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Original poster

Going back to work when still positive?

48 replies

peekaboo321 · 23/03/2023 13:16

I only work 2 days a week and I tested positive last Saturday. I'm still positive and I feel a bit better but still lethargic and cold symptoms. Would I be ok to return to work tomorrow even if I'm still testing positive?

OP posts:
Lollygaggle · 23/03/2023 13:17

Only if you don't care if you pass it on to someone who is vulnerable or has a vulnerable relative.
if you test positive it means you have a high virus load, in other words you are at your most infectious.

neilyoungismyhero · 23/03/2023 13:19

Crikey you've stuck your head into the gates of hell asking that on here...
Personally I wouldn't because I do have a particular empathy about other people catching it and being really ill.
Many others would though.
Your conscience your decision really.

rileynexttime · 23/03/2023 13:22

I'm team don't go back to work .Same reasons as lolly and NeilYoung.

kegofcoffee · 23/03/2023 13:28

Last a heard was that majority of people are no longer contagious after 5 days. However, if you still have symptoms there is a higher chance you're still contagious.

What's your sickness policy? And can you afford to take the time?

If you can't afford the time off, can you speak to your employer to let them know you're positive and see if they'll give you paid sick?

If they say no, then I wouldn't blame you for going in. Maybe you could wear a mask.

ChocSaltyBalls · 23/03/2023 13:30

Tomorrow will be more than 5 days which is what the isolation period was reduced to, so as long as you feel well enough, I’d go in. There’s no general need to test, unless it’s specially required eg for a job in healthcare

Periornot · 23/03/2023 21:04

kegofcoffee · 23/03/2023 13:28

Last a heard was that majority of people are no longer contagious after 5 days. However, if you still have symptoms there is a higher chance you're still contagious.

What's your sickness policy? And can you afford to take the time?

If you can't afford the time off, can you speak to your employer to let them know you're positive and see if they'll give you paid sick?

If they say no, then I wouldn't blame you for going in. Maybe you could wear a mask.

Me too.
@kegofcoffee where did you hear that majority of people are no longer infectious after five days? I thought it was still approx two thirds of people who were infectious after five days. Would obviously prefer it to be five days! Do you have a link/point me somewhere?

Findyourneutralspace · 23/03/2023 21:12

I wouldn’t if you’re still testing positive, but I’d test again in the morning. I was very positive yesterday (day 9) but have had two negatives today.

Is WFH an option in your job?

Dacadactyl · 23/03/2023 21:15

Yeah of course you can go back to work if you're feeling better! Just wear a mask. That's what anyone at my workplace does if they have it and come in. Just wipe down computer etc after use and it'll be fine.

As if people still stay off work with covid when they feel OK and it affects their sickness record!

DojaPhat · 23/03/2023 21:20

As if people still stay off work with covid when they feel OK and it affects their sickness record!

Exactly! People with weakened or compromised immune systems might actually die should they become ill and many people who are vulnerable still have to take precautions but I'm with you - my sickness record is the most important aspect of this and it can't be affected! I mean don't they know I have a record to maintain!!! Everyone's going to die anyway!

Dacadactyl · 23/03/2023 21:21

Well yeah, they are going to die, just like we all are. And if they're that vulnerable they're the ones who should be staying indoors tbh.

GoldenAye · 24/03/2023 00:26

Dacadactyl · 23/03/2023 21:21

Well yeah, they are going to die, just like we all are. And if they're that vulnerable they're the ones who should be staying indoors tbh.

Beg pardon?

Periornot · 24/03/2023 12:10

'As if people still stay off work with covid when they feel OK and it affects their sickness record!'

You think nobody stays off work with covid, even if it affects their sickness record? Seriously? Why can't people just say what they would do, rather than ascribe their view to everybody? It's so bizarre.

Dacadactyl · 24/03/2023 12:31

@Periornot I am interested in what you would do then in this situation:

You have covid, you feel right as rain, but you've had 2 periods of ACTUAL illness in the past 12 months (or whatever) Not going in with covid would make you hit triggers at work.

Would you honestly stay at home?

Periornot · 24/03/2023 13:44

Personally, I would, yes.

Anonhopingforbaby · 24/03/2023 13:45

Go back. You're fine. There's no laws anymore, and it's the same as going to work with a slight cold.

Periornot · 24/03/2023 13:45

My 'me too' comment was to @rileynexttime, not @kegofcoffee

Abra1t · 24/03/2023 13:46

I'd go back with an FFP2 mask.

AnguaResurgam · 24/03/2023 13:49

The guidance remains that you should stay at home whilst you have covid unless it's absolutely essential

I'd stay off until you test negative. Your employer won't thank you if you infect the rest of the workforce. Nor do you know who might be in contact with those who are higher risk.

Ponderingwindow · 24/03/2023 13:54

the daily reminder that the world is full of absolutely horrible people.

for those that may have forgotten, vulnerable people have jobs, and children, and medical appointments, and would love to just be able to enjoy life once in a while as well.

Original poster
peekaboo321 · 24/03/2023 13:56

I work in a cafe so I can't work from home. I asked my manager what she wanted me to do as this is day 7 and still a strong positive and she said to stay at home until I'm completely better x

OP posts:
Dacadactyl · 24/03/2023 13:57

@Ponderingwindow it's not horrible to be fed up of the back teeth of covid. The world still turned when people went into work with a cold prior to covid. There are people who could die of catching a cold. Thats not a good enough reason to stop your life "in case someone else is too poorly to cope with catching it too"

Lollygaggle · 24/03/2023 14:03

I was fit and healthy and working until a few months ago when I caught covid for the first time . I ended up in hospital, the damage is permanent and it looks as if I will not be able to work again.
On Tuesday I visited a friend in hospital as a result of covid. It's not just a cold , just like you shouldn't be going out to work with measles or chicken pox etc you shouldn't be going out whilst still infectious with covid.

Ponderingwindow · 24/03/2023 14:09

Yes, horrible is the perfect word.

Periornot · 24/03/2023 14:25

There is tons of research on covid. Obviously there is still much we don't know. In all that research, can one of the 'it's just a cold' brigade show me a piece of research that says covid is just a cold. I understand some people don't want to or can't isolate, but why the need to compare covid to a cold, just because cold-like symptoms are one of the ways the acute phase manifests itself?

OP, that's good news.

ChocSaltyBalls · 24/03/2023 14:36

Ponderingwindow · 24/03/2023 13:54

the daily reminder that the world is full of absolutely horrible people.

for those that may have forgotten, vulnerable people have jobs, and children, and medical appointments, and would love to just be able to enjoy life once in a while as well.

And should by now have had 3 or 4 vaccines meaning that we are no longer in the same position as we were in 2020. And can choose to wear medical grade masks if they want.

it’s not “horrible” to realise that 3 years on, following vaccination, and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, that people can’t be expected to keep putting other people’s interests ahead of their own.