Piers Morgan can feck off.

[Justginnoschweppes]

I’m sick of him spouting off about people going in to work. He is a multimillionaire who’s going in to work to still get paid.

He’s asking to name and shame employers that are trying to keep afloat.

My facebook is full of reposts with people clapping and cheering him on. Even my family members.

We just can’t close everything down for three or more weeks. This could last months. No one will have any jobs to go to, people will lose loved ones - which they are going to - and then lose their jobs, houses get in to debt. We’re heading in a massive financial crises. People need to be worried about their health but also would about their financial situation after too.

I’ve seen three posts this morning on my face book about greedy employers, forcing them in to work - one of which works in a care home.

I’m not a greedy employer. But I can see that if I close my doors for three weeks maybe be more- we might not reopen again. 19 staff will be out of work going on UC. Staff are all made up of families, some with babies on the way. We’ve had quite good support from our staff, thankfully!

Most Employers don’t have millions in the bank to be able to afford weeks after weeks of shut down. If we close - you suffer too.

If you can go to work - go in as there might be a very good chance of you standing in the unemployment queue before the year is out

Don’t agree- it’s not really worth risking health and not worth spreading the virus to more folk

It's a question of what is more value - economy/employment vs life/not killing people

@Justginnoschweppes in the same boat. Manufacturing company, factory based no can't work from home and our customers are all still open, ordering and using our products. Our factory and workforce (17 of us) are low risk - plenty of space to work and maintain distancing, no air conditioning, overall excellent health (less than 1% sick leave in each of the last 10 years and we pay generous sick pay so no one feels they have to come in if sick), plus they all walk/cycle or drive their own car to work. No public facing roles.

If we don't supply then our customers will go elsewhere and we have worked too hard over the past 10 shitty years to win them to risk that. Our staff have been consulted and agree with carrying on until ordered otherwise.

And I don't believe that the Government will pay 80% of ALL workers wages either - there is a clause where they can reject the application and I would bet my bottom dollar that our firm would be one of those rejected.

*economy/employment vs life/not killing people

I think we’re screwed either way. The resulting economy will lead to suicide, poverty, and drastically affect women and children.

Blobby I wasn’t aware of the clause. I’ll speak to our accountant later. I just think that it’s a bit dubious that they will pay it because it’s a lot of money. Money the country never had so where are they going to get it from. Also the bank loan we can apply for - how weak will that make the banks and how many will get it.

Worrying times but I’m glad your staff are supportive. We will all still need to eat at the end of this.

Why will your 19 staff be going on to UC? The govt will underwrite 80% of their wages.

I agree iris

So you’d rather put lives at risk that even find out whether the staff you claim to care so much about will be entitled to have their wages paid?

Thank fuck for Piers Morgan. Shame on you.

Yes but what if one of your staff gets Coronavirus that is spread via individuals at your company and dies? Would you not feel responsible? What if an individual with a baby on the way continues to work and then dies, who will be providing for the child for the next 18 years?
I think the government need to instruct a full lockdown, and agree to pay all wages for at least the next month and then see where we are.

I'm not saying it'll be over in a month but I think the harshest lockdown should be implemented and then restrictions lifted as we see what's happening, rather than soft soft, an extra restriction here and there.

Isn't he mainly complaining about the mixed messages? The govt does seem unclear on lots of things, Gove doing an about turn about children seeing both parents if they aren't together for example, only go to work if it is essential go to work if you can't work at home. I think they need to make their minds up.

I have to say I am getting a bit sick of sanctimonious shite about 'staying the fuck home' from people for whom it is incredibly easy to stay at home, because they don't work, or they can easily work from home, or they aren't on a zero hours contract and are still being paid whilst at home or whatever.

I know we need to stay at home as much as we can, and I know there are total picks out there who think the rules don't apply to them. But at the other end of the spectrum Piers Morgan and his ilk also don't know what it is like for the majority of people in the country who don't earn thousands a month sitting in a TV studio and mansplaining to the nation.

I agree with him. It is unfair to risk everyone's health by continuing to work unless you are an essential service.

Staff are all made up of families, some with babies on the way.. And apparently you're fine with potentially passing it on to pregnant women.

When will the penny drop for some people?

forza rather than getting in to a froth about stuff you know nothing about why don’t you look in to it yourself?

We can’t even apply yet. Our accountant says we qualify and will process the paper work. You know nothing about me or our staff and can see your part of the problem of thinking everyone will be showered with money for the foreseeable future. We won’t.

BiggerBoat1- good points

Justgoin- it’s still not worth risking everyone’s health though

OP point taken about that smug fool Piers Morgan.

But you cant work if you're dead. You can't spend money after you're dead. It really could come to that, does this not come to your mind? & there is government help you and to pay staff wages have you not looked into this yet?

We are living in unprecedented times and it's not worth pretending life is normal right now. I'm not in Covid panic mode - I refuse to be - but I'm on a casual contract, offices closed so I'm at home. That's it.

A tiny percentage of people will die - not everyone. The huge majority will have mild symptoms. Those who are in the at risk factor should be self isolating anyway.

I agree OP.

The ‘cure’ is going to be worse than the illness at this rate.

I’m fed up of sanctimonious aggressive posts which don’t take into account that many people will literally starve and lose their homes if they have no money coming in.

Saying that, I see the need for those of us to stay at home if we possibly can - I’m pretty much self isolating except for the occasional dash to the local shop. But I’m lucky I can do that. People have sacrificed their lives to build up businesses and provide employment, it’s very difficult for them.

People in need are struggling to access the Universal Credit site so what are they meant to do?

I hate threads like this as well. It is so sanctimonious.

Notice people never offer their experience of choosing to walk out of a job for self-isolation. But are very quick to admonish those who don't.

This shitty capitalist system and the thread-bare benefits system has meant that people have to choose between personal/family poverty or maybe saving the lives of people they will never know. It is an impossible choice to make.

Instead of having a go, why not donate your savings or salary to someone who is in the job or stay-at-home rock/hard place position?

If your small business is run from premises to which the public have no access, and if your staff are genuinely happy to continue working, whilst taking sensible precautions with each other, then I too would want to stay open providing a livelihood for everyone.

Look at Supermarkets. Their staff are expected to come into work, minimal PPE, and plenty of interaction with the public in general.

He's a cynical hypocrite. Borderline evil.

Instead of having a go, why not donate your savings or salary to someone who is in the job or stay-at-home rock/hard place position?

Do you not think employers do that anyway? When you start up it can be 12 - 18 months or more before you can take a wage. When times are slow employers will often make sure their employers get paid before they do.

Kontikki our office isn’t customer facing. And we’ve opened up the empty rooms so staff can spread out. Our HR has been through risk assessment with them. If any needs to self isolate they can. Thanks for your sensible support.

People who spouted everything has to be closed to save lives are just dumb. Im absolutely upser thay DS has to go to work because if he doesnt, there is a high chance some of the food you are buying won't be there in the supermarket. Still think everyone needs to stay home?