Can my boss tell my work colleagues I've been pinged as a close contact

MartyColeman

A couple of days ago a relative of mine had been tested positive for covid. The next day I got a message saying as a close contact and I should self isolate and get tested. So I did what I felt was the right thing and notified my boss I will be self isolating and went for a PCR test the next morning.  I am still waiting the results of the PCR test but have taken 2 lateral flow tests both of which are negative and I have no symptoms. 

I have now found out from a colleague that my boss has told my co workers I am self isolating as a close contact and taking a PCR test.

I feel this was a breach of confidentiality, but unsure who is right. Was my boss obliged to inform my colleagues at this stage?

Thrugelmir

Aren't you concerned for your work colleagues welfare?  

k3lvc

Possibly but really depends on how far you want to push it and what you motives are

Given it's factually correct, might impact on others and is a fairly normal situation at the moment I'm struggling to see what the issue is ?

Grumpy_chap

MartyColeman said:

A couple of days ago a relative of mine had been tested positive for covid. The next day I got a message saying as a close contact and I should self isolate and get tested. So I did what I felt was the right thing and notified my boss I will be self isolating and went for a PCR test the next morning.  I am still waiting the results of the PCR test but have taken 2 lateral flow tests both of which are negative and I have no symptoms. 

I have now found out from a colleague that my boss has told my co workers I am self isolating as a close contact and taking a PCR test.

I feel this was a breach of confidentiality, but unsure who is right. Was my boss obliged to inform my colleagues at this stage?

Possibly, on a technicality, it was a breach of GDPR.

BUT, your colleagues will have noticed you did not turn up at work and the boss probably simply mentioned why you were absent in a conversational manner.  It is difficult as the boss could not have said "unwell" or "annual leave" as you are not, and something like "authorised absence" would raise more questions than answers.

Your colleagues are probably grateful that you did the right thing and stayed away once pinged while awaiting the PCR result, and that your boss supported that.

Why is it a concern to you that your boss has said what was said?

What would you have preferred that your boss said to your colleagues?

MartyColeman

Grumpy_chap said:

MartyColeman said:

A couple of days ago a relative of mine had been tested positive for covid. The next day I got a message saying as a close contact and I should self isolate and get tested. So I did what I felt was the right thing and notified my boss I will be self isolating and went for a PCR test the next morning.  I am still waiting the results of the PCR test but have taken 2 lateral flow tests both of which are negative and I have no symptoms. 

I have now found out from a colleague that my boss has told my co workers I am self isolating as a close contact and taking a PCR test.

I feel this was a breach of confidentiality, but unsure who is right. Was my boss obliged to inform my colleagues at this stage?

Possibly, on a technicality, it was a breach of GDPR.

BUT, your colleagues will have noticed you did not turn up at work and the boss probably simply mentioned why you were absent in a conversational manner.  It is difficult as the boss could not have said "unwell" or "annual leave" as you are not, and something like "authorised absence" would raise more questions than answers.

Your colleagues are probably grateful that you did the right thing and stayed away once pinged while awaiting the PCR result, and that your boss supported that.

Why is it a concern to you that your boss has said what was said?

What would you have preferred that your boss said to your colleagues?

I had already told the guys I was taking the day off and would see them next week. There was no issue until the boss mentioned the reason why and now I hear I'm the talk of the workplace.  Some of the guys aren't bothered but some others are getting carried away with paranoia.

From what I hear it was the boss who came out and took the initiative to call an informal meeting to tell them.

I would of rather waited for the results of the PCR before causing unnecessary concern. And having taken 2 lateral flow tests, have no symptoms and only fleetingly passed by my cousin the other day which was the "close contact" I'm pretty sure I'm fine.

I do understand the boss would of been in a difficult position if he was asked why and can't lie but that isn't what happened. I just think it wasn't handled well and now people are gossiping.

MartyColeman

k3lvc said:

Possibly but really depends on how far you want to push it and what you motives are

Given it's factually correct, might impact on others and is a fairly normal situation at the moment I'm struggling to see what the issue is ?

Not something I'm pushing, just questioning the necessity of it. I can understand if i tested positive but so far ive had 2 negative lft's have no symptoms and feel fine and awaiting the results of the pcr test, which I told him.  Was it really necessary at this stage.

Thrugelmir

MartyColeman said:

Grumpy_chap said:

MartyColeman said:

A couple of days ago a relative of mine had been tested positive for covid. The next day I got a message saying as a close contact and I should self isolate and get tested. So I did what I felt was the right thing and notified my boss I will be self isolating and went for a PCR test the next morning.  I am still waiting the results of the PCR test but have taken 2 lateral flow tests both of which are negative and I have no symptoms. 

I have now found out from a colleague that my boss has told my co workers I am self isolating as a close contact and taking a PCR test.

I feel this was a breach of confidentiality, but unsure who is right. Was my boss obliged to inform my colleagues at this stage?

Possibly, on a technicality, it was a breach of GDPR.

BUT, your colleagues will have noticed you did not turn up at work and the boss probably simply mentioned why you were absent in a conversational manner.  It is difficult as the boss could not have said "unwell" or "annual leave" as you are not, and something like "authorised absence" would raise more questions than answers.

Your colleagues are probably grateful that you did the right thing and stayed away once pinged while awaiting the PCR result, and that your boss supported that.

Why is it a concern to you that your boss has said what was said?

What would you have preferred that your boss said to your colleagues?

I would of rather waited for the results of the PCR before causing unnecessary concern.

Surely it's better for others to test themselves rather than wait for you........ As would be too late to stop further transmission.  After all that's why Covid goes around and around. Something that is fully known and understood by the sensible majority in the population. 

SpiderLegs

I don’t understand why this is even vaguely an issue.

JIL

There is a lot of guidance on the gov.uk site. 
If you are double vaxxed and dont have symptoms you dont actually need to isolate.  (Unless it's the new strain) However I think most sensible people would not return to work until after a negative test.

I understand that if you had been tested as positive then the employer should carry out a health and safety risk assessment and should notify all colleagues of a positive test. Although names should not be discussed without permission.

If you are exempt from isolating you didnt need to tell your employer. If you are exempt and told your employer then maybe it was assumed you didn't have any issues with colleagues being made aware.

If you are not fully vaccinated then you need to isolate for ten days. Your colleagues would definitely be asking questions then.



We have had staff in the office no symptoms, whose partner and children have tested positive but because they are double jabbed they can continue to work. Inevitably they tested positive later and masses of paperwork followed. 


Guidance copied and pasted below 

Exemptions from self-isolation for contacts

You are not required to self-isolate if you are notified you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and any of the following apply:

• you’re fully vaccinated
• you’re below the age of 18 years and 6 months
• you’ve taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• you’re not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

You’re fully vaccinated 14 days after your final dose of an MHRA-approved vaccine that was administered in the UK. This is to allow for an antibody response to develop. If you were fully vaccinated at the time you had close contact with a positive case, you will not be required to self-isolate.

These exemptions don’t apply if you are told by NHS Test and Trace that you were in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is suspected or confirmed to have the Omicron variant. In this situation, you must self-isolate immediately – even if you had been advised previously by NHS Test and Trace that you do not need to because of your age or vaccination status.

Even if you’re fully vaccinated, you are still required to self-isolate if you are in the same household as a red-list traveller who has permission to quarantine at home.

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to:

• let you know that you’ve been identified as a contact
• check whether you’re legally required to self-isolate
• provide you with advice

Even if you do not have symptoms, you’ll be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible. Children aged 4 and under will not be advised to take a test unless the positive case was someone in their own household.

If you have previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you are not usually advised to be re-tested within 90 days of this result. However, you should have a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive PCR test if:

• you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19
• you are a close contact of someone who has been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19
• you are required to take a PCR test upon entry into the UK

If you are tested within 90 days of a positive PCR test result for any of these 3 reasons, and the PCR test result is positive, you must stay at home, self-isolate and follow the stay at home guidance.

Even if you’re vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you’re identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by following the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread. In addition to getting a PCR test, you may also consider.

• limiting close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces
• wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you don’t usually meet
• taking part in LFD testing if you expect there will be a period of high risk that day or before you visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if they were infected with COVID-19

You are at higher risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and there is limited fresh air.

Children and young people aged under 18 years 6 months who usually attend an education or childcare setting and who have been identified as a close contact should continue to attend the setting as normal, unless they are a close contact of someone who has been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. . They do not need to wear a face covering within the setting, but it is expected and recommended that these are worn when travelling on public or dedicated transport.

Those recently turned 18

Contacts will not be legally required to self-isolate regardless of their vaccination status if they’re under 18, unless they are the contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant. If you’re 18 years old, the guidance is that you’ll be treated in the same way as those under 18 up until the age of 18 years and 6 months, to allow you time to become fully vaccinated.

Children and young people

The NHS is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to children and young people aged 12 to 17 years. Further information on eligibility and timing can be found here.

Clinical trials and medical exemptions

If you have taken part, or are currently taking part, in a (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) MHRA-approved clinical COVID-19 vaccine trial, or if you can show evidence that you cannot get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons, you will not be required to self-isolate if you are a contact of a positive case unless you are the contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant. You should instead take a PCR test as soon as possible.

You’ll need to be able to show evidence that you’re unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons. You can now apply for a medical exemption. If approved, your NHS COVID Pass can then be used to show that you are exempt from self-isolation if you are a contact of a positive case. Further information and how to apply for a medical exemption can be found here.

If you’re exempt from self-isolation as a contact but develop COVID-19 symptoms

If you have or develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if these are mild, you should arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible, even if you’ve had a positive PCR result in the last 90 days. You should stay at home until you receive your test result and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.

If you’re exempt from self-isolation as a contact but have tested positive for COVID-19

If you’re notified by NHS Test and Trace that you have tested positive for COVID-19 you will need to self-isolate regardless of whether you are exempt from self-isolation as a contact. This is still the law.

When self-isolating, follow the stay-at-home guidance. This will help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to other members of your household and community.

Going to work

Please refer to your employer’s advice. If you are exempt from self-isolation, you will usually be able to continue to go to work as normal. However, in certain workplaces, such as in health and social care, you may be asked to take additional precautions.

If you’re exempt from self-isolation, you are not required to inform your employer that you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and notified that you are a contact of a positive case, but you may choose to do so. Employers are not expected to check whether you are exempt.

Health and social care workers

If you’re a health or social care worker, or work in a health or social care setting, who has been identified as a contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings. See COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings.

If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you are not exempt from self-isolation

If we identify you as someone who has had close recent contact with – or live in the same household as – a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are not exempt from self-isolation as a contact, we will notify you that you must self-isolate in line with medical advice and the law. Self-isolation means staying at home and not going outside your home at any time.

If you live in the same household as someone who has tested positive and you are told to self-isolate, you must self-isolate until 10 full days after the person who tested positive first developed symptoms or, if they did not have symptoms, 10 full days after the date of their test.

If you are identified as the contact of someone outside your household who has tested positive, you must self-isolate until 10 full days after you were in contact with the person who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that if, for example, your last contact with them was at any time on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 on the 25th.

It is a legal requirement to self-isolate if you are identified as a contact and told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. Self-isolating is crucial to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus. Failure to self-isolate for the full time-period can result in a fine, starting from £1,000.

You may be feeling well and not have any symptoms, but it is still essential for you to follow the instructions that you are given.

This is because, if you have been infected, you could be infectious to others. Some people infected with the virus don’t show any symptoms at all and it is therefore crucial to self-isolate to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.

You are strongly advised to get a test even if you do not have symptoms. Read the further guidance on getting a free PCR test. If you choose to get a test, you must continue to self-isolate, even if your result is negative. This is because you could still become infectious.

If you live with other people, they do not need to self-isolate, but you should follow advice on how to avoid spreading COVID-19 to people you live with. If you do not live with other people, you should seek help from others, or delivery services, for essential activities such as food shopping. Self-isolation can be particularly challenging if you are looking after children, or if you care for vulnerable people who cannot stay with friends or family.

If you go on to develop symptoms you should report your symptoms and get tested. You can leave self-isolation to get a COVID-19 test at a test site or to take a home test to a priority post box. Anyone you live with, unless they are fully vaccinated or under 18 years and 6 months, should also self-isolate while you wait for your test result.

It is crucial that you complete your self-isolation period if you’ve been identified as a contact and told to self-isolate, even if you get a negative test result. This is because you may have the virus, but it cannot yet be detected by a test, so you could unknowingly spread the virus if you leave the house. Other members of your household, however, do not need to self-isolate

Support for people who are self-isolating

We will direct you to your local authority helpline if you are required to self-isolate and need the following support:

• practical or social support for yourself
• support for someone you care for
• financial support

Your local authority can help you access the local support available to you while self-isolating. If you cannot rely on support from family, friends and neighbours, your local authority may be able to help you access food or assist with caring responsibilities, as well as mental health, loneliness and digital support. You can find more information, including the helpline number, on your local authority’s website.

The NHS volunteer responders programme remains active and support can be accessed by calling 0808 196 3646.

If you’re unable to collect your prescription medication because you’re self-isolating, a free medicines delivery service is available. First, you should ask if any friends, family or volunteers can collect medicines for you. If friends and family are not able to collect your medicines for you, and you or the pharmacy are unable to arrange for a volunteer through the NHS volunteer responders programme, then you will be eligible for free medicines delivery.

Contact your pharmacy to tell them that you’re self-isolating and need your medicines delivered, and they will arrange this free of charge.

Pharmacies will not be able to deliver your medicines unless you provide them with your unique contact tracing reference number.

Employers should support workers who are told to self-isolate and must not ask them to attend work. See the guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers. If you are in employment, speak to your employer to discuss if you can work from home or other options are available during your period of isolation.

Workers in self-isolation are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for every day they are in isolation, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions. Guidance has been produced for employees that are unable to work because they are self-isolating.

NHS Test and Trace will provide evidence that someone has been told to self-isolate. This evidence can be shared with an employer or education provider. Get an isolation note if you need evidence that you’ve been told to self-isolate.

You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate. You should go to your local authority’s website for more information. You will be eligible if you live in England and meet all the following criteria:

• you have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
• you are employed or self-employed
• you cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
• you are receiving at least one of the following benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credits
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit

If you are not on one of these benefits, you might still be eligible for a £500 discretionary payment from your local authority. See Test and Trace Support Payment scheme: claiming financial support.

The NHS COVID-19 app

The NHS COVID-19 app, which is available to download for free in England and Wales, is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from COVID-19. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy.

Published 27 May 2020
Last updated 1 December 2021 + show all updates

Contents

elsien

MartyColeman said:

Grumpy_chap said:

MartyColeman said:

A couple of days ago a relative of mine had been tested positive for covid. The next day I got a message saying as a close contact and I should self isolate and get tested. So I did what I felt was the right thing and notified my boss I will be self isolating and went for a PCR test the next morning.  I am still waiting the results of the PCR test but have taken 2 lateral flow tests both of which are negative and I have no symptoms. 

I have now found out from a colleague that my boss has told my co workers I am self isolating as a close contact and taking a PCR test.

I feel this was a breach of confidentiality, but unsure who is right. Was my boss obliged to inform my colleagues at this stage?

Possibly, on a technicality, it was a breach of GDPR.

BUT, your colleagues will have noticed you did not turn up at work and the boss probably simply mentioned why you were absent in a conversational manner.  It is difficult as the boss could not have said "unwell" or "annual leave" as you are not, and something like "authorised absence" would raise more questions than answers.

Your colleagues are probably grateful that you did the right thing and stayed away once pinged while awaiting the PCR result, and that your boss supported that.

Why is it a concern to you that your boss has said what was said?

What would you have preferred that your boss said to your colleagues?

I had already told the guys I was taking the day off and would see them next week. There was no issue until the boss mentioned the reason why and now I hear I'm the talk of the workplace.  Some of the guys aren't bothered but some others are getting carried away with paranoia.

From what I hear it was the boss who came out and took the initiative to call an informal meeting to tell them.

I would of rather waited for the results of the PCR before causing unnecessary concern. And having taken 2 lateral flow tests, have no symptoms and only fleetingly passed by my cousin the other day which was the "close contact" I'm pretty sure I'm fine.

I do understand the boss would of been in a difficult position if he was asked why and can't lie but that isn't what happened. I just think it wasn't handled well and now people are gossiping.

One day’s gossip is the next day’s chip paper. 

And the person who told you may well be exaggerating. After all having a close contact with someone with covid is hardly unusual. By the time you get back they’ll have moved on to gossiping about someone else, 
I do wonder though about the motives of the person with the big wooden spoon who is giving you your information. 

prowla

I wonder if any work colleagues have the app too.