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Original poster

I can't be furloughed.

49 replies

Waitinginthewings · 20/02/2021 09:10

I've just been advised to shield. I only started in my company in November. I think this means I'm not allowed to be furloughed. My work have agreed to furlough me but guessing they've got it wrong? I'm really worried...do I have any other options? My GP has strongly advised me that I should shield but I don't have enough savings to survive on for very long if I'm not earning anything. Are there any schemes for people who missed 30th October cut off?... Thanks.

OP posts:

CornishTiger · 21/02/2021 08:24

The only thing that would be concerning me is the asthma.

@Fucket feel similar.

LIZS · 21/02/2021 08:26

This seems to be an anomaly , gd are "shielding" but t2 are not.

hilbil21 · 21/02/2021 08:26

I have two friends who had GD and who have received the same letter. They've both been told to ignore the letter by their GPs surgeries.

kirinm · 21/02/2021 08:26

The algorithm they've used is picking GD up as type 2. Women who had babies years ago are suddenly being told to shield. My type 1 since he was 7, now 40 year old brother has only just been told to shield. And he actually does have diabetes.

Original poster

Waitinginthewings · 21/02/2021 08:27

Yes, I saw that thread but it seems different GPs are saying different things so I guess there is no official advice.

Where did you hear about endocrinologist Wrecktangled? Would be good to know more. .

I may shield for a month so 3 weeks after my jab....

OP posts:

WreckTangled · 21/02/2021 08:27

@LIZS

This seems to be an anomaly , gd are "shielding" but t2 are not.

Nor are type 1's. Data suggested they're 3.5 times more likely to die with Covid than type 2...

WreckTangled · 21/02/2021 08:28

Can you see the photo I added? It's Partha Kar and he's on Twitter, worth a little look through his posts from the past few days.

Porridgeoat · 21/02/2021 08:31

The people telling op to crack on and work are forgetting that HR will want to enforce any government direction so the company don’t get sued if anyone dies

Original poster

Waitinginthewings · 21/02/2021 08:31

I think I'll ring my GP and see if I can speak to a doctor on Monday (last week I just got a message passed on from doctor via receptionist).

I don't have asthma. I've had few health problems over the years (all really minor), looking at the list, seems GD is only one that counts.

OP posts:

ChasingRainbows19 · 21/02/2021 08:32

My dad is over 70, has different lung conditions including asbestosis. He is diabetic, has increased bp and an overweight male.

He has never been told to shield even now when he obviously is a big risk. Luckily he has anyway. Yet young people who have no real idea why are being told to shield a year later. There’s obviously flaws in the system.

Op obviously we don’t know if your mild health conditions add up to a bigger risk, but I think if it was me and id got this far I’d be carrying on as normal now especially as It’s been a year and was being vaccinated. But this is how I’d react not the op. Gp will have to tell you the official advice.

I’d be concerned about being in probation too. You probably need to speak to HR and confirm you are not eligible for furlough, unless they will be paying you to stay off themselves.

Porridgeoat · 21/02/2021 08:34

Where did you work previously? Is it possible to claim furlough through them? I think I read something in a thread a few months ago about this ..

Porridgeoat · 21/02/2021 08:34

Citizens advice

thewinkingprawn · 21/02/2021 08:38

@Porridgeoat

The people telling op to crack on and work are forgetting that HR will want to enforce any government direction so the company don’t get sued if anyone dies

Nonsense. Work obviously cannot force her in but they can’t pay furlough so she may have to take a more significant hit on her salary. They can also behind the scenes take a dim view (yes ok that’s not right but people do form judgements whether you like it or not). I think it’s more unwise to be shielding at this late stage to the extent of pulling kids out of nursery and losing income and possibly more intangible things in a new job when the OP has no real clue beyond possibly GD (which sounds like it’s a mess up anyway) why she has been asked to shield. I think a bit of getting in the real world unless one has the luxury of not needing to be paid needs to come into the decision regarding shielding at this stage. I would at the very least be making myself available to work from home in a job that new.

thewinkingprawn · 21/02/2021 08:39

@Porridgeoat

Where did you work previously? Is it possible to claim furlough through them? I think I read something in a thread a few months ago about this ..

Most companies are not keen to do this for good reason - they have to pay NI etc. Plus she must have worked there over 4 months ago so realistically it is highly highly unlikely.

Original poster

Waitinginthewings · 21/02/2021 08:47

I think I'm going to see if I can take time off using annual leave and maybe a bit of sick leave...just 3/4 weeks till I've got more vaccine protection.
It's really disruptive to my company me not being there for so long....

They have all seemed very supportive. We've had emails round reminding everyone that furlough is an option, my manager directly mentioned this to me. People emailed me late Fri to reassure me that it's not a problem, not to worry. I am getting good vibes. My job is quite specialist, I would be quite hard to replace.

OP posts:

mootymoo · 21/02/2021 08:59

Disclaimer I'm not a doctor, but it seems all diabetics have been sent letters but if you had gestational diabetes and it's no longer the case it was in error according to my friend (you should not even be offered the vaccine, but take it!) It's your decision but if you are in good health and no longer have diabetes it is up to you if you follow the advice, I would suggest asking for Monday off on sick leave and calling your gp for proper advice. My friend did exactly this and is back at work tomorrow

chopc · 21/02/2021 09:00

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment/population#health-conditions-and-treatments

Your GP needs to use the clinical risk assessment tool. Beware as this is relatively new advise not all GP's would be familiar with it

Sumwin1 · 21/02/2021 09:06

@TheoriginalLEM

What foolish advice to tell someone not to shield if told to do so by their Dr

I don’t think it’s foolish. If you haven’t shielded all this time it makes sense people are suggesting it may not be necessary. Especially if it meant OP could not be furloughed although I understand after OPs update it sounds like all will be ok.

LIZS · 21/02/2021 09:08

@mootymoo

No not all diabetics.

supercatlady · 21/02/2021 09:09

As pp said, you may be able to ask your former employer to reinstate you so you can be furloughed.
face2facehr.com/should-i-rehire-an-ex-employee-so-i-can-furlough-them/

TangerineGenie · 21/02/2021 09:12

Based on your reported health issues I wouldn't be shielding personally after a letter at this late stage, far more likely to be some sort of data error.

thewinkingprawn · 21/02/2021 09:16

I think by far the most sensible suggestion on here is to take Monday off, call your GP and try and fathom why you have been asked to shield. If you literally have no health issues then frankly it is like me (with absolutely no health issues) getting a letter and blindly following it. It would just be odd. I suspect you will be back to work Tuesday. Leave your kids in nursery in the meantime. Work may be fine but shielding in error would be mad and unreasonable.

Alienchannell21 · 21/02/2021 09:29

I thought the additional shielding letters that were sent out were about ensuring those people were moved up the vaccine queue, as opposed to being CEV? Personally I would go to work. You've managed this whole year and we're coming out of it and you'll have your first vaccine dose soon.

ammary · 21/02/2021 19:36

You can ignore it and get on with things. Seriously GD and that's it? Just use your brain and say no.

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