i am confused now

[listellor]

i was already to return to work next monday 29/06/2020 but wake up today and see that apparently i cannot return to work until 1st august . I am in the shieding group . i cannot be the only one tried phoning the GP and the que was very long

[charisma]

If you need proof, copy the link to updated Gov advice and present along with shielding letter. Depends which part of the UK you’re reducing in, of course.

I hope you can cope with staying away from work. The furlough scheme was extended to October, last time I looked.

[AgedCrone in reply to charisma]

I got a Government letter today which said

“ From 1 August the advice to shield will be paused . From this date, the Government is advising you to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures.

Strict social distancing means you may wish to go out to more places & see more people but you should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household or support bubble”

It is a 4 page letter & says “You can use this letter as evidence for your employer to show you cannot work outside your home until 31 July, including for statutory sick pay purposes “

I seem to have been included in the shielding category....shame nobody thought to tell me....or my Rheumatologist ....who told me to self isolate back April.

[Knitmare in reply to AgedCrone]

The medics are receiving mixed messages/so called guidance from the government. My GP phoned me to say I was clinically extremely vulnerable, my rheumatolgy clinic e mailed confirming this & told me to shield. However, as I never received an actual letter, I was deemed ineligible for the good parcels etc. Then a couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from rheumatolgy advising me to extend shielding to 30th June. That weekend the news sneaked outshielders were allowed out for one walk a day. Had my phone review with rheumatologist who confirmed 1 walk a day, absolutely no going in public buildings. GP letter received saying food parcels would stop! Letter from Govt yesterday saying I'm clinically extremely vulnerable. Phone call from GP receptionist yesterday calling me in for regular blood test, told her not allowed in public buildings and nurse visited me at home last time. Receptionist said she'd book me in at drive through blood test as it's accessible by tram!!!!! Obviously not picked up clue DRIVE THROUGH, not to mention risk of public transport. Hubby took me this morning and a lovely nurse did blood test, she was less than impressed by GP receptionist, but as I said at the start NHS is getting mixed messages.

[AgedCrone in reply to Knitmare]

I’m just doing what I feel comfortable doing....my rheumy has been very helpful...but my GP hasn’t got a clue!

[Knitmare in reply to AgedCrone]

That's the best course of action I think.

[Soundofmusic52]

I was the same tryed ringing dr but no answer I still think I am ready to be honest to go back to work if only for some normality in my life I keep eating feel lazy and anxious at home . So think I am going back it’s pretty safe where I work 🥴

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to Soundofmusic52]

I feel the same, I'm happy to go back now if it's safe to do so. This virus hasn't gone away but with common sense and good hygiene hopefully we can get back to some normality and sanity!

[AgedCrone in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

I agree with you. I ’m long retired, but I would definitely try to go back to work now.......as long as I was confident my place of work felt safe.

Pessimist that I am, I would think refusing to go back might put me in first place if there were any redundancies in the offing.

After all, if we are feeling well, the number of infections is falling.....tbh I’d be fed up remaining in the shielded category.....there is just so much time you can spend sitting in the garden,& tidying drawers!.

[HappykindaGal in reply to AgedCrone]

You’re right AC, it would put you first in the queue, particularly if you’ve been there less than two years. Unless you’re exceptional of course and have been thinking of ways to improve the business whilst on furlough. If you’ve not and are known to be tricky etc..lots of time off, you’re in the danger zone.

[AgedCrone in reply to HappykindaGal]

Sadly many people will be losing their jobs or at least having to take a pay cut!

But the Chancellor seems to have had a good idea with furloughing.....

Wheat from Chaff?

[HappykindaGal in reply to AgedCrone]

I can see reduced hours coming in for quite a long period. Hospitality is already laying people off as they know they're not going to be able to keep people on. There will be winners and losers here, as with most things.

For once, looks like I'm in the winners camp. So many enquiries as clinics realise they don't need an onsite reception and admin team as the costs are too high. Plus, we can also help with their marketing so it's a no brainer for them to reduce their staff costs by 50% or more.

[AgedCrone in reply to HappykindaGal]

I also understand if people don’t want to go beck to work, they will still get paid if they use their holiday entitlement, but after that it’s only SSP.

Rock & hard place ....

[AgedCrone in reply to HappykindaGal]

If it goes on much longer I might be looking for a job!

I rather fancy sitting at home in either my bikini or my PJs, pretending I’m working again.👩‍💻

But I just had some good news....my travel insurance company says all their policies cover CV19....medical expenses & repatriation.....Of course only if you catch it during the holiday....it wouldn’t cover cancellation i you caught it here before you travelled.

But then who would be daft enough to travel...if they already had symptoms?

[HappykindaGal in reply to AgedCrone]

Hahaha. What do you think I do. I'm sitting outside in the garden 'working'

[AgedCrone in reply to HappykindaGal]

I believe you.....thousands wouldn’t!

[HappykindaGal in reply to AgedCrone]

Haha

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you AC. I've just had my back to work phone call as the Original guidance was the 30/6 but obviously that has changed now. I said I was happy to go back in August but it sounds like I will be working from home whilst the distancing rules are still in place. Even though I know personally I would be better in the workplace for the routine and social interaction, I have to wait and see what our Estates say about Staff in the vulnerable group going back..May be working from home for a while!

[AgedCrone in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

It really is one big muddle isn’t it? Especially as it has now been discovered most of us with RA aren’t that vulnerable anyway.

Obviously until the government set down definite rulings as to who will decide which people will need to remain at home ..... no company is going to chance employing somebody who has been shielding are they....if they can’t work from home ?

I think the idea will be to get as many people as possible back In to work .....because when the furlough payments end, employers are not going to be able to pay all their present employees ......a lot will probably have to choose to go on long-term unpaid leave or take redundancy payments.

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to AgedCrone]

Exactly, apparently my employer is having a big meeting about it next week, they having been asking everyone..not the just the shielding, if they would rather work from home or go into work and it's been a bit of a mixed bag.

We have staff who were catching two buses to their usual place of work so are being based in offices closer to their home, so they will all need accommodating too.

Different ways of working will be here for a while I think! Hopefully no one will lose their jobs because of it either when the furlough schemes ends.

[AgedCrone in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

At least your employer is doing some planning.,,,,wish those In charge would make some plans we could understand!

[Delainey in reply to AgedCrone]

I so agree with you. Had enough tidying and pottering now but sadly work in a school and therefore cant go til August when it will be the hols so on it goes!,Also had knee replacement cancelled it was scheduled the week they stopped all elective surgery, so that has to be fitted in somewhere!

[AgedCrone in reply to Delainey]

Thi has been a right Bxxxxx hasn’t it.

It wouldn’t be so bad if we felt those in charge and you what they were doing!

[Caringcazz in reply to Soundofmusic52]

I was ready to go back to work next Wednesday after 12 weeks of shielding. My Hr manager has been phoning every week to see how I am and telling me my job was safe. Its covid secure to the best of there ability. Yesterday kn their web page its said a member of staff in the office where I work has tested positive for covid after showing symptoms. So that panicked me a bit . Then today I recieved a letter from the Gov to stay at home till 1st August.

[Hidden]

I spoke to my consultant he wrote me a letter

[listellor]

the problem i have is i would come into contact with a lot of people . there is around 150 people in my place of work and i would probobly be in contact with most of them, i am waiting to see if the gp gives me a call back or just issues the note

[Gigi71]

I received the government letter from the Department of Health and Social Care in the post today. Quite a long letter, for those who work you can go back on the 1st August if it’s safe to do so. Shielding will be paused , but still keep to strict social distancing when out. X

[listellor]

well just had a chat with my boss . she said the reason is the company would not insure me and the only way i could return to work before hand is sign a disclaimer which even she said you shouldnt do . o well another month

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to listellor]

That's good you've got some clarity now. 😊

[Summerrain14]

So pleased you have had a little more clarification from your boss today. It is going to cause a lot of anxiety for both employees and employers alike I think.

[Sheila_G]

I received letter yesterday. It is basically 4 pages of what you can do from 6 July and what you can do from 1 August but the overwhelming advise is that we are still risking very serious illness if we catch the virus. I don't need to go out but I feel so sorry for those of you who have to work. They have given August 1 as the date to return to work, obviously, because furlough ends in July. I don't see how you can socially distance wh i k e working with a lot of people. Look at Germany. I would wait until nearer the time and ask GP advice. He might sign you off sick for a while longer. Good luck. x

[CallMeSunny]

Hello listellor...all the information you need is set out on (google it) Gov.UK Guidance on Shielding & Protecting People who are Clinically Vulnerable from COVID-19. When you open it there is a panel in blue along the left hand side, scroll down and click on ‘Work & Employment for those who are shielding’. It’s really easy to understand and you can also show it to your employer if necessary. Good luck...I hope that, when you do go back to work, you will do so armed with this reassurance. By the way, the whole of the publication is relevant for anyone who is shielding! Sue.

[listellor]

just had another call from my boss . she has just got a letter from Hr saying i would be going down to SSP from next week . so she is contacting HR because the company says i cannot work until 1st august its not because im unwilling or unwell to work , be interesting to see what she comes back with i did say i thought sick pay was not being counted and she said if you have a attendence mneeting it would be discounted . so somethings not right . even if i was furlowed i would get my salery paid

[listellor]

well she just called back , all i would get is SSP until i return to work because i have had time of for the Ra in the past . o well looks like like no more butchers for me until i return to work