What are your rights if you test positive for COVID at work?

Although there was a significant drop from February to March, COVID-19 case numbers have begun to rise again. And as more and more people test positive, the number of healthcare workers infected or furloughed due to exposure has correspondingly begun to rise.

While VAHPA strongly hope you are not one of the unlucky number, if you do find yourself testing positive, remember there are multiple avenues of support you are eligible to receive.

There are government supports in place for COVID-positive healthcare workers.

Public sector healthcare employees are also eligible for 7 days of paid Special Leave per occasion. While this is currently capped at 7 days and then you need to access your personal leave beyond that, the union is lobbying to have the 7-day cap expanded, especially for multiple events, such as being a primary carer, a household contact or actually becoming infected yourself (all of which can happen concurrently or consecutively).

All members should be aware of their right to lodge a Workcover claim if they test positive to COVID due to being exposed at work. Healthcare workers are identified by WorkSafe Victoria as a high-risk industry for COVID exposure and your claim should be favourably received. Despite well over 8,000 healthcare workers having been infected so far, with the majority almost certainly occurring at work at least until the Omicron wave, less than 1,000 healthcare workers have lodged Workcover claims. However, nearly all of those claims have been accepted.

While it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify the source of any infection, simply working in health puts you at a higher risk of exposure and infection, and therefore claims for HCWs are still mostly being accepted.

To make a WorkCover claim, you need verification of your positive PCR or Rapid Antigen Test that has been registered with Department of Health. Your GP can assist you, or you can contact VAHPA if you need help with your claim.

Remember, the health effects of Covid could potentially impact your ability to return to work at your pre-illness level for some time. Workcover is supporting some healthcare workers who are suffering long COVID, some of whom have been impacted for over 12 months.

If you don’t think your level of PPE is adequate, you can request more from your workplace and contact VAHPA for assistance. We are constantly lobbying the government and employers to try to improve protections for Allied Health Professionals in this ongoing crisis.

We urge you to be safe, and remember that workload pressures or duties do not trump your right to a physically and mentally safe workplace.