I got a call from work on Wednesday evening telling me not to go to work on Thursday or today. I am a bit concerned (because I was so ill in December 2017 and it sparked an attack that put me in hospital) that if I get this virus it will leave my lungs in an even worse state than they are now. My husband asked me to stay off until the end of April and see how I get on. He saw how quickly I went downhill the last time and is worried about me. He too has asthma.
I phoned work and said that I will self isolate as I need to think of us both. They are alright with that and the HR manager told me today that they will pay me. This isn't something the company usually does. Why then do I feel guilty about taking the time off? There are times we need to really think of ourselves health wise and none more so than at this time. Occupational Health doc phoned me on Thursday and said that I am in the high risk group but not the very high risk. It was up to me whether I self isolated or not. Maybe because I decided is why I feel guilty. I know it is stupid to feel like that.
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WhiteFalcon2017
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Just think about it this way. It’s not just about how this will affect you. You know yourself that you can get seriously ill. If you isolate and manage to avoid it that is one less person who would more likely need hospital and possibly ICU care for the NHS to deal with, leaving more bed space for those who either have had no choice to isolate or those who would have had no way of knowing that they would become seriously ill. It’s about reducing the pressure on the NHS as much as it is about taking care of yourself.
It seems to me that you have an excellent employer. My employer made no effort to reach out to me. When I phoned them yesterday to say that my GP has advised me not to work, the only reply was "well, you won't get paid."
They don't usually pay us and I was surprised to be told I would be paid. I am thankful that I will be paid when I know many others won't be. My company do employ quite a few people with health issues so I know I am not the only one.
Given your medical history I wouldn't feel guilty about staying off work for your safety and well-being.
Did occupational health arrange for you to work from home? If it's possible then it would be considered a reasonable adjustment. If the occupational health team can't offer a safe working environment by making reasonable adjustments then the next step would be to give you time off with pay for the duration of the risk.
I take it that you're a key worker otherwise the subject has been overtaken by government advice to stay at home (if you're not a key worker).
Pressure is on key workers to work despite the risks. But the current situation does not displace health and safety legislation. And the Equality Act 2010 also offers you protection in the workplace.
If the employer cannot allow you to work from home then reasonable adjustments should be made in the workplace so that you can practice strict social distancing. It's about minimising the risk.
If the employer doesn't have access to in-house occupational health services then they should seek help from a qualified consultant. With the facts of your illness and associated risks they will review the workplace and make recommendations to the employer on how to best protect you in the workplace.
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