Both parents key workers question

[EndlessUserName]

This has only just come up. But basically I am self employed in a small key worker business. Absolutely essential that I go to work every day. DP works part time in a key worker role in large organisation (not NHS). There are many people working there to enable a rota system. Here's the issue - we have a toddler, and no childcare for him as usually he would be looked after by grandad. I understand that this can't happen now due to lockdown? So who stays home? Would it be reasonable for DP to say that he has to stay home to look after child? Thanks

Is there any way to switch hours/shifts so one of you are home? So you do 4 longer days on the three days he is in (for example)

No can't do shifts. Is it true that grandad won't be allowed to come due to lockdown? I can't find anything to say either way

How old is Grandad? Could he join your household for the duration?

How old is grandad? And what have you been doing until now?

I suppose you are both going to have to flex to accommodate each other's work. Difficult to say as we don't know what it is you both do.

We are both key workers. I can work fully from home, DH mostly from home. We have between us agreed that his job is more important to the country and so whilst we're sharing childcare, when there's a clash I step in. I've been up front with my employer about it.

Is everyone in your DP's organisation a key worker? I've swapped some of my teams around so those with fewer calls on them at home have the more demanding key roles, and done rotas to ensure work is covered.

Both me and my husband are key workers. I’m in a hospital and husband is on community, both nhs.

Neither of us can change shifts at all (we are on a rota to cover the gaps which have already appeared due to illness).

I’ve been taking my DD to her grandparents. Both are under 60 and healthy and we have no choice unless one of us quit our jobs. Grandparents can’t live with us (severe cat allergy) and DD can’t live with them (they don’t have a spare room, bed etc).

Both DD and them have been isolated over 2 weeks, except from each other. I think it’s a better option than going to her nursery which has 26 kids in the one room as all key worker children at together

If the grandparents are reasonably fit and healthy then I think it’s fine to use the grandparents if there is literally no other childcare option and you’re both in keyworker roles. Many other Keyworkers will be taking their children to/ from other childcare options and dropping them off.

He is already part time, and there's a rota so the chance of him being asked in is surely really small.
You would be entitled to childcare if you are both in. I know my own teaching union has said that people who would require childcare in order to work should not volunteer for the rota.

Bojo specifically said do not leave children with grandparents

Bojo specifically said do not leave children with grandparents

But this does depend on gps age.

If you use a bit of common sense

I think it depends on gps age/health etc

That's interesting @Onceateacher dp job is very similar to teacher, is there a chance you can post the guidance please?

Yes so far as he's part time he hasn't been on the rota but he probably will be soon so that's why we need to find out

Grandad is fit and young enough. He can't come to live with us. Im not sure if he's legally allowed to come over to ours to look after my child or if that breaks the lockdown rules

Thanks for your help so far

You might want to bear in mind that death rate is more than 15 times higher for someone in their 50s compared to someone in their 30s.

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

That's very scary.

I still don't know if grandad is even allowed to come?

If so I think dp would be reasonable in asking to work from home as much as possible?

Hi OP, mine is specific to teachers and to the area I'm in (Scotland) so probably not relevant to your situation however I think the English teaching unions have a similar approach. If he works in a different role the advice will be different. All the state schools I've heard of, it is a case of volunteering not being automatically put on a rota.

I'm a teacher and our school has made a rota, not voluntary, but if you're in the at risk group then you don't need to go in. My dh still has to go in to work so when I'm on the rota he'll have to use annual leave to cover. School (secondary) have said I can take my 3 year old with me, but I don't want to!

We are both emergency services and DD will be with grandmother (in her 50s) or DH’s sister on occasion. We work shifts so school doesn’t cover the hours required (we haven’t sent her to school as have covered it amongst ourselves which actually involves less exposure).
There is no perfect answer and no one will know that grandad is doing this. There’s no secret police watching people. Obv if you can work alternate shifts or DH can work from home-great. For us it’s about minimising the risk. Unless you’re completely isolated the risk is never completely removed.

Thanks all. Grandad is worried he'll be fined if he helps out, that's our main concern. We live in a busy area so people may notice if he comes over and into our house etc.

If someone from outside your household needs to come into your household, that isn't ok is it? We are not supposed to have anyone visiting.
Your dp has a good case for not being on the rota

Yes that's my worry. There doesn't seem to be a clear answer. As a key worker he should work, but as far as grandad is concerned looking after kid doesn't meet any of the criteria for leaving the house. But then we are told to use common sense! I don't know.

Common sense would say he stays at home.
Unless your job isn't as essential as you've said. If it is, and since his can be covered on a rota, he stays at home and so does grandad.