Hello guys, I know you won't have the answers but I'm just looking for a bit of advice as everyone I've spoken to about it hasn't really got any answers.
I've suffered with asthma since I was 4 (I'm 32 now) and as 4 years ago I was taken off of my Preventer inhaler because they deemed my asthma to be well under control.
I got a phone call from work the other day (I work in a supermarket unfortunately) saying that I could have time off work if I had an underlying health condition. I mentioned my asthma and was given at least 2 weeks off paid and have been told it could actually be 12 weeks off paid. Seeing as my anxiety and asthma had been really bad recently with all this going on and I live with a 72 year old Father with Parkinsons, I decided to take the time off.
Long story short, I've now been told that in order to get paid for this time off I must produce sufficient evidence that I am classed as a Vunerable Colleague. I assumed I was because of asthma but upon further look I noticed it says conditions that entitle you to an annual flu jab like asthma. Because of my lack of Preventer inhaler I got told last year I am not entitled to one.
So my real question is, does the fact I have mild asthma mean I shouldn't be at home and am not classed as Vunerable? Because surely just because it is managed day to day it doesn't mean it can't hit me really bad. And also what would I do to get proof? I assume I need to get my medical record printed off.
I'm basically just looking for any input or if anyone else has had similar. Sorry for the length of this post. I'm all over the place 😔
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nemoh88
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Hi, I’m in a similar situation to you... my asthma is triggered by virus’ so day to day I’m generally fine. I see my self at risk and ‘vulnerable’ because of it but I’m not deemed as being in the ‘shielding’ group.
As I understand it The ‘vulnerable’ and ‘shielded’ groups are different groups- I’m pretty sure being in the vulnerable group (i.e ‘mild’ asthma, pregnancy) should be enough to warrant time off work. Could you show your employer a letter from your GP to prove you have generic asthma, or maybe a prescription for a reliever inhaler? Your employer may not necessarily want the specific details of if the meds you are on etc.
See I believe they will want to know my meds as it says "I.E someone who is eligible for a flu jab each year" and technically I am not eligible as you have to be on a steroid inhaler daily to be eligible. It sounds like I will be going back to work any day now once they have the social distancing measures in place. The fear of being told off for effectively frauding the company is worrying me nearly as much as the virus atm. I'm hoping they will be a bit lenient because it's very confusing with the different types of asthma and different vulnerability categories etc etc.
Even being entitled to a flu jab doesn’t mean you’re “extremely vulnerable”. There are those who are basically healthy or have only a very mild health problem (ie you), those who should be taking extra care (the over 70s & anyone who gets a free flu jab) & those classed as “extremely vulnerable” because of severe illness, who have to quarantine for at least 12weeks.
There are no advantages to being on this list. You have to cut off all personal contact & stay indoors for a minimum of 12weeks, ie til the end of June, & probably much longer (we don’t know yet.) Yes you would get 12 weeks paid leave from work. But you’re providing an essential service & if people like you don’t work that’s going to have a huge impact on all those who really can’t.
Btw I’m sure your employer won’t think you’ve been trying to defraud them! Definitely not. Obviously there’s been a lot of uncertainty about these different categories & especially about the flu jab group & the shielded group. Just explain that you weren’t sure so decided to play safe but now you believe you’re able to work.
You're right. That's one of the biggest stresses for me personally. I know I should be working. I've pretty much never had a day off in my working life. And I'll be totally honest with you, if it was just my asthma then I wouldn't have had a single day off. My Dad who lives with me having Parkinsons and being 72 is the real issue for me. However, I'm not allowed time off with pay because he's only in the Vunerable category and not the Extremely Vunerable category. But you're right, I guess some of us need to keep going. I'm simply going to wait till they ring me to say that they've done all they can at the store to make it safe for me and then I'll go back to work. I imagine the most they will do is refuse to pay for me the last week or so and that won't be the end of the world for me. I guess I'll just have to try my hardest not to bring this darn thing home!
Yes I do understand esp your concerns about your dad. I think most food retailers are now providing screens for staff & practising social distancing. I still believe the hand washing & not touching one’s face are really crucial. Good luck nemoh & try not to worry too much, though these are very uncertain times 😕 You’ll probably feel better at work, amongst friends, able to have a laugh, than you would cut off at home
Hey. I’ve had the same problem. If you look on asthma UK it list medications and if you are on them too you should be shielding for 12wks, I am on some and have another condition but I haven’t had a letter, I phoned my GP and the recreation isn’t said I’m not category A but B so won’t get a letter but go on 111 site and if it says shield show you’re epmloyer that, it isn’t enough they want the NHS letter and to just social distance however all the info I’ve seen says do not goto work, it’s very confusing.
I’m going to ring and ask to speak to a gp tomorrow and read to him what it says on the asthma UK website as I feel I shouldn’t be going to work maybe you do the same?
It’s causing a lot of problems and stress for people this is.
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