Managing COVID-19 related absence

Page updated: 29/09/2023

All respiratory tract infections including Covid-19 should be managed in line with our normal Sickness Absence and Time Off procedures.

Please note that separate Welsh Government guidance is in place for our social care and special school workforce:

 

The key things you need to know as a manager:

  • There is no legal requirement to self-isolate if someone has tested positive for, or has the main symptoms of, COVID-19.
  • If an employee has COVID-19 symptoms and is not fit to work, then sickness absence should now be recorded under standard occupational codes for respiratory infection. Further information in relation to recording absence can be found on our Recording Absence pages of the Intranet.
  • All sickness absence, including covid symptomatic, is to be included for the purposes of triggers within the Sickness Absence policy and procedures.
  • If an employee has a respiratory infection and is fit to work, then appropriate mitigations should be considered in line with current Welsh Government Guidance such as:
  • Meeting outdoors where possible and ensuring good ventilation if indoors.
  • Taking additional precautions when visiting vulnerable people and avoiding meeting them, if possible, when experiencing symptoms of respiratory infection.
  • Washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing face coverings in close contact areas.
  • Working from home if the role lends itself to home working.
  • Considering alternative duties where possible.
  • Employees are also encouraged to get vaccinated and stay up to date with their COVID-19 boosters and flu jab. Requests for time off for any vaccination will need to be managed in line with our Time Off policy.
  • It continues to be a legal duty to have in place an individual risk assessment for new and expectant workers.
  • Our Occupational Health Team continues to take new referrals where fitness to work and / or wellbeing advice is required so that employees can maintain, or return to, work.
  • As a reminder, the Council has agreed to reimburse the cost of the flu vaccination for employees who are not eligible for a free vaccination. Claiming a reimbursement can be done via the employee’s My View account, which is now accessible from any device, by selecting the expenses section – a receipt will be required as proof.

 

Please ensure your teams are made aware of this information.

 

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