Son shielding can husband return to work

[HaydiesMum]

Hi all, just wondering what others views are. Sorry having written realise this is a long post, thanks if you feel able to read my brain dump.

My son has been advised to shield due to his asthma (recieved the NHS letters and verbally advised by his consultant). I can and so have been working from home, my husband who works in a car workshop as a panel beater took a few days leave around lockdown and was then put on furlough. After Borris's announcement on Sunday (about 5 minutes after to be prescise) my husbands boss messaged him to say "back to work tomorrow", we replied saying we didnt feel he could go back just yet until we had some more guidance around our shielding son.

Really feeling a bit anxious about what to do, my husband is concerned that if he resists going back for too long that he wont have a job to return to, there doesn't seem to be much guidance around parents working when their child is shielding. I know the shielding guidance says that families dont need to shield but would need to socially distance within the house, our house isnt that big (don't have a spare room, only 1 family bathroom) and feel my son needs some physical contact especially now in the form of the occasional hug etc. I guess if my husband went back to work he'd either need to socially distance from all of us (not sure where we'd all sleep etc.) or we'd all need to socially distance from my son (who has a younger brother who I really dont feel can socially distance from us his parent or his brother).

Really not sure what to do??

[Robynfaal]

Hello!

So in my house hold myself and my two brothers have asthma, mine being the mildest. My asthma has gotten much better over the years and I rarely wheeze or use my blue inhaler so I’m just under the moderate risk.

My mother however is under the shielding category of high risk extremely vulnerable. She has a serious lung condition so she has to be careful. My brother has just started also going back to work today so we are all a bit worried too!

It’s a terrible situation to be in and I completely understand the worry for your son. I think your husband should ensure that his work place is following the correct guidelines when returning to work. If his workplace is not following the new rules then this needs to be brought up and he should not be working as your sons health comes first! I would maybe perhaps get in contact with your GP and see if they can give you some advice, perhaps they can assist and suggest some steps you can make to make you feel less stressed when you’re at home with your son.

Good luck and stay safe x

[EmLouPsy]

Hi,

I really would advise your husband to stay at home. Is your husband part of a union? Unions are advising people not to attend work if they don't feel safe. Have him look at joining a union. Also, workplaces have to be 'covid secure' as Boris said - I'd encourage your husband to ask his boss what precautions he is taking to ensure the workplace is covid secure, as I doubt he is taking any when rushing people back to work.

I'd personally be doing whatever I could to make sure he could stay at home.

Emma

[KnPoa]

It is a worrying time with people starting to go back to work. 2 out of the 3 in my house have shielding letters, the 3rd was suppose to start back at work on the 1st June. She reported her worries to the head and what work

Would put in place to ensure that she didn’t pick something up and bring it home to us and has been told as she lives with people that are shielding she will continue to work from home.

In the GOV document about returning back to work, it says “As for any workplace risk you must take into account specific duties to those with protected characteristics, including, for example, expectant mothers who are, as always, entitled to suspension on full pay if suitable roles cannot be found. Particular attention should also be paid to people who live with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.” It sounds like it is down to the bosses’ discretion.

If he is under a union, I would get advice from them.

Personally, for the health and safety of your child, I’d argue it but completely get the need to keep the job. It’s a tough decision.

[Wheezebag13]

Hi, I'm shielding and my husband is currently furloughed and his employer is very supportive over shielding advice. My husband isnt and wont leave the house until I do my life depends on currently being shielded. Furloughed has been extended until October on 80% and really dont think an employer can force you to go back to work when within a shielded household. Health over wealth. Please try to get legal or union advice, perhaps Citizens Advice or Martin Lewis this is short term for the long term. Good luck and stay safe xx

[daleboy3]

Can I suggest you buy your son a face mask as currently as people return to work the virus has not been stopped so anyone returning home runs the risk o bringing it back with them & as your husband needs to work he could also wear a mask this would help reduce the risk of complications coming home, in China they are all wearing face masks every day, we live in uncertain times at present

[daleboy3 in reply to daleboy3]

You can buy washable face masks to make things easier

[Flossy2011]

Hello I too am in the shielding group but my son has continues to work throughout lockdown as he is an essential worker. And can’t work from home . We have managed quite well to social distance and stick to the advice given when a member of a family cannot work from home, but the anxieties for both sides is troublesome

[Clanmacbeath]

I understand your worries. Its a scary time for all of us. Im currently shielding due to my asthma. I had flu at xmas which nearly saw me off so I hate to think what corona would do. My husband however works for the ambulance service. He isnt patient facing and works in a busy office. He is going to work for 12 hour shifts the same as always. The guidelines don't cover him shielding, just me. We have to stay apart when we are in the house together and he is in the routine of taking all his clothes off and putting them into the machine as soon as he gets home. He then showers. I then wipe the front door and anything he has touched with disinfectant. It was a bit strange at first but now its normal for us. If your husband has an understanding boss he may agree to continue with furlough. If not make sure his workplace is covid safe and he takes all his stuff off and showers the second he gets home.

Take care and I hope you manage to get something sorted.

[Hidden]

Can your husband move in with a relative or friend until a vaccine or effective treatment is available? Or ask his employer to grant him unpaid leave, so he has a job to go back to when this is over? Or ask to continue on furlough?

Lots of families are in your position and the pity of it is that an employer's duty of care is to the employee, not their family. Provided the employer complies with social distancing requirements etc I don't think there's much you can do, he can dig his heels in. His answer would be that he's got a business to run & has his own and other employees' livelihoods to protect. Obviously your husband should do all the handwashing etc whilst at work, take clothes off & shower when he comes in, to minimise the risk, and you could try re-jigging your home layout, sleeping arrangements etc, but inevitably there will be some risk & that's got to be a worry.