Employer tested positive

[Anonymous]

Looking for advice. My employer tested positive for Covid almost a month ago. She immediately took a second test and that one came back negative. She assured me that her doctor was confident it wasn’t covid and the second test was the more accurate test. She took another test for work last week and that test came back positive.

Her doctor now thinks she had covid weeks ago and is clear but testing positive. Both kids tested negative, but they only had the rapid tests. I was told that it was my choice if I wanted to continue working, but I would not be paid if l wanted to quarantine until she tested negative. My concern is what if she’s newly positive. She is not as strict as I am about social distancing.

My husband and father are high risk so I’m really worried about exposure, but it would be a hardship to go without a paycheck.

Can MB’s please offer some input on what you think is fair and how you would handle this situation if it were your nanny? I’ve been with them for almost 10 years and besides this year, have taken six days of sick leave.

Am I out of line in thinking I should be paid until she tests negative?

Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

False positives don't happen. Sounds like the second test was a false negative. She had covid one month ago, so you are likely in the clear now. Was she ever symptomatic?

[Anonymous]

And I think she should pay you to quarantine if SHE has covid.

[Anonymous]

You’ve worked for them for 10 years and she telling you you will not be paid if you quarantine for 10-14 because she tested positive? That is not ok. She should absolutely pay you, self quarantine and then get tested again.

What would happen if the roles were reversed? Would she expect you to continue working if you were positive? If not, would that be time off unpaid? COVID is very much so still alive and it will be months until a vaccine is available and that still doesn’t prevent you from getting it. With that said, you all should have a conversation about COVID moving forward.

[Anonymous]

She should absolutely pay you until she tests negative, do you have a contract with them? anything in writing? I have heard that rapid tests are not fully accurate and should be followed up with a lab test that gets sent out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:False positives don't happen. Sounds like the second test was a false negative. She had covid one month ago, so you are likely in the clear now. Was she ever symptomatic?

It’s been reported that false positives do happen with the rapid test as they aren’t as reliable.

Yes, she was sick several weeks ago. I didn’t know until I was already there and she swore it was just a cold. Obviously there is no way of telling if anything in just a cold right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’ve worked for them for 10 years and she telling you you will not be paid if you quarantine for 10-14 because she tested positive? That is not ok. She should absolutely pay you, self quarantine and then get tested again.

What would happen if the roles were reversed? Would she expect you to continue working if you were positive? If not, would that be time off unpaid? COVID is very much so still alive and it will be months until a vaccine is available and that still doesn’t prevent you from getting it. With that said, you all should have a conversation about COVID moving forward. [/quote

I was briefly exposed a few months ago to someone that was being tested for Covid. Out of an abundance of caution and knowing that her elderly parents were visiting, I let her know so she could make that decision. She told me to stay home and I had to use my vacation time to cover it.

I agree and asked to speak several times to update our contract to avoid situations like the one I’m in now. That discussion never happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:False positives don't happen. Sounds like the second test was a false negative. She had covid one month ago, so you are likely in the clear now. Was she ever symptomatic?

That is innacurate. False positives happen with the rapid tests.

[Anonymous]

I would send you home to quarantine for two weeks and I'd pay for you for that time. I would not let you be around me if I had the virus. So I'd pay you to stay away.

[Anonymous]

OP have you been tested? If not get one as soon as possible. You've already been exposed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’ve worked for them for 10 years and she telling you you will not be paid if you quarantine for 10-14 because she tested positive? That is not ok. She should absolutely pay you, self quarantine and then get tested again.

What would happen if the roles were reversed? Would she expect you to continue working if you were positive? If not, would that be time off unpaid? COVID is very much so still alive and it will be months until a vaccine is available and that still doesn’t prevent you from getting it. With that said, you all should have a conversation about COVID moving forward. [/quote

I was briefly exposed a few months ago to someone that was being tested for Covid. Out of an abundance of caution and knowing that her elderly parents were visiting, I let her know so she could make that decision. She told me to stay home and I had to use my vacation time to cover it.

I agree and asked to speak several times to update our contract to avoid situations like the one I’m in now. That discussion never happened.

I think in this case specifically, the MB should pay for her nanny to quarantine because she is the one that has COVID— she’s the reason nanny has been exposed.

[Anonymous]

FFCRA requires the nanny to be paid her regular salary for up to two weeks of paid sick leave for exactly this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:False positives don't happen. Sounds like the second test was a false negative. She had covid one month ago, so you are likely in the clear now. Was she ever symptomatic?

Bull. They certainly do. Gov. Of Ohio tested false positive and then had two negatives. Stop spreading lies.

[Anonymous]

Some people test positive for months. You can't expect to be paid for months. 10-14 days since the most recent positive test is reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FFCRA requires the nanny to be paid her regular salary for up to two weeks of paid sick leave for exactly this situation.

Thank you.