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Original poster

Time off work for Covid

15 replies

fragminhelp · 13/12/2022 11:47

DH tested positive Friday night. He's never been so ill, nor has he ever had time off work.

He works in public transport, and works 12-13 days.

He doesn't get paid for time off sick.

He was going to go back tomorrow, having had Friday, Saturday and yesterday off, but is still weak, hot, chesty and not eating much.

I'm worried he may be in trouble. He's worked there over 2 years, but I read you can be dismissed for absence.

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · 13/12/2022 11:49

Does his employer have a policy in place for covid, especially given his public racing role?

I'd be pretty pissed off if I caught covid from the bus driver/train conductor etc because their employer might have sacked them for being off sick.

Tillow4ever · 13/12/2022 11:49

*facing

TheLittlestLightOnTheXmasTree · 13/12/2022 11:50

First sickness, he won't get fired!

andymary · 13/12/2022 12:00

Short term illness such as Covid, Flu or a Cold is by no means any credible basis to fire an employee over... it's the way of life.
Exceptions would be if you're on a 3-month/6-month Probationary period.

From the Gov Website -

Illness
You can be dismissed if you have a persistent or long-term illness that makes it impossible for you to do your job.
Before taking any action, your employer should:

  • look for ways to support you - for example, considering whether the job itself is making you sick and needs changing
  • give you reasonable time to recover from your illness
Original poster
fragminhelp · 13/12/2022 12:05

@Tillow4ever we can't find one. I'm shocked at how ill he's been, but he did come home freezing after sitting all day with no heating, which was the night before he became ill, I think that going back for hours in the cold, whilst still ill is not good.

There are probably lots of carriers out there as Covid tests are no longer recommended, we only have some due to my hospital appointments and left from DD's school.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/12/2022 12:08

Has he spoken to his employer to see if tthey have a covid policy in place? If he's unwell he should stay off. He should be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay.

Tillow4ever · 13/12/2022 12:27

it sounds like he shouldn’t be going in regardless of policy - he sounds very unwell. You say probably lots of carriers out there, but those will be people with very mild or no symptoms at all that haven’t tested. Someone that is very unwell and has tested positive should stay home to concentrate on getting well. Depending on his specific job, is he even safe to go in (eg if he’s a bus driver and struggling with illness, is he safe to drive for hours on end)?

i appreciate not getting paid for being off sick doesn’t make it an easy decision - but if you’re sick, you’re sick. Best thing is he tests up to get back as soon as possible (claim SSP) rather than struggling to get in, spreading it further (especially if he’s in contact with lots more elderly or vulnerable members of the public) and having to take longer off to recover.

Original poster
fragminhelp · 13/12/2022 13:00

He's not asked about policy, the person he spoke today sounded annoyed he couldn't give a date to return.

@Tillow4ever that's it precisely, he wouldn't be safe.

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 13/12/2022 13:09

Generally you can be self certified for 5 days and after that you will need a sickness/fit note from the gp.

skyeisthelimit · 13/12/2022 13:16

if you leave the word covid out of the equation, what would he be doing pre-covid? if you feel too ill to work, then you don't go to work.

They will have to pay him SSP but it's only £97 a week and you don't get anything for the first 3 days.

panko · 13/12/2022 21:07

If he's too ill he's too ill.

smooththecat · 15/12/2022 03:18

I’ve just got it for the first time, I’ve emailed my employer to ask if I can use holiday to cover it. I’m on probation and there’s no sick pay. Could he do that?

SirMingeALot · 15/12/2022 08:14

Well the odds of him being the only person on his bus with covid are fairly remote, but he doesn't sound well enough to be in charge a of a very large vehicle that could kill lots of people if he fucks up badly enough.

There's a shortage of bus drivers at the moment, isn't there? So they're probably not going to be stupid enough to try and boot him out for some time off sick. Is he in a union? Too late for any issues now if he isn't already, but if it's the sort of employer who's going to bleat when someone doesn't know how long their bug will last, it would be worth considering.

lljkk · 15/12/2022 08:26

He's very unwell. Sounds too unwell to work. Would be same if he had RSV, flu, or other bugs.

jmcg2015 · 17/12/2022 21:45

If he works with the public, sorry but he really shouldn't be passing it around. It's a difficult situation I'm sure, but it's a nasty enough virus that really not trying to stop it's spread isn't a great way to go

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