Good afternoon

I am seeking opinions on what your plans are re: covid restrictions for September 22.   We are currently still asking staff to self isolate for 5 days if they test positive and whilst usual sick pay entitlements apply, we do have a small group of staff who are paid SSP only, so at the moment we are topping up their sick pay to compensate for being asked to isolate.

We are considering removing the requirement to isolate for 5 days, so that staff can return so long as they are feeling well and we can cease the topping up where applicable, but am keen to seek opinions on that?

We have also observed that the staff who are still testing (testing obviously being much more difficult now) and so are aware that they are positive, are often the same staff that experience higher levels of absence.  Am I being pessimistic or has anyone else experienced similar?

Many thanks in advance

Penny