I've got covid - I need a bit of help/advice if you kind people can please?...

[Ginismedicinal]

I've had to take time off work - my boss said not to come in all the time I'm testing positive, plus I feel pretty rough and my voice has gone. I've sent my boss pics of all my positive tests. Am I still entitled to get paid? I'm a single parent and can't afford the loss of wages... its not my fault I have covid etc. Of course I understand I'm not earning her money though... what are my rights, does anyone know?
TIA X

What does your employer normally offer for sick pay? Do you only get SSP or do they offer a higher rate? There's no extra for covid related illness.

Do you work with vulnerable people? It's advised to stay away for 5 days but in a lot of places you can go to work as long as you feel well enough to do so

Yeah, you'll only get what you are normally entitled to.

I hope you feel better soon!

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/

Latest nhs info

Totally depends on the sick pay policy

It's classed as normal sick leave. Like it's not anyone's fault that they are unwell with D&V, need an operation etc.

It will what your normal sickness policy is re pay

I'm a hairdresser. My boss seems pretty annoyed, so I've not asked her re sick pay yet...
I rarely get sick so I've never needed any ssp before - I've not idea what I'm doing...

The fact it’s Covid is no different. Most employers allow 7 calendar days of self certified sick leave but depends if their policy is full pay or statutory sick pay. You need to ask your boss

I just asked... this is what she said:

'I’ve just spoken to payroll and they said you self cert for 3 days so you wouldn’t get sick pay .. as you don’t get paid from the first day with covid anymore so if you are off this all this week you wouldn’t get paid sick pay'
😕

SSP wouldn't kick in until day 4 of being off so you wouldn't get paid for the 1st 3 days.

Maybe your boss isn't aware of the updated covid rules (there aren't really any!).

Are you employed? If so you are entitled to statuary sick pay. As a hairdresser myself I totally get your boss not wanting you in whilst testing positive as that means you're contagious- however that is their rule and therefore you are entitled to pay.

Id argue full pay because the rules are technically you can work and your boss has asked you not too. I wouldn't myself for the same reasons I wouldn't work if I had the flu or a sickness bug - because these things can kill babies, the elderly or immune compromised and if you spread it to the team then the salon closes rather than 1 person being off.

Ask about sick pay. You're entitled to it!

Her employer likely only offers SSP and that will only be paid once OP is off for more than 3 days. She can argue all she wants that it should be full pay but the employer doesn't need to pay it

I've challenged her on it (nicely), she's adamant I won't get paid at all.
Really unfair as she said not to come in, which I totally understand, but why should I loose pay for something I can't control 😒

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

Do you fit the eligibility criteria? If so you should get paid SSP after you have been off for more than 3 days. I think she's just got confused with what payroll said about the 3 day thing as you don't get any sick pay for those first 3 days but would for any sick days after that.

it makes absolutely no difference if it is Covid
If you felt well enough to work you should have not mentioned you had Covid (or not tested)
If you are not well enough to go in then the normal sick policy/pay for your job applies

She cannot make you stay home , if you feel well enough to work then go to work . If she then says she doesn’t want you in testing +ve then tell her she needs to pay you as normal because there are no rules for staying home with covid and you are willing to work .

You do not stay home until you test negative.

Your boss really needs to read government advice.

What does your contract say about sick leave?

If your boss spoke to payroll I’m presuming a larger company?

either way, I’d speak to ACAS. You were told not to go in; not advised to take precautions like wearing a mask for instance. Check your home insurance, some policies will cover legal advice/support for employment issues. Sometimes just saying that you’ll be seeking legal advice for x,y,z is enough to open a reasonable conversation with an employer.

If you’re sick enough to be off sick, then normal sick pay rules apply. If she’s told you she doesn’t want you in even though you’re well enough to go in then you should be paid. Unless you’re on zero hours of course.