It is important as employers and equally employees that you understand the rules regarding self isolating.
Throughout the pandemic, employees have been told to self-isolate if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, have tested positive, live with someone who has symptoms or arrive back in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk, as per Government guidelines.
This advice has been designed to safeguard others from potentially contracting the virus, however, one worker has been sacked for self-isolating at the start of the crisis.
Jackie Reid, a shop worker with diabetes was dismissed by the Good Health Store in the Isle of Man after following her GP’s advice because her condition made her more vulnerable to the virus, reported the Daily Mail.
Since her sacking, a tribunal agreed that she was unfairly dismissed and suffered unlawful deductions from her pay and was awarded a £7,000 payout.
Where the employer went wrong, they should have agreed a period of leave rather than being dismissed.
