Should I return to work?

[FIFA Legend]

Hi

I am a new member and am looking for help in what I thought was a simple question but am finding different answers everywhere.

I have been off work since Tuesday after Boris’s statement on Monday to stay at home.

I have type 1 diabetes and have had for 31 years.

I work for a distribution company and asked if can work from home, my boss refused even though it is possible to do my job from home. So I have been self isolating.

when completing the NHS self certifying note I selected that I cough more than 3 times a day as I have started to come down with a cold since last weekend. so it listed me as symptoms of Coronavirus. Even though I am sure this is a simple cold and am following the 7 day rule and taking paracetamol regularly.

Everywhere shows diabetes as high risk, but this is not an option listed on the NHS website.

should I still be going to work as I do not want to call my surgery and put more pressure on the NHS for what I thought was a simple thing to find on their website.

If I self isolate if diabetes is not seen as high risk on the NHS site, will I still qualify for 80% of my salary or be just absent from work?

If anyone can clear this for me it would be greatly appreciated

 

[Robin]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I think you’ve done exactly the right thing isolating yourself while you have symptoms, just in case it’s coronavirus.
Diabetes is not on the list for people severe health conditions who must self isolate, and in most cases, people with diabetes shouldn’t get it any worse then the rest of the population, provided they manage their condition well, know the sick day rules, etc.
If you can do your work at home, though, I think your boss should be facilitating this, the instructions given very clearly last Monday were to work from home, and only travel to work if it was absolutely necessary. I would point this out to your boss.
The 80% salary rule is for employers who would otherwise have to make staff redundant, so that they can furlough them for up to three months. If your job is necessary, and would have to be done by someone else if you weren’t in, then your boss won’t qualify for it, for you. (This has just happened to my daughter, her work has dried up because she processes NHS forms which aren’t being sent in at present. In normal circumstances she’d have been let go. The form she has had to sign is an agreement between the government and her employer.)
I think you need to explore the options with your boss, and point out the instructions from the government. Show him the rules I’ve linked to below. Just staying at home wouldn’t qualify you for the 80% furlough pay, and you wouldn’t be entitled to sick payonce you’ve recovered from your current illnes.

[Withdrawn] Staying at home and away from others (social distancing)

www.gov.uk

 

[FIFA Legend]

Thanks Robin, you have cleared these for me.

many thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done for taking the appropriate steps even though you only think you have a cold @FIFA Legend - many people are simply carrying on, and some of those are spreading the virus.

Hope you recover quickly.

Disappointing that your employer is not letting you work from home, even though you believe this is possible. Perhaps Citizens Advice Bureau may have some suggestion for how to negotiate this?

Oh... and welcome to the forum!