Isolation notes have now been launched.
Please note: the legal advice given in this article is correct as of 20/03/20. As the situation develops, guidance is subject to change and, while we will do our best to give you up to date information, it is always advisable to speak with a solicitor for specific advice.
The purpose of isolation notes are to provide employees with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
For the first seven days off work, presently employees can self-certify so they don’t need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where the absence is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate.
The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online here: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
It has today been reported that Matt Hancock, the Health & Social Care Secretary, has said that if an employee does not have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer. The service can also apparently be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else.
Farleys Solicitors LLP specialise in employment law & HR for businesses and employees. If you or your business requires HR & employment law advice and support in relation to the current Covid-19 / Coronavirus situation and/or in relation to any other specific area for example; contracts of employment, staff handbooks, absence from work, home-working, apprentices, recruitment, restructures, redundancies, lay-off; short-time working; disciplinaries, grievances, employee exits, settlement agreements; and Employment Tribunal claim or defence and representation; please contact us on 0845 287 0939 or get in touch by email.
