Underlying health condition and considering social distancing.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 19 Mar 2020, 21:16

I have an employee who has an underlying health condition in my team and they want to socially distance themselves following the latest Public Health England (PHE) advice. How should I respond?

The current PHE advice is that individuals who have an underlying health condition should limit their social contact where possible, including using less public transport, working at home where possible and considering not going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and bars. They are also being strongly advised to significantly limit face-to-face interaction with friends and family (social distancing) if possible.

The approach below will be in place until the end of April 2020, when it will be reviewed and may be extended or changed.

The employee should provide you a medical certificate to cover the absence. If they are not able to provide this immediately please give them time to provide this at a later date.

The employee can work from home following the advice and guidance on working from home.
If an employee is not able to work from home the absence will be treated as a sickness absence and you should choose Coronavirus self-isolation as the absence reason.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

woofwoof · Post by **woofwoof** » 20 Mar 2020, 06:22

Latest version

POSTMAN EDIT: It is the latest version.

Schiff · Post by **Schiff** » 20 Mar 2020, 09:17

So at a time when doctors are snowed under, those in the vulnerable groups are going to have to hassle their GP for a "medical certificate" in order to get paid during the 12 week isolation period. I'm not sure that a fit note quite covers this. Are GPs actually going to have to write around 15,000 letters for RM workers confirming that Mr X has a health condition that falls within those listed by Public Health England where a 12 week social distancing period is recommended?

Surely if the employee can provide a recent copy of a prescription showing that they are prescribed drugs for asthma, diabetes etc, or have an absence on their records for one of these chronic conditions then this should be accepted by RM and save a hell of a lot of unnecessary work for our NHS when it has more important things on its plate.

Post by **tractorboy2** » 20 Mar 2020, 09:30

I would have thought , that as the NHS are supposed to be notifying those people who should be taking those precautions , then the communication would suffice ( if this is by letter ) a sick note could also be enclosed.

happytodeliver · Post by **happytodeliver** » 20 Mar 2020, 12:15

I have type 1 Diabetes and Hypertension and I'm on Royal Mails records under DDA would I get full sick pay for the 12 weeks isolation period or just SSP.Ive talked to manager he said they could get mail dropped out to me,which by the way was my idea at first,but after consideration I'm not sure if it's worth the risk to mine and my family's health. The DOM said he wouldn't know what to put it down as,well if he does not I sure as hell don't.
So anyway to get to the point
(a) Do I need a sick line from Doctor,when I'm DDA at Royal Mail?
(b) Will I receive full pay or SSP?
When apparently my underlying circumstances are up high risk to health

Norsegold · Post by **Norsegold** » 20 Mar 2020, 15:48

Schiff wrote:So at a time when doctors are snowed under, those in the vulnerable groups are going to have to hassle their GP for a "medical certificate" in order to get paid during the 12 week isolation period. I'm not sure that a fit note quite covers this. Are GPs actually going to have to write around 15,000 letters for RM workers confirming that Mr X has a health condition that falls within those listed by Public Health England where a 12 week social distancing period is recommended?

Surely if the employee can provide a recent copy of a prescription showing that they are prescribed drugs for asthma, diabetes etc, or have an absence on their records for one of these chronic conditions then this should be accepted by RM and save a hell of a lot of unnecessary work for our NHS when it has more important things on its plate.

I've been through my health conditions with the company as they came up in the driver review questionnaire

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 20 Mar 2020, 15:59

Can't you just give them permission to access your medical records?

Post by **POSTMAN** » 20 Mar 2020, 16:03

happytodeliver wrote:I have type 1 Diabetes and Hypertension and I'm on Royal Mails records under DDA would I get full sick pay for the 12 weeks isolation period or just SSP.Ive talked to manager he said they could get mail dropped out to me,which by the way was my idea at first,but after consideration I'm not sure if it's worth the risk to mine and my family's health. The DOM said he wouldn't know what to put it down as,well if he does not I sure as hell don't.
So anyway to get to the point
(a) Do I need a sick line from Doctor,when I'm DDA at Royal Mail?
(b) Will I receive full pay or SSP?
When apparently my underlying circumstances are up high risk to health

b) Self-isolation, testing and reporting
What is the latest government advice re self-isolation for employees?

The situation is constantly changing and you should check Public Health England guidance for the latest advice
on this area.

Our understanding of the current position is that employees could be isolating for between 7 and 14 days and
this could be extended by around a week if they develop symptoms during self-isolation.

All absences should be treated as sickness absence. Managers should choose “Coronavirus with Symptoms” if
the employee has symptoms and “Coronavirus Self Isolation” if they do not have symptoms. Please update the
absence if the reason for absence changes.

2nd post PDF in the Global Announcement...
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=94715" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2020/ma ... virus.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Government is advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. This includes people: aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions); and adults under 70 with an underlying health condition including diabetes,

jacobliam · Post by **jacobliam** » 20 Mar 2020, 17:30

I have asthma . I know other companies are sending people with this condition home. Very worried

Post by **POSTMAN** » 20 Mar 2020, 17:33

jacobliam wrote:I have asthma . I know other companies are sending people with this condition home. Very worried

I guess you've seen this? Post for reference.

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge ... -covid-19/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 20 Mar 2020, 18:42

Tesco has offered 12 weeks of paid leave to staff who are over the age of 70, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.

The supermarket chain has written to staff to inform them that any person who falls into one of these categories “will not be required to attend work for the next 12 weeks”.

Tesco confirmed today they are offering this paid leave to help protect their most vulnerable staff members.
when will we be getting this from rm to help protect their most vulnerable staff members.

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 20 Mar 2020, 18:49

viking1488 wrote:Tesco has offered 12 weeks of paid leave to staff who are over the age of 70, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.

The supermarket chain has written to staff to inform them that any person who falls into one of these categories “will not be required to attend work for the next 12 weeks”.

Tesco confirmed today they are offering this paid leave to help protect their most vulnerable staff members.
when will we be getting this from rm to help protect their most vulnerable staff members.

most places are now following government guidelines and paying there staff rm can now apply to hmrc to pay theses people

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 20 Mar 2020, 18:51

if you have a underling medical condition you should be at home in 12 week self isolation not at work

postman_d · Post by **postman_d** » 20 Mar 2020, 21:51

viking1488 wrote:if you have a underling medical condition you should be at home in 12 week self isolation not at work

Not according to my DOM. I should be at work unless I show symptoms he says.....

geordieboy123 · Post by **geordieboy123** » 21 Mar 2020, 07:35

viking1488 wrote:if you have a underling medical condition you should be at home in 12 week self isolation not at work

The 12 week advice which came out on Monday disappeared from Tuesday, if you look at the current government guidelines on Gov.uk the 12 weeks off is for the very serious illnesses such as cancer etc