to discuss it with your work in conversations with friends it's clear that there's no set way of deang with it so probably no point in trying to guess what your employer's policy might be.

Somebody at my work had covid a few weeks ago and came in as normal but wore a mask

He couldn't afford to have a week off on SSP and it would also effect his bonus

Sorry OP. People are being put in really shitty positions.