Shielding for 12 weeks, employer won't help (Nurse Key Worker)

Onager

Hi
My partner is a key-worker (a staff nurse in private health care).  Recently she has been seconded to the ICU at a NHS hospital to work with covid patients. 
Yesterday she received the Government text stating that as her child is at severe risk and she as the carer for her special needs child must totally self isolate, including not leaving the house for 12 weeks, and it is recommended the rest of us do so also.
The issue is her employer have said she has to take unpaid leave or use any holiday for the 12 weeks.  (Both not possible because of finances and no-where near enough holiday)
They said they could redeploy her to a different hospital with no covid patients for the 12 weeks (Ignoring the fact the government has said we can not leave the house.) or she can move out of the home and carry on working (not mentally safe for her special needs child).

They have also said they won't offer furlough as the company is still operating ok!

So the issue is we are worried sick now as it looks like we will not be getting a salary for 12 weeks which will severely put us in trouble, does anyone have any advice. I am shocked that any employer (especially a major private health care won't even consider furlough to help their staff). And we are extremely worried.

Thanks
Glyn 

Undervalued

No employer is obliged to furlough staff, even when they are entitled to do so.

The furlough scheme was intended to help safeguard the business so that it has a chance of being able to restart when all this is over. Whilst it has been extended to allow an employer to furlough an employee in the sort of circumstances you describe, a business is not obliged to do so.

The scheme was not intended to be a extension of the benefits system, which I am afraid is where your partner will have to look for help.

Flugelhorn

Very difficult - it would be odd furloughing healthcare staff at the current time - sounds like they are trying to help with moving to a different hospital.  Ideal option would be her doing phone  advice / triage from home if she is qualified to do so - I know that 111 have been recruiting 

Andy_L

They may not know that the guidance has recently changed (yesterday?) & employees can now be furloughed due to caring/shielding obligations, not just because the company has reduced business.
Or they may just be being gits

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#check-if-youre-eligible

poppy12345

Universal Credit maybe an option providing you don't have savings/capital of more than £16,000. If you're claiming tax credits this will end if you claim UC and you can't go back. Use a benefit calculator. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

comeandgo

Is she NHS?  My daughter had to stay at home for 2 weeks self isolation due to her children having coved.  She is HDU nurse.  She was put on sick pay as doctor had instructed her to stay at home.  

comeandgo

How on earth do you edit . I note you say she is private, but would she be able to push for sick pay.

Undervalued

comeandgo said:

How on earth do you edit . I note you say she is private, but would she be able to push for sick pay.

You click the little cog wheel at the right hand end of the blue bar at the top of your post. Occasionally you have to refresh the page before you see it.

Onager

Hi all
Thanks for everything so far. We have sent the new guidelines to her work now, see if that helps.  I presume they have changed the rules on furlough because of this government shielding initiative and households are having to stay home for 12 weeks.
They won't do it as sick pay, as it is for her daughter not her.  She is having to Shield as she is the carer..

Mrsn

Undervalued's comment still applies to be honest. Even with sending the new and updated guidance in the fact remains the employers aren’t obligated to do anything about it. 

I think one of the key points in this situation is that the role is a key worker and in grand schemes of things one of the more important roles (they are all important by the way) so it’s makes it much more difficult.

Becles

This is where I've been hit hard. The company is still working and say they cannot furlough me just because I am shielding.

I've put in a claim for benefits but I face a severe drop in income and financial difficulties. I'm worried sick about my future.