The government have put in place measures for employer requirements to support those who have been instructed to self-isolate. Breaches can be punishable by fines and penalties:
Make sure your workers self-isolate
You should help your employees self-isolate if they:
- have coronavirus symptoms and are waiting for a test result
- have tested positive for coronavirus
- are a member of the same household as someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus
- have been in close recent contact with someone who has tested positive and received a notification to self-isolate from NHS Test and Trace
You should not share the identity of a worker who has tested positive with other workers.
Where workers are asked to self-isolate because they are a close contact of a positive case
If a worker is asked by the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate, you should:
- not ask them to come into work and tell them to stay at home for their period of self-isolation
- continue to communicate with them and provide support
- allow them to work from home if they remain well and it is practicable to do so, for example, by finding alternative work that can be completed at home
If a worker cannot work from home, you:
- must ensure they receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provided they meet the eligibility criteria
- may consider giving them the option to use their paid leave days if they prefer
Employees in self-isolation are entitled to SSP for every day they are in isolation, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions. You may be able to reclaim. The NHS Test and Trace service will provide evidence to your worker that they have been told to self-isolate. You should ask them to follow the instructions on getting an isolation note if you require evidence. You may need this evidence to reclaim SSP.
If contacted by NHS Test and Trace, your worker will need to isolate for the full 14 days from when they came into contact with the positive case. They will not be able to leave self-isolation early even if they are not symptomatic as it can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms.
They should not take a test if they are not symptomatic as this could generate a false negative and they may then go on to develop symptoms in the following days.
PAYadvice.UK 28/9/2020
