Legal Advice Required.

[derekpara]

'Morning all. Can anyone please offer some advice on behalf of my son ?

He and I are confused by the advice/recommendations we are receiving from the Government and his employer. My son ( 'C') works in London at a branch of a large Building Society and travels to and from work by overground and underground trains as well as a bus. He suffers from Coeliacs, Ulcerative Colitis and Asthma (medium level) and has been told that he must continue to attend work as usual, despite all his forms of transport are crowded.

'C' is very hard-working and diligent and had asked if he could work from 10 to 3 (working through his lunch hour)instead of 8-4.30 so as to avoid the crowds, lower the risk to himself and his young family and semi-comply with the government's strong advice not to travel and avoid other people (!)
His boss has interrogated him quite aggressively and virtually decreed that if 'C' decides to stay at home or reduce his hours withour permission he could face disciplinary action or dismissal. The HR dept at Head Office, who are all working safely from home (!) confirm that that is the case; either attend work as usual or face dismissal.

I know that many other people are in a far worse position than my son but have you any thoughts ? Thanks.

D

[woofgang]

Does he receive a flu vaccine on medical advice?

[derekpara]

Yes, Woofy, he does.

[Theland]

Can't help I'm afraid but wish him well, and disgusted at his treatment.

[fiction-factory]

Is he entitled to OSP if he goes off sick?
How long has he worked there?

[THECORBYLOON]

What is OSP?

[Old_Geezer]

Trouble is the BS needs to deal with crowds during the times they are normally open. Until head office decides to close the branches, or are ordered to by government, employees are one of those necessary occupations. Maybe if government stops all public transport and pays for folk to stay home...

[fiction-factory]

OSP= occupational sick pay, as opposed to SSP

[THECORBYLOON]

Ahhhhh, we just called it company sick pay in my day...

[ToraToraTora]

get a doctors note, scan and send to boss, stay home.

[THECORBYLOON]

Employers have a duty of care and it might be worth 'phoning ACAS for advice since the employer appears to be insisting on putting your son at greater risk by refusing to alter the working hours.

0300 123 1100. Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm

[derekpara]

Thanks to you all for your input.
FF, yes he would get OSP and he's worked with the society fro 24 years.

O.G, the only crowds he has to deal with are those on the trains ! Only about six customers in branch per day now.
TTT. he is not sick in the temporary sense, just at risk with his underlying illnesses.
TCL @11.48. Problem is that his main concern is the crowded travel, and I'm sure the company wouldn't accept any responsibilty for that !

Thanks again. D

[THECORBYLOON]

If they expect him to travel during a period when his health is more at risk, it could be they are not observing their duty of care. See what ACAS says