New covid rules mean workers can have 28 days off without proof

Unions have told workers they can stay off work for 28 days without having to provide proof in the form of a sick note.

Members were advised of their new rights, which combined with a change in testing rules announced this week could see people decide to stay home, reports Hull Live.

However, MPs are calling for the Government to reverse the changes in fears that the new rules could be abused and make the staffing crisis worse.

READ MORE:Fears of NHS staffing crisis over 'skyrocketing' Omicron cases

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Hospitals, schools and local authorities as well as train companies are among those that are already scrapping services because of a lack of staff in the Omicron crisis.

Before the rule change, anyone who wanted to stay off work for more than eight days with an illness would need to get a sick note.

But that has now changed so that you can stay off for 28 days without seeing a GP. The change was made to free up doctors to deliver the vaccine.

But combined with changes to the testing rules, it could see thousands of people decide to stay home.

From January 11 you will not need to take a PCR test to prove you are ill if you test positive for Covid with a lateral flow test taken yourself at home.

Public sector union Unison told its members: “ The UK Government has made a temporary change to the provision of ‘fit notes’ until January 27 2022. If you go off sick on or after December 10 2021, employers can only ask employees for proof of sickness (such as a fit note) after 28 days of sickness (including non-working days).”

Unite told members: “proof of sickness cannot be requested earlier than 28 days”.

More than 20 NHS trusts have already declared critical incidents, 10 per cent of train workers are off sick or isolating and there are fears schools will soon return to online teaching as the Government says staff absences will rise.

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