Employment law - time off Covid

[JohnDeere8530]

My Dad has a house keeper on PAYE for 20hrs/week

He now has Covid and luckily has no symptoms at all
He mentioned it to the House Keeper, which tbh is a pia
She now wants a week off on full pay in case she catches it off him. Ironically every afternoon she works in a discount food shop, without batting an eyelid and has done through the entire pandemic, so this really is just an excuse for her
I know the law has changed, as now it is no longer mandatory to isolate after testing positive. That said, of course it is wise to stay out others' way if possible.
The farmhouse is very large and total distance can be kept between the two of them
And/or he can stay out on the farm walking the fields with his dog, which he loves when she is at work (4hrs/day)
So, in theory, she could come to work and not be at any risk - with the exception of touching something that he has touched, like dinner plates

His question is, should she be able take the time off on full pay, which she is basically using Covid as an excuse?.
Or can he say the time off is coming out of her holiday entitlement?
Or lastly, as its possible for him to stay totally out of her way can he insist she comes into work - and if she doesn't then he doesn't pay her?

A bit of a murky area I think?

 

[bobk]

No , she's voluntarily taking time off ,

 

[betweenthelines]

Time off unpaid I would say. Her decision to make herself unavailable for work.

 

[kiwi pom]

Probably unpaid. If she packs a sad and leaves how easy is it to find another housekeeper?

 

[Exfarmer]

Sorry Dad has got to look after himself for a week.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

If she don't come in to work then she is unavailable for work, its voluntary on her part no to work, so no pay,
However if your dad wants to pay her then he can,

In this situation it depends on how you value your staff, how replaceable they are etc, to how you want to play it looking long term

 

[farenheit]

Ask her to work at your house instead and is she says no you know she’s trying it on.

 

[gone up the hill]

My Dad has a house keeper on PAYE for 20hrs/week

He now has Covid and luckily has no symptoms at all
He mentioned it to the House Keeper, which tbh is a pia
She now wants a week off on full pay in case she catches it off him. Ironically every afternoon she works in a discount food shop, without batting an eyelid and has done through the entire pandemic, so this really is just an excuse for her
I know the law has changed, as now it is no longer mandatory to isolate after testing positive. That said, of course it is wise to stay out others' way if possible.
The farmhouse is very large and total distance can be kept between the two of them
And/or he can stay out on the farm walking the fields with his dog, which he loves when she is at work (4hrs/day)
So, in theory, she could come to work and not be at any risk - with the exception of touching something that he has touched, like dinner plates

His question is, should she be able take the time off on full pay, which she is basically using Covid as an excuse?.
Or can he say the time off is coming out of her holiday entitlement?
Or lastly, as its possible for him to stay totally out of her way can he insist she comes into work - and if she doesn't then he doesn't pay her?

A bit of a murky area I think?

So if she had covid and your dad did not would you still be happy for her still to come into work at your dads House??.....

Also if she gets covid from your dad it may mean she cannot do her other job, are you prepared to cover her wages for that job if that happens??

Whilst the law has changed, most employers are asking/telling staff to take 5 days off/ not go into work if they catch covid.

 

[ollie989898]

Depends on how much you value the housekeeper. I know some people who literally rely on them as part of the family. Apparently it's like having a second wife, only a lot less complicated and easier to operate?

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Probably unpaid. If she packs a sad and leaves how easy is it to find another housekeeper?

Depends on the perks?

 

[Lofty1984]

If she’s good at what she does and is reliable usually and gets on great with everyone just bloody pay her, how would you feel if she got covid and passed it on to a vulnerable relative or friend and made them seriously Ill, granted could catch it at her other job but that’s her look out then

 

[little_p]

Let me get this right, he has enough money to live (own?) a "very large" farmhouse but is stressing about paying a few hours of pay to a housekeeper?

What is the sick pay scheme if she does become ill from catching covid from your father?
Has she given any reason why she doesn't want to come? For example does she has a (disability) medical condition which might be worsen by Covid?

Your father as her employer has a 'duty of care' towards the employee. Working in an environment with someone that has an infectious disease would potentially be putting them at risk. Therefore he has to take 'reasonable' steps to reduce any risk. Ensuring that she wears PPE (face mask, gloves) uses disinfectant and keeping away from her seems pretty reasonable to me.

Call her out on it; offer her an alternative location i.e. your house. Is TOIL / making the hours an option? Maybe as a solution instead of coming this week, she makes up the hours another time maybe do a 'deep clean'?
Otherwise it is unpaid or paid holiday.

 

[chickens and wheat]

If shes a good employee then just pay her.

Has she turned up regularly during covid lockdown? When others may have hidden away at home.

If you sack her/pee her off how easy is she to replace?

Just make her aware its a good will payment not a precedent