Employee rights and coronavirus
If you are self-isolating or shielding because of Government advice, ask your employer what options are available to you. Check their policy on:
- paid sick leave in your contract
- statutory sick pay
- working from home
- reasonable adjustments
If you’re self-isolating
Self-isolation will usually last 7 to 14 days. You may need to self-isolate because:
- you have coronavirus
- you have coronavirus symptoms, such as a high temperature or new continuous cough
- someone in your household has coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms
Depending on your situation and your employer, you can:
- take paid sick leave
- get Statutory Sick Pay
- work from home
Self-isolation guidance for households with possible coronavirus (GOV.UK)
If you’re shielding
The government advises that people who are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus stay at home as much as possible. This is called ‘shielding’. If you are shielding because of government guidance, you may be able to work from home instead of taking sick leave.
If you’re not sure if you should be shielding or think you should be but have not been told to by the NHS, speak to your GP.
Shielding and work after 1 August
In England, after 1 August you can go back to work if you cannot work from home. Your workplace should follow the government guidance and make sure it’s ‘coronavirus-safe’ so you can return.
The government asks employers to make sure ‘robust measures’ are in place to keep employees who were shielding safe and to ease their transition back to work.
If you feel uncertain about returning to work, speak to your employer to find out their policies on coronavirus changes. Agree a plan for returning to work, including any adjustments you need.
Shielding and the expected changes
Shielding advice is different in Wales:
Warning If you’re in local lockdown
Sick leave
If you need to self-isolate because you or someone you live with has coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms you should be able to take sick leave and keep your job. But tell your employer as soon as possible.
Depending on your employer’s policy and your contract, your employer may ask you to take the paid sick leave in your contract or statutory sick pay (SSP). Ask your employer about their sick leave policy.
If your employer needs evidence, ask the NHS for an Isolation Note.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You can now get SSP from the first day you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus. You can also get SSP if you need to care for someone else who is self-isolating.
With SSP you can get £94.25 per week and your employer pays this for up to 28 weeks. To be eligible for SSP you need to earn an average of at least £118 per week.
Check if you're eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (GOV.UK)
If you’re not eligible for SSP, you can claim:
If you are eligible, you will get New Style Employment and Support Allowance from day 1 of sickness if you either:
- have coronavirus
- are advised to stay at home
Working from home
If you’re shielding or self-isolating but you’re not sick, ask if you can work from home instead of taking sick leave. You might do this because:
- the NHS told you to shield for 12 weeks due to an underlying health condition
- someone in your household is extremely vulnerable to coronavirus
- someone in your household has coronavirus but you do not
Your employer should try to make reasonable adjustments for you to continue to work. For example:
- providing IT and equipment so you can work at home
- flexible working to manage childcare or look after an extremely vulnerable person
Every employer has someone responsible for providing equipment to work safely. If you’re not sure who this is, ask for the person responsible for health and safety.
Furlough and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Your employer might have kept you on the payroll, even if you could not work. This is known as being ‘on furlough’. If you were furloughed before 10 June, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) helps pay your wages while you're on furlough.
Under the scheme the government will pay:
- 80% of your wages in June and July, including Employer National Insurance (ER NICS) and pension contributions up to a monthly cap of £2,500
- 80% of your wages in August with a monthly cap of £2,500, and your employer pays your ER NICS and pension contributions
- 70% of your wages in September with a monthly cap of £2,187.50. Your employer pays the other 10% and your ER NICS and pension contributions.
- 60% of your wages in October with a monthly cap of £1,875. Your employer pays the remaining 20% and your ER NICS and pension contributions.
Videos and free webinars about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (GOV.UK)
From 1 July, employers can bring furloughed employees back to work part-time and still claim under the CJRS.
Warning Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme changes
The scheme closed on 30 June but you must have been on furlough for 3 weeks before 30 June to claim. If you were not on furlough before 10 June, your employer cannot use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
If you missed the furlough deadline or your salary is reduced because of furloughing, you may be eligible for benefits.
If you are self-employed
You cannot furlough if you are self-employed but you can claim Self-Employment Income Support instead.
Going back to work if someone in your house is shielding
You can go back to work if your partner or someone you live with is shielding, as long as your workplace is following government guidance to make it ‘coronavirus-safe’.
If you’re worried, speak to your employer to find out their policies on coronavirus changes. You could try agreeing a plan for returning to work, including any adjustments you need to keep you and your household safe.
You should also follow the government guidance on what to do if you live with someone who is shielding.
Benefits if you cannot work
You may be able to claim Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or other benefits if you are unable to work.
Working safely during coronavirus
The government has published online guides to help employers and employees return to work safely during coronavirus. All employers must carry out a risk assessment and share the results on their website. If you’re worried about your safety, ask your employer what measures will be in place to protect you.
Government guidance for making workplaces safe (GOV.UK)
If your employer does not carry out a risk assessment, or you believe the business should be closed, contact your local Trading Standards office.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 10/07/2020
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