Not wanting to attend work because of concerns about a family member at home

Post by **POSTMAN** » 19 Mar 2020, 21:26

I have an employee who does not want to attend work because they are concerned about a family member at home. They or anyone within their household do not have symptoms of coronavirus. What should I do?

Government guidance on social distancing has evolved since lockdown in March.

We have carried out risk assessments and put numerous controls and measures in place to protect our people and customers.

To support the employee to get back to work, talk to them to find out their concerns and reaffirm the measures that we have in place to ensure the protection of our employees.

If the employee continues to have concerns and wants to stay away from the office, contact HR Services for help and support.
UPDATED 6 JULY 2010

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GonePostal · Post by **GonePostal** » 20 Mar 2020, 22:01

I feel like theres going to be a grey area here for people living with vulnerables who don't want to risk infecting them through work. Will they be entitled to any pay? Work places will not operate strict social distance guidelines (nearly impossible to do), so the risk seems pretty high for a virus outbreak. What happens if one guy comes down with it? The whole office self quarantines?

I'm happy to use my annual leave for now, to be paid at least, but this may be 12 weeks minimum recommended for sheilding the vulnerable.

So are they asking people to simply take unpaid leave for months if they dont wish to run the risk of infecting a critical person at home.

citypostie · Post by **citypostie** » 20 Mar 2020, 22:49

It would have been be the same as time off for looking after a child when schools close if we hadn't been classed as key workers. Unpaid leave, flexible working or holidays. I don't think you can expect them to pay you to stay at home if there's nothing wrong with you

GonePostal · Post by **GonePostal** » 20 Mar 2020, 23:34

Surely sheilding the vulnerable (and looking after them for that matter with groceries etc) deserves some of the governments bailout package? Even a lower wage would be welcome. It just seems hard to reckon that I could be faced with no wage at all whilst people not doing any work from many sectors are on 80% pay or benefits. Making the choice to directly put your family at risk seems counter intuitive to the whole approach.

Robtor · Post by **Robtor** » 21 Mar 2020, 00:17

GonePostal wrote:It just seems hard to reckon that I could be faced with no wage at all whilst people not doing any work from many sectors are on 80% pay or benefits.

Small correction, they are actually on 100% pay but the employer can claim 80% of that back from the government.

Seems a little unfair as I am absolutely exhausted after this last week and am at a high risk of catching it due to zero social distancing, meanwhile my brother's at home on full pay for the next 6 months as a gym employee.

bucks123 · Post by **bucks123** » 21 Mar 2020, 05:36

Robtor wrote: Small correction, they are actually on 100% pay but the employer can claim 80% of that back from the government.

Only 80% is guaranteed by the government under this scheme. An employer can pay 100% but many will not be able to do this as will have insufficient cash due to business effectively being closed/mothballed. Each employer scenario could be different and so people may receive full income while others will only get the 80% guaranteed by the government. The chancellor stated yesterday that people affected would get at least 80%. Still, 80% is a lot better than nothing!

anthonyok · Post by **anthonyok** » 22 Mar 2020, 12:56

I work full time and i am a carer for my wife who has ms i am getting stressed out now , tempted to have my 6 weeks holiday in one go and 6 weeks unpaid. I think if your the soul carer you should be on the 80% list.

south London postie · Post by **south London postie** » 23 Mar 2020, 09:27

anthonyok wrote:I work full time and i am a carer for my wife who has ms i am getting stressed out now , tempted to have my 6 weeks holiday in one go and 6 weeks unpaid. I think if your the soul carer you should be on the 80% list.

Get a letter from your GP: state the circs, and the age of the person you're caring for. No one will expect you to not shield.

samboy · Post by **samboy** » 23 Mar 2020, 14:23

I’m in a similar position I’ve three one week holidays coming up will I be able to use them all together then go on unpaid leave

picture123 · Post by **picture123** » 23 Mar 2020, 18:19

Managers should let you use annual leave or flexible working before resorting to special leave unpaid. Flexibile working may be a night shift when others aren't in work yet or delivering your round later e. G. Maybe start at 11am when do is empty.

Post by **flaminmoses** » 24 Mar 2020, 12:16

Sensible thing here would be to move any dividends from share payouts for investors and use that fund for those who have concerns over living with vulnerables beyond the exhaustion of annual leave entitlement.

If people can , id suggest asking for half leave entitlement for those who can cope on less pay for a period (example one week leave next week no pay....so at least people have money for food )....then a special payment from the dividends a little later down the line.

then when dividends re start ....the posties who didnt get anything get the entitlement first.
investors in this case should be last on the list.

bergos · Post by **bergos** » 24 Mar 2020, 13:15

I have gone off work as a vulnerable person myself, Had a message from the NHS Coronavirus response telling me I need to stay indoors for 12 weeks,
Got a letter from work today saying that due to other sickness in the past where I needed to have 3 operations and was off for a considerable amount of time, I will not be getting paid.

I am not sick, I am protecting myself from becoming sick, I understand that I am not working during this time but when trying to protect myself from what is a considerable sickness under government advice do I have any recourse?

I have spoken to my union rep who is looking into this for me but any advice anyone here has would be appreciated.

mjd24 · Post by **mjd24** » 24 Mar 2020, 15:20

bergos wrote:I have gone off work as a vulnerable person myself, Had a message from the NHS Coronavirus response telling me I need to stay indoors for 12 weeks,
Got a letter from work today saying that due to other sickness in the past where I needed to have 3 operations and was off for a considerable amount of time, I will not be getting paid.

I am not sick, I am protecting myself from becoming sick, I understand that I am not working during this time but when trying to protect myself from what is a considerable sickness under government advice do I have any recourse?

I have spoken to my union rep who is looking into this for me but any advice anyone here has would be appreciated.

Thats shocking. My immediate thought is go to the press/twitter/social media.

PostmanPeo · Post by **PostmanPeo** » 24 Mar 2020, 20:14

I’m in the same boat, my wife is heavily pregnant (10 weeks left) and self isolating at home but yet I’m expected to go in to my office alongside another 80 staff, with zero social distancing.... only today has shared vans been stopped, also first day we have received gloves. 2 days ago was the first time I was briefed about PDAs not to be handed over... I received a phone call from my DOM yesterday, informing me that a block of flats I have been delivering to has a resident who has tested positive for the virus!! I’ve touched hand rails letterboxes and trade buttons with absolutely no PPE. Waiting now to see if I get any symptoms!!?? Seems like I’m running a high risk of contracting the virus and then further infecting my wife, kids and unborn child!! Surely 2 weeks isolation should be suggested and paid.. health and safety practices have been laughable to say the least

picture123 · Post by **picture123** » 24 Mar 2020, 22:12

bergos wrote:I have gone off work as a vulnerable person myself, Had a message from the NHS Coronavirus response telling me I need to stay indoors for 12 weeks,
Got a letter from work today saying that due to other sickness in the past where I needed to have 3 operations and was off for a considerable amount of time, I will not be getting paid.

I am not sick, I am protecting myself from becoming sick, I understand that I am not working during this time but when trying to protect myself from what is a considerable sickness under government advice do I have any recourse?

I have spoken to my union rep who is looking into this for me but any advice anyone here has would be appreciated.

This is correct, if you have accrued sick previously and go sick now and that prompts half or nil pay that's all you'll get. You will get statutory sick pay if you drop to nil. Royal mail full sick pay is a benefit not a right so they are entitled to follow their procedure regarding it