CWU question on vulnerable/at risk staff

dembz90 · Post by **dembz90** » 24 Mar 2020, 20:42

One of the things outlined on the CWU’s question to Royal Mail yesterday was what their plans were for workers who are vulnerable and at a bigger risk to the virus. Still not heard a thing about this, has anyone? I’m diabetic and wanting to know where I stand with all this. Not gonna risk going back to work anytime soon, was considering getting a line from the Doctor possibly for stress , but now being told that doctors aren’t giving out sick lines at the moment. Really needing some clarity/answers from the CWU and Royal Mail on this subject. Apparently a lot of companies such as Tesco have told at risk employees to isolate for 12 weeks.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 24 Mar 2020, 20:48

stay home, you have reason to self isolate with your condtiion

barcajr · Post by **barcajr** » 25 Mar 2020, 01:10

One girl in my office who recovered after having had breast cancer, has been told to self isolate for twelve weeks

Norsegold · Post by **Norsegold** » 25 Mar 2020, 06:43

dembz90 wrote:One of the things outlined on the CWU’s question to Royal Mail yesterday was what their plans were for workers who are vulnerable and at a bigger risk to the virus. Still not heard a thing about this, has anyone? I’m diabetic and wanting to know where I stand with all this. Not gonna risk going back to work anytime soon, was considering getting a line from the Doctor possibly for stress , but now being told that doctors aren’t giving out sick lines at the moment. Really needing some clarity/answers from the CWU and Royal Mail on this subject. Apparently a lot of companies such as Tesco have told at risk employees to isolate for 12 weeks.

I went off last week as despite my best efforts I had a huge risk of of getting the virus at work if it was in the area and a number of colleagues had self isolated. I have three health conditions that put me at risk and that makes the risk even greater. Cant get hold of a GP. My MP is not responding.

Come on CWU - we need you - DOM says unpaid absence or holidays

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 25 Mar 2020, 09:10

I think the main point for all staff is their attitude to Risk. If you have underlying Health Problems, or a Member of your immediate family has, then it's probably a Good Idea to Self-Isolate ... Regardless of what Royal Mail (or more likely your DOM) has got to say about it.

There's so many factors involved such as: Do you have to do IPS, Do you start later when the DO is half empty, Are you in a Van by Yourself, What sort of Area you Deliver to? Really it's down to us as individuals to take responsibility for our own Health, and that of Family, Friends & the Public.

That's the bottom line IMHO. If later on you have to argue the point I'm sure you're going to have plenty of ammunition to help your case. I know some people also worry more about cash than others, bills need to be paid etc, I'm not sure if Boris' 80% of wages payout helps us. I haven't seen anything about it hopefully it'll include Posties Self Isolating. Good Luck & Stay Positive.

dembz90 · Post by **dembz90** » 25 Mar 2020, 15:57

GP just recommended I isolate for 12 weeks due to type 1 diabetes. Apparently not giving out sick lines at the minute though so unsure if Royal Mail will Pay me my usual sick pay? Does anyone have any idea if the government incentive of paying 80% would apply in this case , if RM were not willing to pay me the normal sick pay ?

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 25 Mar 2020, 16:04

dembz90 wrote:GP just recommended I isolate for 12 weeks due to type 1 diabetes. Apparently not giving out sick lines at the minute though so unsure if Royal Mail will Pay me my usual sick pay? Does anyone have any idea if the government incentive of paying 80% would apply in this case , if RM were not willing to pay me the normal sick pay ?

you can take holidays other than that at the minute they will not pay you

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 25 Mar 2020, 16:09

viking1488 wrote:
dembz90 wrote:GP just recommended I isolate for 12 weeks due to type 1 diabetes. Apparently not giving out sick lines at the minute though so unsure if Royal Mail will Pay me my usual sick pay? Does anyone have any idea if the government incentive of paying 80% would apply in this case , if RM were not willing to pay me the normal sick pay ?

you can take holidays other than that at the minute they will not pay you its the wording the government use and royal mail are using it as gospel vulnerable groups its that strongly advised wording thats not saying you must self isolate for 12 weeks if you get a nhs letter saying you must do this maybe things might change and they will pay you

Post by **POSTMAN** » 25 Mar 2020, 16:10

dembz90 wrote:GP just recommended I isolate for 12 weeks due to type 1 diabetes. Apparently not giving out sick lines at the minute though so unsure if Royal Mail will Pay me my usual sick pay? Does anyone have any idea if the government incentive of paying 80% would apply in this case , if RM were not willing to pay me the normal sick pay ?

No the 80% thing does not kick in with us.

Royal Mail Email wrote:The 80% scheme is only for furloughed workers. This would therefore not apply to Royal Mail staff as there is currently work available and we are not currently in a position where we are considering redundancies due to the Covid-19 situation.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 25 Mar 2020, 16:13

POSTMAN wrote:
dembz90 wrote:GP just recommended I isolate for 12 weeks due to type 1 diabetes. Apparently not giving out sick lines at the minute though so unsure if Royal Mail will Pay me my usual sick pay? Does anyone have any idea if the government incentive of paying 80% would apply in this case , if RM were not willing to pay me the normal sick pay ?
No the 80% thing does not kick in with us.

Royal Mail Email wrote:The 80% scheme is only for furloughed workers. This would therefore not apply to Royal Mail staff as there is currently work available and we are not currently in a position where we are considering redundancies due to the Covid-19 situation.

Also diabetics info here...
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Peejay8T8 · Post by **Peejay8T8** » 25 Mar 2020, 16:59

Im in the same boat. Type 1 diabetic. I've been off since Monday. I'm not expecting a letter through from the NHS as I don't think well controlled diabetes will be deemed more of a detriment than a normal person. No chance of social distancing at work though. If I go to work, get ill, and kiff it, no doubt it'll be deemed my fault for going to work, and not royal mail's for breaking social distancing guidelines. So I'll remain at home unpaid

dembz90 · Post by **dembz90** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:06

Just seen a Royal Mail document which says employees In self isolation with no symptoms - “our normal approach to sick pay will continue to apply to all RM group employees with over a years service” would this not mean that I would be paid as normal then? I’ve tried posting this on here but it’s not allowing me to.

dembz90 · Post by **dembz90** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:30

Peejay8T8 wrote:Im in the same boat. Type 1 diabetic. I've been off since Monday. I'm not expecting a letter through from the NHS as I don't think well controlled diabetes will be deemed more of a detriment than a normal person. No chance of social distancing at work though. If I go to work, get ill, and kiff it, no doubt it'll be deemed my fault for going to work, and not royal mail's for breaking social distancing guidelines. So I'll remain at home unpaid

Agree with you 100%. Not a safe place to work. I’ve been off for two weeks now but apparently theres no hand sanitiser so have Instead gave everyone shower gel and baby wipes to disinfect. Unbelievable. Going nowhere near the place for a good while.

steviep15 · Post by **steviep15** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:47

) EMPLOYEES. Can't go to work or have no work to do? Ask your employer to 'furlough' you and Govt will cover 80% of your salary up to £2,500/mth. This is officially called the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, and it means employers can choose to put staff who can't work on 'furlough' (on hold) - and then the Govt will cover their salary.

Think of this like a job being put on standby. The idea is you go into sleeper mode during the crisis, and then when it's over, they can instantly restart things and get the economy running again at speed.

It's up to employers to decide and define who is furloughed. It could be because you've no work to do (eg, you work in a closed restaurant), or as you have to be at home to look after children or you're self-isolating.

The key thing to understand is the state is looking to support people. It wants this to be a broad sweep of support to gather people up. It's looking to embrace people who need it, not loophole them out. See our employee furlough info, including my 5min video briefing.

So this is the email I received from Martin lewis this morning. His view seems different to what has been posted on this forum. If your self isolating or at home to look after children your entitled to the 80%. Whether you have work or not

dembz90 · Post by **dembz90** » 25 Mar 2020, 17:54

steviep15 wrote:) EMPLOYEES. Can't go to work or have no work to do? Ask your employer to 'furlough' you and Govt will cover 80% of your salary up to £2,500/mth. This is officially called the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, and it means employers can choose to put staff who can't work on 'furlough' (on hold) - and then the Govt will cover their salary.

Think of this like a job being put on standby. The idea is you go into sleeper mode during the crisis, and then when it's over, they can instantly restart things and get the economy running again at speed.

It's up to employers to decide and define who is furloughed. It could be because you've no work to do (eg, you work in a closed restaurant), or as you have to be at home to look after children or you're self-isolating.

The key thing to understand is the state is looking to support people. It wants this to be a broad sweep of support to gather people up. It's looking to embrace people who need it, not loophole them out. See our employee furlough info, including my 5min video briefing.

So this is the email I received from Martin lewis this morning. His view seems different to what has been posted on this forum. If your self isolating or at home to look after children your entitled to the 80%.

Thanks for that! Any chance you have a link to the video?