We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Unable to sign off sick because work colleagues have been furloughed

Before the lockdown my father was on the sick. He asked to return to work about two weeks ago and they told him that he would have to see the works nurse before returning. A telephone interview with the nurse was arranged and it was agreed he could return.
His role requires two people to carry out the work and he has now received a call to say that he is unable to return to work because the other people that are trained up on the job has been furloughed, they are unable to furlough my father and told him he would have to claim off an insurance.
Is this right? 

Comments

  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Before the lockdown my father was on the sick. He asked to return to work about two weeks ago and they told him that he would have to see the works nurse before returning. A telephone interview with the nurse was arranged and it was agreed he could return.
    His role requires two people to carry out the work and he has now received a call to say that he is unable to return to work because the other people that are trained up on the job has been furloughed, they are unable to furlough my father and told him he would have to claim off an insurance.
    Is this right? 
    It doesn't sound right, what "insurance" are they/you referring to exactly?

    If he's able to work but they have no work for him then they should put him on furlough. What does hie contract of employment say about forced absence without pay.
  • sharpe106
    sharpe106 Posts: 3,558 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Why can't they furlough him now?
  • Dr_Crypto
    Dr_Crypto Posts: 1,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Doesn't make sense. They are effectively sending him home so that should be either on full pay or furlough. He is available to work but they don't have the work for him to do. Can they not redeploy him? 
  • Loobyloo87
    Loobyloo87 Posts: 5 Forumite
    First Post
    My father doesn't really know what insurance they are talking about etheir. 
    I didn't think it sounded right.
    If the doctor is willing to sign him off can the works over rule it? 
  • TrickyDicky101
    TrickyDicky101 Posts: 3,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    How long has your father been signed off sick and is he paid anything more than SSP?
  • sharpe106
    sharpe106 Posts: 3,558 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    My father doesn't really know what insurance they are talking about etheir. 
    I didn't think it sounded right.
    If the doctor is willing to sign him off can the works over rule it? 
      Do you mean sign him off sick again?
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.6K Life & Family
  • 261.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.