Business not closing but told to go home?

Nickyno

I will refer to the people involved as numbers.
What happens when someone (1) is working for a small limited company, who are continuing to work, when other employees are not working 2 meters apart.  This person (1)  lives with his partner (2) who has heart problems and other health issues.  Someone within the business (3) has a partner (4) who has been asked to go back to work for the NHS on the frontline, and will no doubt come into contact with Covid-19.  The employee (3) will stay at home for 2 days a week to look their children while his partner (4) is working for the NHS.  On the other 3 days this employee (3) will return to his usual employment, and work not keeping 2 meters from any other employees.  The employee (1) whose partner (2) has health issues has been told it would be better for them to go home and isolate, so as not to chance picking the virus up and passing it to his partner.  However because the business in not closing down they will not pay (1) any wages and said they should claim SSP.  Has the employers not got a duty of care to keep the employees safe?  This person (1) is worried, and welcomes any advice.

Thankyou for taking time to read this post and I hope someone will be able to advise accordingly.

sharpe106

They have a duty of care which is why they suggested that you go home. Unfortunately they do not have a duty to also pay you, that would depend on what your contract says, which by the sounds of is just SSP.