Health & Wellbeing
Working with Shingles: An Employers’ Guide
When an employee has shingles, employers need to balance two things: protecting colleagues who could be at risk of infection, and supporting the person who is unwell. Shingles can be very painful, and recovery doesn’t always follow a neat timetable.
This guide explains what shingles is, when staff should stay off work, how to manage infection risks and sick pay, and how to plan a safe, supportive return.
What is shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in their nerves and can reactivate years later as shingles.
Common symptoms include:
A tingling or burning feeling on one area of skin, often before the rash appears
A painful rash, usually on one side of the body, which turns into blisters
Blisters that dry out and scab over
Feeling generally unwell, with a headache or high temperature
The rash can take up to 4 weeks to heal. Some people, especially older adults, have nerve pain that lasts for weeks or months after the rash has gone. This is known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Why shingles matters for employers
Shingles affects the workplace in two main ways.
Infection risk: shingles itself can’t be passed on. But someone who has never had chickenpox, or the chickenpox vaccine, can catch chickenpox from direct contact with fluid from the blisters. This is a particular concern for pregnant colleagues, people with weakened immune systems and very young babies.
Duty of care and absence: pain, fatigue and poor sleep can affect someone’s ability to work. Employers need fair sickness processes and sensible adjustments to support recovery.
Early treatment helps. Antiviral medicine works best when it’s started within 3 days of the rash appearing, so encouraging staff to get advice quickly can shorten their recovery.
What causes shingles?
Shingles happens when the chickenpox virus reactivates. This can occur decades after the original infection. The risk increases with:
Age: shingles is most common in older adults. Public health data estimates around 790 to 880 cases per 100,000 people aged 70 to 79 each year in England and Wales.
A weakened immune system: for example, because of chemotherapy, HIV or high-dose steroids.
Some research also suggests that stress may act as a trigger, which is another reason to take workplace stress seriously.
Related article: How to Reduce Work-Related Stress: 6 Ways to Support Staff
Give your staff the support they need with an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Is shingles contagious in the workplace?
The virus spreads through direct contact with fluid from the blisters. A person with shingles can pass on chickenpox while the rash is oozing fluid, until all the blisters have dried and scabbed over. This usually takes around a week, but it can take longer.
Covering the rash greatly reduces the risk. But in workplaces where staff have contact with vulnerable people, covering the rash may not be enough on its own.
The people most at risk are:
Pregnant people who haven’t had chickenpox
People with a weakened immune system, such as those having chemotherapy
Babies under 1 month old
Should an employee with shingles come to work?
It depends on their role, their symptoms and whether the rash can be covered.
Healthcare, care and other high-risk settings: staff who work with vulnerable people, pregnant people or young babies should stay off until all the blisters have scabbed over.
Lower-risk settings: an employee may be able to work if they feel well enough, the rash is completely covered, and they avoid contact with vulnerable colleagues.
Anyone who feels unwell: employees with a high temperature or who feel generally unwell should stay at home.
The NHS advises people to stay off work while the rash is still oozing fluid and can’t be covered.
Fit notes and self-certification
Employees can self-certify for the first 7 calendar days of sickness.
From day 8, they need a fit note. Fit notes can be issued by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
If the fit note says the employee “may be fit for work”, talk to them about adjustments. If you can’t make the adjustments suggested, treat the fit note as if it says “not fit for work”.
Record your decisions and agree a date to review them.
Sick pay
From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is payable from the first day of sickness absence, rather than after three waiting days. The lower earnings limit has also been removed, so more employees now qualify. SSP is paid at £123.25 a week or 80% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Check your own sick pay policy too, as many employers pay more than the statutory minimum.
Advice to give employees
Share these points with any employee who thinks they might have shingles:
Get advice quickly. In England, adults aged 18 and over can get advice and treatment for shingles from a pharmacy through Pharmacy First, without seeing a GP. Antiviral medicine works best if it’s started within 3 days of the rash appearing.
Get urgent help for eye symptoms. A rash on or near the eye or nose, or any change in vision, needs an urgent GP appointment or a call to NHS 111.
Stay at home if you feel unwell or have a high temperature.
Keep the rash covered and wash your hands regularly.
Avoid contact with pregnant people, people with a weakened immune system and babies under 1 month old until the blisters have scabbed over.
Talk to your manager about any adjustments you might need.
How long should someone stay off work with shingles?
There’s no fixed time off for shingles. It depends on the person’s role, their symptoms and whether the rash can be covered.
Infectious period: usually around a week from when the rash appears, until all the blisters have scabbed over
Rash: usually heals within 2 to 4 weeks
High-risk roles: staff should stay off until all the blisters have scabbed over
Ongoing pain or fatigue: some people need longer to recover, especially if they develop nerve pain or eye complications. Follow clinical advice in these cases
Managing shingles in the workplace
Infection control
Carry out a risk assessment as soon as you know about a case. Consider the employee’s role, their contact with vulnerable people and whether the rash can be covered.
In lower-risk cases, consider remote working or limited on-site work.
Encourage good hand hygiene and standard infection control.
If a vulnerable colleague has been exposed, they should get clinical advice urgently. Some people may be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Read the HSE guidance on infections at work for more information.
Confidentiality and record keeping
Keep a record of risk assessments, adjustments, absence dates and review points.
Treat health information confidentially and share it only on a need-to-know basis.
If colleagues need to be told about a possible exposure, don’t name the employee unless they’ve agreed.
Give staff a confidential way to raise concerns.
Reasonable adjustments and short-term support
Temporary adjustments can help an employee return sooner and more comfortably. These might include:
Working from home
Alternative or lighter duties
Flexible hours to manage pain, fatigue or medical appointments
More frequent breaks
Agree a review date for any adjustments. Stay in touch during absence, and hold a return-to-work meeting when the employee is ready to come back.
Phased return to work
If the rash can’t be covered, or the role involves contact with vulnerable people, the employee should stay off site until all the blisters have scabbed over.
Plan a gradual return if pain or tiredness continues, with time-limited adjustments.
If recovery takes longer than expected, an occupational health referral can help you understand what support the employee needs.
How much does an EAP cost? Get an instant quote online now
Vaccination and prevention
The NHS offers the non-live Shingrix vaccine (two doses) to people when they turn 65 or 70, and to anyone aged 70 to 79 who hasn’t yet had it. It’s also offered to severely immunosuppressed adults from the age of 18, with no upper age limit. Employees can check their eligibility with their GP or on the NHS website.
Employers don’t need a vaccination policy for shingles. But sharing NHS information on who is eligible can help older employees and those with weakened immune systems protect themselves.
Wider impacts on wellbeing
Shingles pain, fatigue and poor sleep can affect concentration and mood. Some employees feel pressure to come to work before they’re ready, which can slow their recovery. Regular check-ins and clear messages that it’s fine to take the time they need can help.
How an EAP supports employees with shingles
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) gives employees and managers practical support when someone is unwell. With Wisdom Wellbeing’s clinically governed EAP, you can access:
A 24/7 confidential helpline for emotional and practical support during recovery
Counselling for employees coping with long-term pain, low mood or stress
Expert HR and management support to help managers handle absence, fit notes and adjustments fairly
Virtual GP in association with Kry, available with our Wisdom Super Care EAP package, for quick access to medical advice
Occupational health assessments to support a safe return after a longer absence
Find out more about our Employee Assistance Programme or get a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is shingles contagious at work?
You can’t catch shingles from someone, but a person who hasn’t had chickenpox can catch chickenpox from fluid in the blisters. The risk lasts until all the blisters have scabbed over, which usually takes around a week. Covering the rash greatly reduces the risk.
How long should someone with shingles stay off work?
It depends on their role and symptoms. Staff who work with vulnerable people, pregnant people or young babies should stay off until all the blisters have scabbed over. Others may be able to work if they feel well and the rash is fully covered.
Can an employee with shingles work from home?
Yes, if they feel well enough. Working from home can be a useful temporary adjustment, especially if their fit note says they may be fit for work with adjustments.
Does an employee need a fit note for shingles?
Employees can self-certify for the first 7 calendar days of sickness. If they’re off for longer, they need a fit note from day 8.
Is shingles covered by Statutory Sick Pay?
Yes. From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is payable from the first day of sickness absence, at £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
What should we do if a pregnant colleague has been exposed?
Encourage them to contact their GP or midwife promptly, as they may need treatment to prevent infection. Keep the health information of the employee with shingles confidential.
Is there a vaccine for shingles?
Yes. The NHS offers the Shingrix vaccine to people when they turn 65 or 70, to anyone aged 70 to 79 who hasn’t yet had it, and to severely immunosuppressed adults from the age of 18. Employees can check their eligibility with their GP or on the NHS website.
Sources
UK Health Security Agency, Shingles: the green book, chapter 28a
UK Health Security Agency, Guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis for varicella or shingles
Wisdom Wellbeing
Wisdom Wellbeing provides clinically led Employee Assistance Programmes to organisations across the UK and Ireland. Specialising in mental health and wellbeing, we publish practical guidance for employees, employers and business owners, including articles written by our counsellors to offer expertise from a clinical perspective. We also write for students at college and university who want to improve and maintain their mental wellbeing.
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