{"id":2645,"date":"2020-03-16T08:54:40","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T08:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2645"},"modified":"2020-03-16T08:54:40","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T08:54:40","slug":"coronavirus-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/coronavirus-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We appreciate nannies have a number of questions and are understandably feeling extremely
\nanxious.<\/p>\n

At BAPN we don\u2019t pretend to have all the answers, in fact no one currently has \u2013 not even our
\ngovernment or medical experts worldwide. The Coronavirus is a new virus. However, based on the
\nmore common queries we\u2019re receiving, we\u2019d like to offer the following information and hope it
\nproves useful:<\/p>\n

What\u2019s happening?<\/strong>
\nThe government and its health advisers are telling us that large numbers of the country\u2019s workforce
\nare likely to be absent at any one time as the Coronavirus takes hold. We appreciate this is worrying
\nbut bear in mind there will be varying degrees of symptoms, some no worse than the usual winter
\nflu.
\nOf course the impact on nannies won\u2019t just be if they become ill or have to self-isolate. A further
\nunknown is what will happen in the event of schools and nursery closures? Just as their employer is
\nlikely to need them more, nannies with their own children could find it impossible to go to work.
\nLikewise, those who have partners or dependents who become ill may also need to stay home\u2026. and
\nso it goes on. The situation as it develops will have a major impact on all of us.
\nThe best advice we can offer right now is that by working together and having open dialogue,
\nnannies and their employers can avoid unnecessary panic. Employers MUST adhere to government
\nguidance and if their nanny has to self-isolate so be it. Infected nannies or those who could
\npotentially be at risk, must self-isolate and stay at home and not show up for work as a result of
\neither misplaced loyalty or employer pressure. This is no different for a live-in nanny, the same
\napplies although it does come with additional challenges when the nanny\u2019s home is that of the
\nemployer.<\/p>\n

Your Employment<\/strong>
\nMany employers in various industries are already considering allowing their workforce, where
\npossible, to work from home during this current crisis. However, the majority of nannies are simply
\nnot able to work from home. That said, government guidance is still relevant and the requirement
\non employers to treat their nanny fairly still applies. Nannies must not be put at risk simply
\nbecause of the nature of their employment.<\/p>\n

Self-isolation<\/strong>
\nThe government is currently recommending that anyone who has recently visited certain \u201chigh risk\u201d
\ncountries or regions, or has had recent contact with someone who has, should isolate themselves.<\/p>\n

For updated information relating to countries or regions considered \u201chigh risk\u201d please visit\u00a0https:\/\/publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk\/2020\/02\/20\/what-is-self-isolati\u2026<\/a>
\nWe understand the list of high-risk areas is being updated on a daily basis.
\nThe government has also set out guidance on measures to take while in isolation:\u00a0https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-self\u2026<\/a>
\nYou should familiarise yourself of these measures regardless of whether you are feeling ill or not.
\nIf you know you have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of Coronavirus, or if
\nyou have symptoms and, having contacted the NHS 111 line it was recommended you self-isolate,
\nyou should follow instructions to the letter.<\/p>\n

To get help from NHS 111, you can:
\n\u2022 visit 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only)
\n\u2022 call 111
\n\u2022 NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n

A period of suspension<\/strong><\/p>\n

Should an employer have concerns about an employee, in particular, where it is known or suspected
\nthat they had contact with someone known to have Coronavirus, they might decide to suspend as a
\nprecautionary measure. This is acceptable and must be on full pay unless the employee\u2019s
\nemployment contract allows for suspension without pay. This would be most unusual.<\/p>\n

Sickness absence<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s likely that this might become tricky for employers and employees on the basis that it will not only
\nbe those who are ill that are off work but also those looking after family members who are ill or
\nthose with children in the event of schools and nurseries being closed.
\nPlease note: Employers are not obliged to pay their employee if s\/he is not sick but cannot come to
\nwork because they have been advised to self-isolate. Your employer can choose to treat this period
\nas sick leave and pay following their usual sick pay procedures or, offer you the option of taking
\nannual leave or unpaid leave.<\/p>\n

Statutory Sick pay (SSP)<\/strong><\/p>\n

E<\/strong>ligibility for SSP can seem complicated at the best of times.
\nTo qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you must:
\n\u2022 be classed as an employee
\n\u2022 have been ill for at least 4 days in a row (this can include non-working days), however the
\ngovernment has temporarily changed the rules on this meaning payment will come in from
\nday 1 for COVID-19 symptoms or self-isolation.
\n\u2022 earn an average of at least \u00a3118 per week
\n\u2022 Tell your employer you\u2019re sick before their deadline – or within 7 days if they do not have
\none
\nThe SSP payment is currently \u00a394.25 per week
\nIf you do not qualify for SSP, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment and
\nSupport Allowance, and the government has made temporary changes in this regard. See their
\nwebsite for the most up-to-date information.<\/p>\n

Occupational sick pay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many nannies, not all, will receive sick pay as set out in their employment contracts. All nannies
\nshould dig out a copy of their current contract and be familiar with its terms, in particular, what
\nhappens when the nanny is ill \/ unable to work.
\nIt is most unlikely that your contract will include self-isolation, time off to care for infected family
\nmembers but nonetheless, be familiar with what is included.
\nNannies are urged to speak with their employers about \u201cWhat If\u201d. What will happen in cases of
\nillness or isolation? Have this conversation as soon as possible and agree a strategy before anything
\nhappens. We\u2019d advise an inclusion is added to the employment contract so that expectations are
\nmet and understood.<\/p>\n

Sick Notes \/ Fit Notes Certificates of Sickness Absence<\/strong><\/p>\n

An employer will normally require you to produce a doctor\u2019s certificate, or \u2018fit note\u2019, after 7 days
\nabsence. Coronavirus symptoms are likely to last more than 7 days, and if you are unwell or in
\nisolation, it will be difficult for you to obtain a doctors’ certificate. In these circumstances, the
\ngovernment has ruled that an e-mail confirmation of diagnoses will be enough for Coronavirus
\nCOVID-19 and those in self-isolation. You can access more information online via NHS 111.<\/p>\n

What if I don\u2019t \/ can\u2019t go to work through the current crisis?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no legal right for employees to be paid under these circumstances or if a school \/ nursery
\ncloses and an employee is required to care for a dependent. Your employer could offer you a period
\nof paid annual leave or unpaid leave or allow you to work from home where this is feasible.
\nBAPN is urging all nannies to check their current employment contract and to have a conversation
\nwith their employer now, before such a problem arises.<\/p>\n

Lay Off<\/strong><\/p>\n

Employees who are willing and able to work but are not provided with work by their employer can
\nbe placed on \u201clay off\u201d.
\nLay off must be with full pay unless there is a provision within the contract of employment for lay off
\nwithout pay. If there is no contractual provision, employers can attempt to agree with employees a
\nperiod of unpaid lay off. BAPN is aware that many employment contracts provided by nanny
\nagencies and some nanny payroll providers allow for lay off and therefore you should check your
\ncontract closely.<\/p>\n

Providing information, advice and guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a duty on all employers to keep their employees informed with up-to-date, reliable
\ninformation from sources like the Department for Health and Public Health England and nanny
\nemployers are no different. BAPN is aware of some really dubious sources of misinformation, in
\nparticular, that found on Facebook! This is far too serious a subject. Only seek information from
\nreliable sources only. Such as:<\/p>\n

\u00a0https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/coronavirus-covid-19\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.who.int\/docs\/default-source\/coronaviruse\/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.hse.gov.uk\/news\/coronavirus.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We appreciate nannies have a number of questions and are understandably feeling extremely anxious. At BAPN we dont pretend to have all the answers, in fact no one currently has not even our government or medical experts worldwide. The Coronavirus is a new virus. However, based on the more common queries were receiving, wed like … Continue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,5,6,10,11,16,17,18,19,20],"tags":[89,96,100,111,153,154,296,299,302,326,332,373,375,378],"class_list":["post-2645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-agencies","category-au-pairs","category-babysitters","category-childcare","category-childminders","category-guest-blogs","category-health","category-nannies","category-nurseries","category-nurses","category-parents","category-payroll","tag-childcare","tag-childminder","tag-children","tag-communication","tag-employer","tag-employing-a-nanny","tag-nannies","tag-nanny","tag-nanny-contract","tag-nanny-tips","tag-nannylife","tag-parent","tag-parenting","tag-parents"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2645\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nannyjob.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}