GP has told me to shield but employer will only pay ssp and refuses to furlough.

sargie

Hi everyone.
I am an asthmatic.
I currently take clenil which is a steroid preventer, ipravent which is a long lasting reliever and salbutamol which is a reliever. I am also taking antihistamines daily and beclomethasone nasal spray. my symptoms are currently not under control. I have been shielding for a while now and my employer is paying ssp. they have said they will pay ssp for 10 weeks and then it will be 2 weeks out of my holiday entitlement.

I have phoned my gp today who has advised that I should be shielding. I explained that I had not received a letter from the government or a text. He explained that they are currently going through the list of patients and sending out letters themselves to patients who should be shielding.

My place of work is a factory so social distancing is very difficult. I explained this to my gp and he said that in that case I should be supported to be off from work. My issue is that ssp at £95 per week is not enough to live on. Had I been with my employer a year id be on full csp. Ive been there 10 months!

I have asked if they could furlough me and they said they are not allowed as they are not closed.
I am therefore considering returning to work as I feel I have no choice. 
Is there any help or advice any can offer please?

Alter_ego

The furlough scheme is to save jobs (called job retention), it is not a sick pay scheme. Sorry.

gary83

Unfortunately you can’t force your employer to furlough you, it’s entirely optional for them, if they choose not to then your health issues are irrelevant, despite the awkward position it leaves you in. Have you looked at Universal Credit?

calcotti

It’s there choice. You may be able to claim UC while getting SSP.
Information here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/. 
Claim online https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

There are online calculators to help you assess entitlement  https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

You will be excluded from claiming UC if you have capital/savings over £16,000.

Be aware that claiming UC will end any Tax Credits, Housing Benefit or other means tested benefits you currently get.

You may also be able to claim Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

sargie

Thanks for the replys that's what I thought but there is much conflicting info out there including the info by martin lewis himself. Universal credit is less than sick pay. Back to work it is then.

sharpe106

There is lots of conflicting information. The actually government guidelines are very unclear. So most companies are not willing to risk it. 

Thrugelmir

sargie said:

My place of work is a factory so social distancing is very difficult.

Company's will need to tackle this issue internally and adjust working conditions accordingly on a case by case basis. Not a reason not to want to turn up for work in itself. 

sargie

It's not about not wanting to turn up for work. I love my job and I want to work! I also do not want to contract a virus that could possibly kill me.
Im not looking for an excuse to not go to work or to sit at home on my !!!!!! on full pay while many others risk theirs lives as key workers. I was looking for clarification on conflicting information. like I said my GP has advised me to shield.

If you are familiar with food factorys you will know that a 2 meter distance is impossible

sharpe106

sargie said:

If you are familiar with food factorys you will know that a 2 meter distance is impossible

The amusing thing is that most of the jobs that people are still working it is virtually impossible to keep 2 meters away, but most of the jobs being furloughed you can. Could not physically do my job if had to be 2 meters away from other people. 

Thrugelmir

sargie said:

If you are familiar with food factorys you will know that a 2 meter distance is impossible

Then unfortunately you may well face longer term challenges. Going to be a difficult period ahead. There's no quick fix. Unless alternative duties can be found for you. Have you had a conversation with your employer? 

calcotti

sargie said:. Universal credit is less than sick pay. 

Unless you have other income or savings UC will pay something in addition to SSP