'I'm a key worker' is the most overused phrase atm

[Imakeyworker]

Like a badge of honour. I heard one woman say it to 3 different people in a shop yesterday.

Technically I am a key worker.

Should I be letting everyone know about it?

[Supermarketworker06]

I left the civil service some years ago and got a little job in a supermarket- part time, lovely hours, no stress.
Now I'm classed as a key worker, still the same hours but bugger me, stress levels are remarkably different!
The only time I'd use my "key worker status" is when Reeves the Baker opens this week, their first hour is oap and key workers only, omg their cheese and bacon wraps! Mind you, I don't get up early enough for their first hour of trading and I can't be bothered that much!

[CountryCasual]

I’m fed up of hearing ‘I’m a key worker’ and I do wonder whether it’s just me or if anyone else has noticed that it’s pretty much exclusively those is unskilled roles who keep slapping it in everyone’s faces.

I know an intensive care Dr and a nurse (who currently has CV) and neither have called them self ‘key workers’ once. However, the delivery driver and shelf stackers I know can’t seem to get through a day without posting some reference to their ‘key worker’ status on social media.

It’s amazing that you’re willing to go out every day and risk your health and the country has demonstrated their gratitude but superman didn’t rock around in his costume constantly telling everyone how super he was and undermining those who weren’t super too!

[TabbyMumz]

"Funny how important those boring low paid jobs have suddenly become to the nation, isn't it?"
Become to the nation? Do you mean become important to the nation? Nah, dont think so. They are doing their job because they get paid and they cant work from home.

[FrankiesKnuckle]

Keyworker top trumps.

It's actually real.


FWIW, I'm a keyworker. I'm a paramedic. I mostly queue like everyone else. Occasionally I use my ID card if I really need to.
Will probably get some sort of badge out of this whole business.
Would rather have the assurance that we can retire after 30 years and/or at 60 and not be financially penalized.

[Mcvitoes]

But look at us. Still the old 'divide and conquer' strategy from those in power.

Of course. The likes of Matt Hancock don't care one bit about frontline workers. He was rude and patronising to a doctor who questioned him. They all clapped to deny pay rises to the people they're clapping to 'show respect' for and they want everyone who isn't a doctor or nurse, but is doing something to help the effort, to clamour for attention too.

[MadameMeursault]

I was told I was a key worker because of my job in pensions. I would have been embarrassed to say it because I think it detracts from proper key workers like the NHS. However I’ve now been furloughed so I can’t have been all that key!

[PlasticFlowers]

Those FB overlays are fucking pathetic.

My boss has one. She had a holiday booked to Italy just before all the flights were cancelled, went anyway as she has no insurance 🙄 and then came back a day later and had to “self isolate” for 2 weeks, she has basically spend the last three months working from her bedroom sending us all out here there and everywhere but has “I can’t stay home I am a key worker” overlay on her FB picture (I stalked her we are not friends).

And she continually drops into every fucking conference call how she is “volunteering” doing her neighbourhoods shopping and delivering cream teas she is absolutely full of bullshit and I have completely lost respect for her.

[Whatsername177]

@TabbyMumz I'm a teacher. But only going in to look after kids on a rota - so whilst it is essential I do my bit, currently 'my bit' means going in once every two weeks. This is because there are only a few kids and lots of staff. DH is self employed so he looks after the kids, otherwise they'd be entitled to go to school. I don't feel very 'key's to be honest. I have worked my butt off to ensure that my pupils will get the best possible catch up education though. The one good thing is the that I have spent hours improving, tweaking and updating schemes of work - which I never normally find time to do!

[TabbyMumz]

"And by the way, you don't need to prove that you're a keyworker to be entitled to go to work! Where do these fictional rules come from?"
I agree. Anyone can go to work, if they cant work from home. Anybody.

[VerticalHorizon]

They've always been important to the nation, but supply and demand has also meant they've been relatively low paid.

And yes, we all work for money, but when someone is wiping the arse of a patient who cant do it for themselves, it isnt always just about the money.

[Greenlorry]

It depends what job you do. I think it’s probably because a lot of people have had to adjust to slightly different roles.
You can’t blame them. If you furloughed at home it’s not to say you aren’t doing a good job, but it’s not looking after the sick COVID patients and risking your life also passing it onto your own kids. Then all everyone speaks about is COVID so you can understand tbh!

[eitak22]

I'm technically a key worker and have a letter to prove it but i'm in work at most once a week as im on a rota. I haven't uttered that phrase since this situation and feel weird writing it down! I certainly wouldn't use my badge to get to the front of a queue like previous posters have experienced.

[Lampan]

You can only go to work if your workplace is actually open, though. A lot of furloughed people don’t have the choice!

[Jenasaurus]

maybe there should be 2 categories, key worker and frontline worker

[VerticalHorizon]

One teacher might not be working much, but some in deprived areas with complex needs might be working significantly more, so it's a case by case basis.
Plenty of teachers know problematic families and worry for the kids (and sometimes parents) too, as they often act as unofficial counsellors, mediators, and mentors. 'Teachers' is such a large group of varied roles.

[Jenasaurus]

Those that are putting themselves more at risk (confirmed contact with patients) on a regular basis compared to those that provide essential services, still valuable but less at risk as going to work but not with known cases... I am neither by the way

[TabbyMumz]

"maybe there should be 2 categories, key worker and frontline worker"
It will soon be irrelevant, as the weeks and months go on, lots more people will start to go back to work.

[DanielRicciardosSmile]

I dislike the whole "I'm a key worker" thing, especially to jump queues etc, but the snobbery of some posters in this thread is appalling.

[VerticalHorizon]

To be blunt, being key isnt about how at risk you are, it is about the risk you pose to the health, safety or long term stability of the nation if you cant do your job.

[Standrewsschool]

I’m technically a key worker. Only time I used it was to get my nhs discount in morrisons.

[Hoothoothoot]

So fed up of hearing this...
work in customer service, currently taking calls and answering online messages from home.

“My product was due 1-5th May. It’s the 3rd today and it’s not arrived. Not happy as I’m a key worker and not at home all the time”
“Ordered this item and it says there is a 2wk delivery estimate. Not being funny but I need this sooner that that so can you prioritise my order as I’m a key worker”
“I’m a key worker can you discount the item”

We do not sell essential items or food.

[LesleysChestnutBob]

Seen a lot of it on Facebook too but I have also seen key workers claim that they're all just as important as the Dr's and nurses.

Sorry but no. If you work in a supermarket and become ill you are easily replaced. Can't replace a front line doctor as easily. Not to say these people aren't valuable but some of the staff managing the queues at my local tesco have definitely let the power go to their heads.

[BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup]

@CountryCasual intensive care doctors and nurses get respect in normal times by the vast majority of the public. Delivery drivers, cleaners, supermarket workers, sewage workers, etc don't.

Well I actually respect the latter group only because I've explained to children that places don't clean themselves and how things like supply chains work.

[StampMc]

We say it dozens of times a day at work. Usually in a very pained voice.

• “are there any brownies left?”
  
• “no, I ate the last one”
  
• “But I’M A KEYWORKER” , alternatively “but I’m an #NHSHero”
  

In Morrisons they have it on all the signs where previously it would have said “assistant”. “Please wait here until the keyworker is available to serve you” type thing.

[Imakeyworker]

stamp

😂😇😂😇 !!!