Care Home Staff being told lies to work amid Covid-19 case?

[Vergis]

My girlfriend works in a care home for adults with learning difficulties and returned after a 2 week holiday which was cancelled. So we were both at home.

When she returned there was a case of someone coming down with Covid-19 and currently in hospital on a ventilator.

She is really concerned that it maybe spreading there. However, the manager has said that if she went into self isolation or came down with Covid-19 she would only get the universal credit sick pay of £94 a week. Her and her co workers feel obliged to work but I am concerned they will not self isolate if they symptoms?

I have a pre exisiting condition so I am also particularly concerned.

She has been working there for years and has a contract of employment and pays PAYE but the manager has said she wont get full government support or 80% ? Is this true? Or is her manager telling her fibs. (Incidently , the manager complained to the chef at the care home that he wore a mask causing alarm to others when the outbreak first started. He walked out on the spot.)

[quinny100]

The 80% Government support only applies to furloughed workers - basically those laid off by their employer due to lack of work.

Unless her employer provides any enhanced occupational sick pay, she would get Statutory Sick Pay @ £94/week during any period of sickness or self isolation.

[Wonderman]

Are they following NHS guidance?
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/...
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/...

The 80% is only if they are being made redundant, so wouldn't apply.
What is in the contract re sickpay normally, as a private provider they may only operate at this level as standard.

Have they put what they've said in writing? What PPE are they providing if a patient is suspected of having C19?

[Vergis]

Thank you for the clarification.

She may have to consider leaving the job which would be a shame. Its not practical for me to self isolate indefinately while she works there.

[Vergis]

Wonderman said:

Are they following NHS guidance?
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/...
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/...

The 80% is only if they are being made redundant, so wouldn't apply.
What is in the contract re sickpay normally, as a private provider they may only operate at this level as standard.

Have they put what they've said in writing? What PPE are they providing if a patient is suspected of having C19?

They havent put in writing what they have said. Only protection they have are masks.

I believe the contract does not stipulate full sick pay. But I will double check when she comes off work. (On a 3 days stint)

[Wonderman]

Vergis said:

They havent put in writing what they have said. Only protection they have are masks.

I believe the contract does not stipulate full sick pay. But I will double check when she comes off work. (On a 3 days stint)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision#personal-protective-equipment

If no symptoms says follow standard hygiene procedures, the additional is if symptomatic, although the benefits of masks I believe being debated for the public so makes sense to have that as a minimum.

[phumy]

Wonderman said:

The 80% is only if they are being made redundant, so wouldn't apply.

Where is the link for that and where did you cunjour that one up from?