Coronavirus quarantine and work

[VocalDuck]

Posting in here for traffic really.

I got back from Italy at the weekend (in the north, but not a town that is quarantined or any current cases of coronavirus).

Following the advice on the news to self isolate, I asked my GP surgery as the town I was in (near Verona) wasn’t mentioned and was told to stay home for 14 days. However, whilst work support me staying home they are looking into whether it will be unpaid leave or not. There is little I can do to wfh and their current view is that I’m not ill, so it’s not sick leave. I don’t have enough annual leave left to take (and have handed in my notice so can’t even borrow leave or work overtime to build up hours once back).

I just wondered if anyone was experiencing the same and what their employers stance had been? I’m trying to get hold of ACAS so I’ve got as much info as possible for when my HR calls me back.

I suppose my AIBU is I feel it should be paid although I do appreciate I am well yet not working. However, it’s not like I can go out and do anything sociable or fun.

I’m hoping they were just caught off guard (this is probably fairly unprecedented in some respects) and after having a think and chat, will agree to pay. Although I wonder if they are worrying about large numbers of employees ending up in quarantine and the financial implications of paying them all.

YABU = unpaid
YANBU = paid

[HeIenaDove]

Claimant: i cant come to my appointment as im not well and scared i have this virus.

JC: you need to come in or face a sanction
Claimant: OK i will then. I cant risk no money no food etc.

OR they will say OK dont come in . We will put a note on your UC account
Then sanction him/her anyway which may mean the claimant STILL ends up going to the JC and demand to see someone.
Are the security guards really gong to physically eject him when that involves touch?

[Bumblesbumbles]

As others have said this goes against guidance and the GP is incorrect. If I was the employer I would say you should return or work from home. If they choose that you don’t work they should pay. You do not need to self isolate

[Aragog]

I think it should be based on reasoning for the trip

But the people who are currently affected by this self-isolation issue didn't go to a known area on lockdown. They were on holiday, yes. However, they had no idea there would be a case of coronavirus notified whilst they were there.

At present there is NO advise not to travel to most places around the world. It is NOT a high, or even moderate, risk in almost all countries. It is still pretty much low risk. In fact, at the moment the most risky aspect of going on holiday is the travel in the car to and from the airport.

Why should holiday makers be penalised just because they go on holiday to a low risk location??


they do if you are at home looking after a child who has to quarantine

The BBC link doesn't say this. It says your are entitled to parental leave but that it may not be paid leave.

[Bumblesbumbles]

Btw I’m only saying they should pay if they insist you stay off as it is against guidelines so unreasonable! Two mins of googling clarifies that the gp and your work are wrong

[Aridane]

Well fuck me - let’s all go forum shopping to get someone to sign us off to self quarantine when government guidelines are clear you do not need to do so.

[IsAnybodyListening]

Radio 4 said tonight that government advice was, if you have to self isolate due to medical advice your company HAVE to pay you.

[Nicknacky]

Helena Why do you try to turn posts to benefit claimants? I would suggest they haven’t been on holiday to Italy or China lately.

[Aridane]

I think people need to be paid for quarantine periods, otherwise there will be people out there who will go to work anyway because they simply can't afford to lose 2 weeks pay.

I agree for sound reasons of public health and public policy - but not when people self quarantine other than in accordance with government advice

[Aridane]

@Nicknacky

I think @HelenaDove is looking beyond the current situation and the impact this would on those losing subsistence benefits!

[Nicknacky]

It’s a complete stretch to start worrying about imaginary situations, she does this on so many many posts.

[HeIenaDove]

When i was admitted to hospital in Feb 2008 with an infection, neither had i.........last time was 1986 which still stands.

I was in extreme pain, diarrhoa like lava and lost conciousness. I dont remember the ambulance ride.

While there a hospital official visited me and asked me if id been abroad and where. So i told him.


I thought the whole point of these threads. was because this coronavirus is contagious.
SO WHAT IS THE POINT OF THESE THREADS THEN.

But if claimants are protected because benefits give them immunity then i guess they dont have to worry.

[4yearsnosleep]

If you're asymptomatic and you haven't travelled from a containment area, you do not need to self isolate even if you're a health worker

[HeIenaDove]

www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/james-obrien-questions-whether-zero-hour-contracts/?fbclid=IwAR0DQj3yh_EdB5BvW4NxHAKYSFNrjkPXkreWZX_7-ZgDHtoY_88DZgHQkKo

[HebeMumsnet]

Evening, everyone. We've got an awful lot of Coronavirus threads on the boards at the moment so we're having a bit of a tidy up. We're going to move this one to General Health, where we think the OP might get a few more replies, too.

[CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt]

Cohle thats irrelevant, she’d still be under the jurisdiction of our government’s health department whether in England, Scotland or Wales 🤷🏻‍♀️

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This is why we are asking for a coronavirus topic. Moving it to general health does not help those who need help on other health topics. In real life covid will be crowding out access to other healthcare. Please don't do the same on mn!

[mynamesmrdiggety]

It should be treated as sick leave and paid if you get paid sick leave.

Can you work from home?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Agree we could reAlly do with a coronavirus topic on MN.

[Cohle]

Cohle thats irrelevant, she’d still be under the jurisdiction of our government’s health department whether in England, Scotland or Wales

Why would a Scottish GP be following Public Health England advice? You realise health, including public health, is a devolved matter?

[Aridane]

Agree we could reAlly do with a coronavirus topic on MN

Yes - we need to quarantine the threads

[VivaLeBeaver]

Well quite, people can hide whole topics if they wish I think.? So easier for them as well.

[HeIenaDove]

Just seen this on Twitter

Living Wage for Brockley Barge Staff
@LivingWageBarge
·
13h
Wetherspoons has sent out a briefing on Coronavirus and has made clear that even if employees are in quarantine by orders of the Government, that they will still not receive sick pay from day one.

The company is forcing workers to choose between public health and making rent.

twitter.com/LivingWageBarge/status/1232993238396624896?s=20

[HeIenaDove]

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