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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - to not want to go to work

19 replies

Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 18:37

I work in a school as part of the staff but not a teacher. All staff at my school are required to go in next week and do our normal hours. The reason the school is open is for the pupils of keyworkers like NHS staff who we need - thankfully!
However, I really do not want to have to go in. Firstly I will not have anything to do as I would usually be in the science labs but I will not be allowed to due to health and safety. I cannot help with the lessons and I am still not allowed alone with pupils as I have not received all of my training yet. There are also only 40 pupils currently enrolled to come in next week and over 100 teachers and more staff on top of that to assist them.
My main issue is that I am a single parent with no help at all so my DD who is too young to stay at home is going to have to go into her school just so I can go into mine and do nothing - which seems silly that the staff at her school need to go in so I can go into mine. We will both be exposed to over 100 staff and pupils every day and are still are risk.
I would rather us isolate until I am needed at the school, my thinking is that if one person has the virus all the staff are exposed to it whereas if we did a rota then at least there would be staff on stand by. I have mentioned the rota idea but they said they hope to sort that out in a few weeks time! I am worried that if I do get ill there is no one else to look after my DD.
I know many nurses, doctors etc can't do social distancing/isolating so I know I'm not the only one but I am genuinely not needed there right now and feel that the whole reason for shutting the schools was to reduce the risk of spreading.
What would you do in this situation?

OP posts:
whitetoblerone · 20/03/2020 18:38

There shouldn't be that many staff in! Our staff are placed on a rota so that no more than 8 people are supervising the students at one time! What's the point in closing schools if there are still lots of people there?!

Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 18:57

Its crazy I would understand if it was needed to look after pupils but there's going to be at least double the amount of staff than pupils. I'm wondering if it's something to do with wages or something.

OP posts:
Chocolateandamaretto · 20/03/2020 19:02

I’m non teaching staff at a secondary school and I’m expected in next week, same sort of situation. I think the school are expecting to become a “hub” whereby other kids from smaller surrounding schools are sent to us as their staffing becomes untenable. Is that a possibility at your school op?

LandOfAThousandJumpers · 20/03/2020 19:06

Just call in sick OP. Would never say that under usual circumstances but you’ll be the least of their worries. Logic dictates that you should be at home but organisational measures are still catching up with what needs to happen. Put you and your daughter first and do what you need to do.

Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 19:10

@Chocolateandamaretto We are not expecting to have anyone from any other schools unless those schools have an outbreak and have to close then the pupils will come to ours. Which makes me wonder more why there is no rota in place.

OP posts:
Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 19:12

Thank you. I am tempted to call in sick which is why I wanted opinions from here because part of me feels selfish and unreasonable and I know Mumsnet readers will let me know if I am!

OP posts:
youvegottobekidding · 20/03/2020 19:14

I’m work PT in a school also, not as a teacher, support staff. We are ALL due in, as over 100 kids expected Monday. I have a 15 yr old & 10 yr old, that haven’t been left alone together yet for good reason! But they’ll have to be now as I’m still having to go to work.

Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 20:00

My DD is also 10 I am wondering which carries less risk - her going into her school or me leaving her at home alone, the only problem is my work is about 1 hour and a half drive away so it's not like I can nip back and check on her at lunchtime.

OP posts:
B0bbin · 20/03/2020 21:04

It's not selfish to say you or your daughter have a cough in this case. You say you won't be able to be productive, so freeing up your childcare provider makes sense in grand scheme. Or just go in monday and see what happens. There's a chance that on monday you'll be handed a rota/ timetable that makes far more sense, but at the moment it sounds like you shouldn't go in...

Rosebel · 20/03/2020 21:10

I would go in Monday because as PP said you might get a rota. If you don't phone up Tuesday and say you have started coughing.

functionoverform · 20/03/2020 21:14

That is madness. Our headteacher stated that there was no point teachers with children should be coming in next week, as their children would have to go into school and it seemed pointless.
Only staff with no children and those with teenagers have been allowed to volunteer.
So many have volunteered that we have to do half a day over 2 weeks. I'm really pleased that we have a sensible head, I know not all do!

Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 21:30

That sounds like a much more sensible thing to do! I wish your head would talk to mine lol.
I think I will do what the others have suggested - go in Monday and hope they will sort a rota out soon and if not call in sick, thank you!

OP posts:
Pushmepullyou · 20/03/2020 21:35

School leadership have had a really hard time of it today. The situation is changing very rapidly and they don’t have much information from the DoE or LAs at the moment. I think many are getting people in on Monday to make a plan and there will be Rotas in place some time next week.

grafittiartist · 20/03/2020 21:37

I think that you would be allowed to take your own child with you to your school.

AlaskaWaves · 20/03/2020 21:41

Our school have a voluntary rota system in place for next week - it was made clear that we need not volunteer if we have children or other family members to look after. Really easy to set up a google doc and plenty of people have signed up.

SoloMummy · 20/03/2020 21:44

I wouldn't normally say this, but maybe in the circumstances, you take her with you and leave her in the car with all she would need? Then go out in breaks etc?

Not ideal, but would reduce her contact risk and needing to be there all day.

Original poster
Poppi89 · 20/03/2020 22:03

That is a good idea as then she will be closer to me but not at risk but she will need to do 3 hours of schoolwork a day and in the car I doubt she would get internet. I could ask if she can come into work with me but I am not sure if they would allow this but I will definitely check. I am going to ask if they can set up a rota system seeing as most other schools have managed to do this already.

OP posts:
Dubdubdubtub · 20/03/2020 22:03

My husbands school are doing it on a rota system but if you having health issues, pregnant, have kids with heath issues or a partner at risk with health issues you are not expected to go in

katmandoo · 20/03/2020 22:31

Hopefully you will get a rota but any employer with employees who are going to be paid for the duration may have ideas of things which can be done on return or to invigorated the home schooling.
There may be processed and policies which need updating, I am not saying these won't quickly get done but you can at least be at home with a clear conscience. The idea to lie is the worst because it would only buy you 14 days.
I would ask if you could bring your child most people I know who are in school are doing this.

Good luck and thank you, my children fall into the children of key workers and the vulnerable, so will be in their schools which means I can get on with my job in health care. secure they are being looked after.

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