High Risk & Still Working

evans3l

Hello

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. I’m looking for some advice for my Dad or if anyone is in the same position.... 

My Dad is 62 years old and is classed as being in the high risk group in regards to contracting Coronavirus thus should be receiving a letter from the Gov in the next few days asking him to isolate for 12 weeks, I’m sure you are all aware of this. 

Problem is he is working in the construction industry in which Michael Gove has said this morning that sites will remain open. My Dad has spoken to his manager informing him that he is in the high risk group so shouldn’t be working, all his manager has said is although his health is of most importance, he needs to keep working as the site is still open. If he self isolates while his work is still open he’s been told by his manager that he will only get SSP, as the sole earner in the household as my Mum is disabled and can’t work ( and is also in the high risk group) there’s no way they could manage on SSP alone. 

Sorry for the long post, I guess what I’m asking is should/ can an employer ask a high risk employee to stay at work even though the Government has stressed they need to isolate for 12 weeks and if he does self isolate is SSP the only support he will get from his employer even though he’s high risk and by self isolating, he’s just following what the Government has asked him to do? 

Again sorry for the long post, any help and/or advice is greatly appreciated. Many thanks 🙂 

Potbellypig

evans3l said:

Hello

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. I’m looking for some advice for my Dad or if anyone is in the same position.... 

My Dad is 62 years old and is classed as being in the high risk group in regards to contracting Coronavirus thus should be receiving a letter from the Gov in the next few days asking him to isolate for 12 weeks, I’m sure you are all aware of this. 

Problem is he is working in the construction industry in which Michael Gove has said this morning that sites will remain open. My Dad has spoken to his manager informing him that he is in the high risk group so shouldn’t be working, all his manager has said is although his health is of most importance, he needs to keep working as the site is still open. If he self isolates while his work is still open he’s been told by his manager that he will only get SSP, as the sole earner in the household as my Mum is disabled and can’t work ( and is also in the high risk group) there’s no way they could manage on SSP alone. 

Sorry for the long post, I guess what I’m asking is should/ can an employer ask a high risk employee to stay at work even though the Government has stressed they need to isolate for 12 weeks and if he does self isolate is SSP the only support he will get from his employer even though he’s high risk and by self isolating, he’s just following what the Government has asked him to do? 

Again sorry for the long post, any help and/or advice is greatly appreciated. Many thanks 🙂 

Not sure why he wouldn't get the 80%, but I personally don't think this will be anytime soon unless his employers pay him. The bold bit is you've got to ask yourself (or your Dad has) is it worth the risk? Tough decision I know, but he'll be no good sick or even worse. 

unforeseen

I think the 12 week quarantine for the extremely vulnerable will become mandatory shortly. 

I was still working while in the vulnerable group, but on Sunday they moved my condition into extremely vulnerable and I got a text Monday afternoon. 

I decided that carrying on working against advice while in the top group was a risk too far. 

Jeremy535897

From the Government:

"Those who follow advice to stay at home and who cannot work as a result will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), even if they are not themselves sick.

Employers should use their discretion and respect the medical need to self-isolate in making decisions about sick pay."

The coronavirus job retention scheme will not apply (what you call "the 80%") because nobody is being laid off. Quite the reverse: the site is still open. If they have a mortgage they can seek a mortgage holiday.

Are any benefits available like carers allowance, PIP, attendance allowance etc? I know nothing about these but someone else will.

calcotti

He can look at Universal Credit. There are online calculators to help him assess entitlement https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/ https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
If SSP is the only income then there will be UC entitlement (unless he is excluded by savings over £16,000).

If employer pays him SSP in this situation I believe he is doing well - as far as I can see, this is social distancing, not self-isolation, and does not entitle an employee to be treated as sick.
https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

evans3l

Thanks all for responding and your help so far! 👍😊 💗