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

[Aragog]

Should the school be closed?

From what those working in our school office has said - the advice for England so far is that no, they don't need to close.

However, schools are closing even when pupils haven't got a case - the one in Derbyshire closed because a parent has. Some have closed as some pupils visited the affected regions in Italy. Its ultimately down to individual schools.

[notthe1Parrot]

From what I have understood from several radio sources is that if you are off work because your child cannot go to school, then the ‘normal’ rules apply i.e you are allowed emergency time off (unpaid), normally a day or two, to arrange ongoing childcare.