Schools to close again.. Covid

rainbowtrout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589860#Comment_118589860

It's posted here.

https://www.tui.ie/news/information-note-000222-covid-special-leave-with-pay-arrangements-.14395.html

rainbowtrout

Main points:

• COVID-19 Leave with Pay remains available for someone who displays COVID-19 symptoms, receives a positive PCR test or receives a positive antigen test result (where acceptable)
• COVID-19 Leave with Pay is now set at a maximum of 10 days (was 28 days previously).
• Where the employee is medically unfit for work after the 10 day period, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply. New changes take effect from 7th February 2022
• For an employee who commenced COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay prior to 7th February, the maximum limit of 28 days still applies.
• Restricted Movement Leave as set out in Paragraph 3 of Information Note 001/2022 still applies

gaiscioch

Thanks, Ken and Rainbow.

First, it would seem from those that "Day Zero", the day you get diagnosed, is followed by 7 full days, or have I misunderstood that? ["You should self-isolate (stay in your room) as soon as you notice symptoms of COVID-19 or get a positive COVID-19 test result. Either of these are considered day zero when you’re counting your days of self-isolation."]

Second, in the sample scenarios [Information Note TC 0002.2022 COVID SLWP] we have this: "Scenario 3 On 6th February 2022, employee is recorded as on Day 1 of Special Leave With Pay because they tested positive for COVID-19. The maximum Special Leave With Pay entitlement for this employee is 28 consecutive days, in line with paragraph 2.4 of Circular 0042/2021. Subject to specific criteria, there is extended entitlement to Special Leave with Pay beyond 28 days in line with paragraph 2.5 of Circular 0042/2021."

Now, 6 February/yesterday was a Sunday. Can a Sunday be considered "Day 1 of Special Leave with Pay"? And if the day of the positive diagnosis is "Day Zero", surely today, Monday, is Day 1? Actually, I think Scenario 5 answers this (but I'm open to correction): "Scenario 5 On 5th February 2022, employee tested positive for COVID-19 but it was not recorded on the OLCS/ETB system until 7th February or after. The maximum Special Leave With Pay entitlement for this employee is 28 consecutive days, in line with paragraph 2.4 of Circular 0042/2021. Subject to specific criteria, there is extended entitlement to Special Leave with Pay beyond 28 days in line with paragraph 2.5 of Circular 0042/2021."

Would this imply if one got a Covid 19 diagnosis yesterday, Sunday, that they can get 28 days paid leave even if it's only entered into the system by the school today, your first day off work?

As for evidence, it seems " COVID-19: Special Leave With Pay: Employee aged 39 years or under - Evidence of positive COVID-19 antigen test result (including test date) provided (HSE confirmation of employee’s record on HSE portal is acceptable)". That's the answer I needed. However, out of interest why do they have it divided into employees under 39, and employees over 40?

byhookorbycrook

Important to know that weekend days and midterms/holidays/ are also counted as work days, for the purpose of sick leave, for those who might not know.

rainbowtrout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597218#Comment_118597218

Yes, that's my reading of it too.

In the same sense that if you broke your leg on Sunday, and were given a cert for 6 weeks, it might be dated from the Sunday and subsequent weekends would be included in your sick leave.

I would imagine also it had to be included as a specific scenario because there will be teachers who tested positive over the weekend, notified their schools that they wouldn't be in on Monday and if some of them end up out sick for longer than 10 days, it would be in their interests for it to count as Covid leave rather than sick leave.

A date has to be set from the new regulations so there has to be a cut off somewhere.

Penfailed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118166199#Comment_118166199

Third post on the thread. As predicted, schools didn't closed.