Infectious Diseases

If you have an infectious disease, you will not be excluded from work, nor have your duties restricted, as long as you are physically and mentally fit for work and your continued attendance in the workplace does not present a significant risk of disease transmission to other employees, customers or clients.

The decision as to whether or not an employee with an infection should stay away from the workplace will take into account:

• How the infection is transmitted and the ease of transmission.
• The typical duration of the infection.
• The potential harm the infection can cause to other employees, customers or clients. 

You have a responsibility to minimise the risk of disease transmission to work colleagues, customers and clients and are expected to perform good hygiene control measures and use personal protective equipment where provided. If in doubt, do NOT come into work if you have an infectious disease.  

Once you have ascertained (where possible) what the nature of the infection is, you should:

• Follow the relevant medical advice as received from your GP, together with any advice from NHS 111.  If you suspect you have a highly infectious disease such as COVID-19, or swine flu, contact your GP by telephone first, rather than by physical appearance.
• Where possible, arrange for a friend or family member to collect the prescription and drop it in to you, taking care not to come into direct contact with that person.
• Contact a director to inform them of your illness/expected duration of absence following the usual procedure.
• Stay at home and rest.  Do NOT come into work without prior authorization from a director.  If in doubt, stay away until you have spoken to someone.
• Ensure you complete the relevant certification form or receive a Fit Note from your GP to ensure you are paid appropriately upon your return.