Self isolating employment question

toozie_2

I need some advice please?

We are Wales if that makes any difference.
I have MS & asthma and work from home 3 days a week usually anyway.
Hubby works for a construction company (about 50 staff) has been with them 20 years.
He is fit and well, but due to my conditions he has self-isolated with me for the last week and will continue to do so
The construction company is very busy. Initially in the first 3 days hubby was left alone as he did some work from home.
The boss has now stated he doesn’t know how he is going to pay him, and no one else in the company is off or self isolating, as far as I’m aware they will continue to stay open and work until they “have” to close by government instruction.
I think I’ve read the boss can’t sack him for hubby’s actions? What are his pay options please? 

Thank you x

KatrinaWaves

There are various precautions  to take if working with an isolating person. I haven’t seen any gov provision that allows for full pay because someone who is well chooses to isolate with a vulnerable person. 

gettingtheresometime

I know that in situation like yours it would make sense for your husband to self isolate but unless he can persuade his employer to furlough him then he has no really options - unless of course either you or he displays symptoms.

We work closely with the construction industry and have noticed that whilst the government may not have told the construction industry to close there is definitely a slowly down especially as materials dry up so you never know.


In the meantime have you looked at the govt guidelines for someone who lives with a vulnerable person?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

(the bit relevant to you is a little down the page)

Takeaway_Addict

toozie_2 said:

I need some advice please?

We are Wales if that makes any difference.
I have MS & asthma and work from home 3 days a week usually anyway.
Hubby works for a construction company (about 50 staff) has been with them 20 years.
He is fit and well, but due to my conditions he has self-isolated with me for the last week and will continue to do so
The construction company is very busy. Initially in the first 3 days hubby was left alone as he did some work from home.
The boss has now stated he doesn’t know how he is going to pay him, and no one else in the company is off or self isolating, as far as I’m aware they will continue to stay open and work until they “have” to close by government instruction.
I think I’ve read the boss can’t sack him for hubby’s actions? What are his pay options please? 

Thank you x

He should ask the boss to furlough him- if he is off otherwise unless you have symptoms then I don't believe your OH is entitled to any pay- at the moment he is choosing not to work

unforeseen

Furlough is not available for this situation and as been said neither is SSP because it was his personal choice

Although it does sound like there is a chance of a disciplinary.

He has self isolated with you for one week so has one more week to go. What happens then? None of your conditions put you into the group that has to be isolated for 12 weeks. The only advice for your group is to practice social distancing. 

Takeaway_Addict

unforeseen said:

Furlough is not available for this situation and as been said neither is SSP because it was his personal choice

Although it does sound like there is a chance of a disciplinary.

He has self isolated with you for one week so has one more week to go. What happens then? None of your conditions put you into the group that has to be isolated for 12 weeks. The only advice for your group is to practice social distancing. 

I meant he returns to work and is immediately put on furlough

unforeseen

He cannot go on furlough. The company still has work so there is no reason to employ job retention measures. It is their decision. 

middleclassbutpoor

Not the answer you were probably looking for but...

• If he cannot work from home - he has to go to work. 

• If either of you have shown symptoms then you should self isolate for the given time before he can go to work. 

• If you feel that he would be putting you at risk by going to work - work out how to social distance at home to reduce the risk. 

• If he doesn't feel comfortable working and having to social distance at home, he should advise his employer that he is not prepared to work, unless he can do so from home. By making this decision, he should also expect that his employer could let him go, or refuse to pay him whilst there is work still to be done.  

If the firm runs out of work, and he fits the situation where he can be furloughed, then that may be the time he can be looked after which allows you to both be home. 

His 20 years of work offer some legal protection and benefit for redundancy in general terms but for the current situation, makes no difference really.  He has been paid for those 20 years of work so anything other than some goodwill (which looks like has been shown already) then you need to go into whatever you decide next with your eyes wide open that there will be a limit to his employers flexibility.  

Takeaway_Addict

unforeseen said:

He cannot go on furlough. The company still has work so there is no reason to employ job retention measures. It is their decision. 

You're wrong I'm afraid, if the employer wished to furlough then in the current climate they are more than entitled to

BrassicWoman

Takeaway_Addict said:

unforeseen said:

He cannot go on furlough. The company still has work so there is no reason to employ job retention measures. It is their decision. 

You're wrong I'm afraid, if the employer wished to furlough then in the current climate they are more than entitled to

I am afriad you are wrong. The company can furlough only where it is an alternative to redundancy. In this case it seems there is plenty of work, so redundancy would not be considered. They can't just shut up shop and claim cash. It is not a "stop and claim cash wherever you fancy" position.

Takeaway_Addict

BrassicWoman said:

Takeaway_Addict said:

unforeseen said:

He cannot go on furlough. The company still has work so there is no reason to employ job retention measures. It is their decision. 

You're wrong I'm afraid, if the employer wished to furlough then in the current climate they are more than entitled to

I am afriad you are wrong. The company can furlough only where it is an alternative to redundancy. In this case it seems there is plenty of work, so redundancy would not be considered. They can't just shut up shop and claim cash. It is not a "stop and claim cash wherever you fancy" position.

In Normal times I would agree but these are not normal times...even Martin Lewis himself is encouraging it. The fact is the OP would be layed off under normal circumstances so it would be entirely reasonable to allow him to be furloughed
https://twitter.com/MartinSLewis/status/1245028064549130242
All it requires is both parties to agree to furlough