Over 70 returning to work

shazkhan111

I am over 70 and work in the front line. I have taken unpaid leave over the last few months due to the pandemic. Initially i did benefit from furlough but no my employer says i cannot take unpaid leave and need to return to work. What are my options and are they right to suggest this? I am happy to return but naturally nervous due to my age and work where contact with the public is essential.

Jeremy535897

You have a contract of employment, and that means you have to work the hours you are contracted for, unless your employer says otherwise (as they did when allowing you to take unpaid leave). If you have a shielding letter, that is a different issue, but people over 70 generally are regarded as clinically vulnerable, not clinically extremely vulnerable, unless there are other health issues.

It may be time to explore whether you can do something for your existing employer where you are not in the front line, or find a new safer job, or retire.

ReThinkMoney

You unfortunately are looking at either shielding if you have a letter stating you should which then would give you SSP or the other option would be to hand your notice and look for another job somewhere else.  

Thrugelmir

Do you need to work still?  

Mrsn

You have very few options I’m afraid. Your employer wishes you to return to the work you are contracted to do. 

They have declined further unpaid leave which is their choice, I understand your hesitant but if you still wish to be employed in this role then you will have to return.

Aranyani

If you do go back to work there are lots of things you can do to minimise your risk, but it will be a steep learning curve if you've been isolating at home for months and haven't got used to doing them as second nature. 

A lot of clinically vulnerable people have been working all the way through this, including in front line NHS, social care and other public facing jobs.  

hb2

ReThinkMoney said:

You unfortunately are looking at either shielding if you have a letter stating you should which then would give you SSP or the other option would be to hand your notice and look for another job somewhere else.  

Is SSP available to people above state pension age?

Jeremy535897

Yes. See https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/discrimination-rights/work-rights/

hb2

Jeremy535897 said:

Yes. See https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/discrimination-rights/work-rights/

Thank you.

Iamdebtfree

Why do you have to work? What happened to state pension and/or relevant benefits??

unforeseen

As far as shielding goes, that is no longer in use.
I have just had the letter as somebody who is in the extremely vulnerable category and for work at all tiers it states

Unlike the guidance that has been in place since 5 November, we are no longer advising you to stay away from work or school. However, you should continue to keep the number of social interactions that you have low and try to reduce the amount of time you spend in settings where you are unable to maintain social distancing. This might include gatherings with large numbers of people, especially indoors, because it significantly increases your risk.

So people of all groups should return to work.