'Good' bosses won't stop paying workers forced into coronavirus self-isolation

Saturday, 29 February 2020

Workers in coronavirus self-isolation may be left without pay.

Employers with a heart are paying workers who have been forced into temporary self-isolation.

'We've had a few situations already, where people have come back from China, and they've had to self-isolate,' said Tali Williams, secretary for retail, finance and commerce at FIRST Union.

The Ministry of Health is the place to go for guidance on self-isolation.

'The most positive employers have said, 'We won't take it from your sick leave, or annual leave allowances,' she said.

'That's the right thing to do. A good employer says this is a major situation. You're not having fun. It's not your fault you have to be on your own.'

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Tali Williams from First Union says good employers will pay workers in self-isolation for coronavirus.

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But, Williams said: 'We have had a couple who have said workers have got to use sick leave and annual leave.'

Employers should explore whether employees who have to self-isolate can work from home, said Melanie McKay, public affairs manager at the Employers and Manufacturers' Association.

'If that is not an option, discussions in good faith should be undertaken about other possibilities including using sick leave, annual leave or the employer granting such leave in advance.'

A worker and employer could strike a deal to have some of the time in self-isolation to be paid and some unpaid.

Legally, it's not entirely clear whether a worker who threatens to come to work instead of self-isolating would need to be paid, if the employer sends them home.

'Generally, if a person is fit to work and the employer refuses to allow them to work, the employer must pay that person for that period,' the EMA said. 'However, given the directive from the Ministry of Health around its expectations of self-isolation, an employer could arguably rely on this to prevent the employee from coming to work on health and safety grounds and not be liable to pay the employee for the time they are away from work.'

Self-isolation, Kiwi-style, doesn't involve people locking themselves into their bedrooms, or indeed, never going out.

Instead, it means sufferers staying away from situations where they could infect other people, such as social gatherings, schools, work, childcare centres, faith-based gatherings, restaurants, bars, and public gatherings. It also means avoiding public transport.

People in self-isolation should avoid having visitors to their homes, but it is okay for friends and family to drop off food.

They should minimise contact and face-to-face contact closer than one metre to other people at home, and should not share dishes or cups.

People should not shop for themselves, or get medicine for themselves, but have friends or family do it for them.

Online shopping is available, though Civil Defence surveying indicates a high proportion of households- as many as eight in 10- have food stockpiled at home in case of natural disaster.

Among the least prepared were lower-income people who struggled to find money to lay aside food stores, Aucklanders, and Asian people.

The Ministry of Health says people should be mindful of their mental health when self-isolating.

'It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating,' it says.

'Reach out to your usual supports, like family and friends, and talk about how you feel. We also recommend sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes, bedtimes and exercising.'

Those who feel they are not coping should talk with a health professional, or call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor.