Self isolating due to wifes health

Terry1972

Hi all 
I was wondering if there is any advice I can get about any of the following.
1: I am self isolating with my wife as she has had a splenectomy (spleen removal) and has very low immune system and is currently on meds to help this. My predicament is my company has been a real pain and as I did not feel safe working with up to sometimes 300 to 400 customers an hour and when asked about the 2 meter rule told to just get on with it. I have informed them about my wife with little or no feedback, but  they have asked for proof. So after the announcement about these 1.8  persons in an higher risk category I thought that would help as my wife's immune is very low and she is on a course of medication to combat this, so would get this letter and now have been told she's not in this group as her immune system is not being suppressed she just does not have one (doctors words). I have taken my hols as I cannot work but only have 14 days left so after this not sure what to do

2: This Coronavirus scheme. I have contacted my company and they have stated that they are not going to enter this so I cannot apply as they are not looking to make anyone redundant. Is this correct they can opt out 

Thanks
T

mwarby

2 - the scheme is optional and they are imho correct the scheme is to prevent them from making redundancies

mwarby

1 - it would appear that your employer isn’t really understanding the issue. Is there a HR dept it similar that you can contact that you haven’t contacted already ?

Jeremy535897

If you are looking after your wife who is dependent on you, Government has said:

"What to do if an employee needs time off work to look after someone

Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a ‘dependant’) in an unexpected event or emergency. This would apply to situations related to coronavirus (COVID-19). For example:

• if they have children they need to look after or arrange childcare for because their school has closed
• to help their child or another dependant if they’re sick, or need to go into isolation or hospital

There’s no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.

ACAS has more infformation on coronavirus and can help with specific queries by phone."

Even this very limited help is doubtful as there isn't really an unexpected event or emergency.

NitroBN

mwarby said:

1 - it would appear that your employer isn’t really understanding the issue. Is there a HR dept it similar that you can contact that you haven’t contacted already ?

Even the NHS does not understand this issue, Family member is a nurse also caring for a partner currently on chemotherapy and in the high risk group, the NHS is refusing to acknowledge the issue at hand. whats more the nurses are not being equipped properly to protect themselves on the front line and still being expected to go back home to a high risk household, which due to their underlying issue, should the worst happen the high risk household member probably would not get the life saving ventilator if demand reaches sufficient numbers they become a lesser viability of survival than others in need.

Britain at its best.

mwarby

I've seen at least one medic on youtube, who moved out of his parents house into a house share with another medic, in order to protect his parents. Do you have the option of doing similar, I appreciate its far from ideal

7Phil

Terry1972 said:

Hi all 
I was wondering if there is any advice I can get about any of the following.

1: I think you should be entitled to SSP under the rules that employers should encourage employees to stay at home to prevent the spread.

2: The employers only become part of the scheme if they need to make people redundant -- employees do not have a direct right to access it.

What are you hoping for? As mentioned by a previous poster I feel you should approach HR and lay out your case. If you are happy with SSP just to keep your job then they should allow that if they can afford you away from work.
Otherwise depending on your industry, you may get more favourable news coming your way should restrictions increase and you are forced to stay away from work. Try keep your employer on side if you can, you will want to keep their support.

Good luck, stay safe, and bring face masks to work even if just to make a point.

1977Chad

NitroBN said:

Even the NHS does not understand this issue, Family member is a nurse also caring for a partner currently on chemotherapy and in the high risk group, the NHS is refusing to acknowledge the issue at hand. whats more the nurses are not being equipped properly to protect themselves on the front line and still being expected to go back home to a high risk household, which due to their underlying issue, should the worst happen the high risk household member probably would not get the life saving ventilator if demand reaches sufficient numbers they become a lesser viability of survival than others in need.

Britain at its best.

The trust that I work for is offering free hotel accomodation for staff living with vulnerable people. The trust is also paying for cabs.

NitroBN

1977Chad said:

NitroBN said:

Even the NHS does not understand this issue, Family member is a nurse also caring for a partner currently on chemotherapy and in the high risk group, the NHS is refusing to acknowledge the issue at hand. whats more the nurses are not being equipped properly to protect themselves on the front line and still being expected to go back home to a high risk household, which due to their underlying issue, should the worst happen the high risk household member probably would not get the life saving ventilator if demand reaches sufficient numbers they become a lesser viability of survival than others in need.

Britain at its best.

The trust that I work for is offering free hotel accomodation for staff living with vulnerable people. The trust is also paying for cabs.

I'll notate "caring for a partner currently on chemotherapy" so the free hotel is useless. Oh and the chemo is for a disorder that is worse than cancer in some respects and very debilitating.

sharpe106

Should be able to claim SSP at this time but that is probably about it.