Sick pay with Coronavirus

summer25191

hi I recently came in contact with a person from another household whom has recently tested postive, I told my work and they told me to get tested on which I came back negative, but they are still making me take 2 weeks off work and only payin me sick pay which is quite big difference. We dnt live in the same household and gov rules state I don’t need to isolate for 14 if in different household, I am loosing out on a lot of. Money and think the company are being unfair! Maybe they should have paid me furlough instead of statuary sick pay?

Mrsn

Furlough isn’t to be used for those needing to self isolate, SSP is correct in this situation.

I was too of the understanding that if the test was negative then you would be able to return to work. I could see in certain roles that the employer might be hesitant though. What job is it you do?

bala87

summer25191 said:

hi I recently came in contact with a person from another household whom has recently tested postive, I told my work and they told me to get tested on which I came back negative, but they are still making me take 2 weeks off work and only payin me sick pay which is quite big difference. We dnt live in the same household and gov rules state I don’t need to isolate for 14 if in different household, I am loosing out on a lot of. Money and think the company are being unfair! Maybe they should have paid me furlough instead of statuary sick pay?

Your employer should be paying you in accordance with your terms of employment. If they won't, file a claim using moneyclaimonline.
You will win!

sharpe106

Ask them if they have tested negative why do you need to isolate still? If they want you to take the leave then it should be paid depending on your contract as you are not ill and are not suitable for SSP as not shielding.

summer25191

Thanks all I am a landscape gardener and yes my test was negative so was ready to return to work but they want me to isolate for 14 days anyway I have no symptoms and in good health so surely SSP should not be used for this? 

sharpe106

You are not sick or shielding and not really isolating as you have no need. So to me if there is nothing stopping you from working, it is them so they should still be paying you, depending on what your contract says about lay-offs hours etc.

Jeremy535897

Isn't self isolating for 14 days precisely what we are now told to do under track and trace, if we have been in contact with an infected person, and it is not an option to take a test?

sharpe106

Yes that is the case but the OP said he has been tested and is negative. So surely no need to isolate. 

elsien

Have you pointed the government guidance out to them which says that if your test is negative you are low risk.
You say you are a landscape gardener - who do you garden for? If it's something like a care home you can understand them being a little more cautious. Although if you can keep away from people and no-one else is using the same equipment till it can be cleaned, I don't see the issue.

Thrugelmir

Negative test does not mean that you haven't caught the virus. Tests are not 100% accurate. 
Everyone has a personal responsibility not to take any risk. 

Jeremy535897

sharpe106 said:

Yes that is the case but the OP said he has been tested and is negative. So surely no need to isolate. 

Doesn't matter. On the daily briefing they were asked this question.