Key worker status

[JoPaV]

In Wales HE lecturers are very explicitly on the critical workers list: gov.wales/coronavirus-critical-key-workers-test-eligibility. The list in England looks to be the same but with less detail: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.

Any clue whether we are classed as key workers. Need to tell the school by 9:30!

[MarieG10]

The school should have emailed you the link as they are now classed as critical workers as opposed to key workers. This is the link for England.

Be aware that if there are two of you, both parents should be classed as critical workers before accessing these provisions. Our school is being sensible though and listening to individual circumstances which is good

[MarieG10]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

[PlumbNormal]

Surely you're classed under "specialist education professionals who must remain active during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response to deliver this approach"

[QueenoftheAir]

We've been told we are key workers for this purpose at my place.

[ghislaine]

I raised this with my institution's HR back in March and their response was no - this only covers people doing clinical work and the like.

I would love to be included as a critical worker as per the Welsh government's approach. My youngest is turning feral again already.

[ghislaine]

Adding the UCL guidance to its staff on whether they are keyworkers which I think my place also follows:

Staff responsible for research and other activities to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and for other essential research and supporting activity necessary to meet regulatory, legal, health and safety or other on-going requirements. This includes long-running research which cannot tolerate a break, staff looking after live animals, plants, bacterial cultures or hazardous materials; and technicians for essential maintenance of equipment and facilities.

Staff responsible for providing services for students who need to remain in student accommodation (including those who are isolating after contracting COVID-19), including catering staff, cleaners, wardens, mental health support, IT and security staff.

Staff critical to the safety and security of the university estate and business-critical operations.

It does seem illogical though to say that someone teaching a Y13 student is a key worker but a person teaching a first year undergrad is not.

[JoPaV]

Thanks for the replies. I see from Twitter that Nottingham (not where I am) has said staff are critical workers. twitter.com/tanvir_h/status/1346414383270920193. So annoying that the Welsh guidance is v. clearer whereas the English guidance is v. vague.

[alliejay81]

Only one parent needs to be a critical worker. PP suggested both needed to be, this is from gov.uk.

"Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required."

[MarieG10]

@alliejay81

You are correct that the guidance only says one but our school stance is both parents need to be unless a single parent. This came about because a very high % were classed as critical workers so wanted to send in children when the other partner was actually a sahm !

The heads view it is guidance.

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

I'm in England & a teaching fellow, not research based at all. My kids school have accepted I'm a key worker and are taking my daughter as of tomorrow. Eek!

[QueenoftheAir]

as critical workers so wanted to send in children when the other partner was actually a sahm

That's taking the mick.

[GCAcademic]

My university (England) has told us HE staff now count as critical workers.

[Silversun83]

Have also been told today that all university staff are considered to be critical workers.

[ghislaine]

UCU’s twitter account says they’re seeking clarification from the DfE. I wonder what has spurred the change?

[metoothree]

I'm UKRI funded, research only, and don't think I'm officially staff, so doubt I can be considered a key worker - or can I?!? Also been told I'm not eligible for furlough or any kind of suspension, although I have two young children, husband stuck abroad with no visa (corona delays) and no other childcare options.

[Poppingnostopping]

We have been told today we do count as essential workers and that the uni/dept' will write a letter confirming this to any school. I'm not sending mine in anyway as they are older teens and they don't want to sit in school doing exactly the same as at home, but for younger children, I'd be jumping at the chance.

[ghislaine]

Oh! Are they saying this on official advice or is it just something they're prepared to say on your behalf? desperately crosses fingers and toes

[Poppingnostopping]

I don't know that, sorry!

[Silversun83]

@ghislaine

Oh! Are they saying this on official advice or is it just something they're prepared to say on your behalf? desperately crosses fingers and toes

We were told that the uni has been informed by the DfE.

[ghislaine]

That is very interesting, not to mention frustrating! I've just been on our institution's HR pages to get the details for claiming tax relief against expenses for working from home, and I see they have updated their critical worker info to say you only qualify if your line manager requires you to come onto campus.

[Flowers2020bloom]

Just out of interest are there many HE staff active in the campaign to move HE provision online now taking up key worker places at primary / secondary schools! Please say no.

[purplepandas]

On this note, has anyone else had massive pressure from their uni to apply for keyworker place? I have and now there are no places (school said yesterday that you needed to be working out of the house). They have had to rightly prioritise key workers who are working out of the house and are full. I more than understand and don't feel happy about the DC being in anyway.

However, the pressure from school (what is required school work wise, 9 yr old just won't do it alone) and work (HE pressure and pressure to put in school regardless) is immense. I have spent most of today just crying as I feel so low. I am considering signing myself off which I really don't want to do as this just adds pressure to others. I can't take any more pressure though. I can't sleep, struggling to concentrate and just feel like shit.

Sorry, that's a massive pity party when it was not meant to be. I literally cannot do right for doing wrong atm it feels.

[ghislaine]

Do you have any idea what it is like to try to deliver live online teaching on technical and conceptually difficult subjects when you are being interrupted by small children (sometimes naked, or crying, or both)? Or homeschool them effectively while preparing and delivering said teaching, marking, providing supervision sessions for PhD students, consoling students with mental health problems etc? No-one wins.

I would love to teach in person but that has not been allowed at my institution since March last year. I have not been involved in any campaigns though, I see these as largely ineffective and a waste of my time. Institutional management won't listen to staff and and any movements they make that are in line with union/staff demands are co-incidental or driven by government directives.

[titchy]

@metoothree

I'm UKRI funded, research only, and don't think I'm officially staff, so doubt I can be considered a key worker - or can I?!? Also been told I'm not eligible for furlough or any kind of suspension, although I have two young children, husband stuck abroad with no visa (corona delays) and no other childcare options.

You should be treated as an employee.

[Flowers2020bloom]

@ghislaine as long as you haven't been campaigning for online HE provision you're off the hook in my eyes!

Not that I'm against the campaign itself, more hoping that there aren't people out there that don't want it for themselves but would let primary and secondary teachers go ahead with it.

There is no doubt that it's an impossible situation for so many of us with multiple priorities and challenges. Let's hope it's not for too long