Self isolation 2nd time

TONY MELON · Post by **TONY MELON** » 22 Apr 2020, 22:17

Hi just a quick question if you've already been in Self isolation for 14days because member of family in household had coronavirus symptoms can you go off again if someone else in family member develop symptoms again after you've returned to work

Marston · Post by **Marston** » 23 Apr 2020, 10:23

My office has had one member of staff do this. They were asked for another isolation note, and it was acccepted.

Their second two week stint is not over yet though, so I don't know what the end result will be after they return to work.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 23 Apr 2020, 14:09

There's not a lot Royal Mail can do about it if you're self isolating following NHS guidance while we're still in this situation.

They could issue stages or stop pay for subsequent isolation periods but that could backfire on them if they're seen as undermining the government guidelines by discouraging staff from isolating.

I think they will continue to do what they've always done, say one thing and being all employee safety oriented at board level while quietly encouraging managers to take a harder line at the front line and turning a blind eye to bullying.

FacesOfStone · Post by **FacesOfStone** » 23 Apr 2020, 15:18

Woody Guthrie wrote:There's not a lot Royal Mail can do about it if you're self isolating following NHS guidance while we're still in this situation.

They could issue stages or stop pay for subsequent isolation periods but that could backfire on them if they're seen as undermining the government guidelines by discouraging staff from isolating.

I think they will continue to do what they've always done, say one thing and being all employee safety oriented at board level while quietly encouraging managers to take a harder line at the front line and turning a blind eye to bullying.

That’s the concern.

The current guidance is really unfair because it’s not like colds and similar viruses have gone on holiday, is it? Chances are most of us would contract a couple of colds in a year that we’d be able to work through, but if you go in now you’re risking everyone’s health, because it’s quickly become apparent that the range of tell-take symptoms extends beyond a cough and temperature.

I think there should be a complete moratorium on the issuance of stage 3s regardless of absence at the moment - that would seem, to me, to strike a reasonable balance that would encourage people to take time off when necessary, without making it a complete free for all.

Post by **wacko74** » 23 Apr 2020, 19:36

Great news OP... Yourself or anyone in your household displaying possible symptoms can now be tested, then if it's a negative result you won't need to have another 14 days off work.

I'm sure this will be a huge weight off your mind and avoid the worry you may have over any possible infection of yourself or your family and allow you to remain an active and productive member of the workforce.

FacesOfStone · Post by **FacesOfStone** » 23 Apr 2020, 19:57

wacko74 wrote:Great news OP... Yourself or anyone in your household displaying possible symptoms can now be tested, then if it's a negative result you won't need to have another 14 days off work.

I'm sure this will be a huge weight off your mind and avoid the worry you may have over any possible infection of yourself or your family and allow you to remain an active and productive member of the workforce.

Still, I would suggest no-one should work if they are really feeling the effects of a cold / bug that doesn’t turn out to be COVID-19. This isn’t a virus you want to contract at the best of times, let alone when you’re already run down.