To feel that it's unfair that keyworkers cant be furloughed

[glitterwobbles]

Just want to rant mainly at the government. My husband and I are both keyworkers. I have currently moved out of home as have been exposed to covid 19 and didn't fancy taking it home to my family.
Because of this my husband has not been able to work and is on a zero hours contract so no work no pay.
Apparently key workers can not have furlough pay. All we are asking for is 3 weeks pay as I hope to go home at the weekend.
I know its pathetic but I feel let down by the rules. I have continued to work while many around me have gone off with stress. I have not had a day off sick since 2012. My husband is on a zero hours contract as the flexibility has allowed us to manage childcare needs.
I dont want a medal and realise life is hard for lots of us right now but feel financially punished for being keyworkers.

Furlough is a scheme to ensure that people are not made redundant where there is no work for them to do during the pandemic?

You have my sympathies OP. it feels like there's a general assumption that everyone is either working from home or on furlough, forgetting there is still a huge number of us who don't have the choice to work from home and haven't been furloughed.

A lot of people are basically having a long paid holiday and recharging their batteries and it isn't fair.

I wouldn't call worrying about reduced income, paying bills and not knowing whether you'll have a job or not after this a long paid holiday and recharging their batteries. 🤦🏼‍♀️

@anyfucker. I am going home in a few days just wanted to be away as working in step down facility but have outbreak situation. I know that I won't kill my family but moved out to protect mental health of everyone as all were anxious. Am getting a test tomorrow.
I do understand that people are worried about jobs to go back to etc and dont necessarily want husband to be furloughed. Just wanted to rant and feel a little sorry for myself.
🌈

That is allowed ⚘

Glitter, that's rubbish and I totally understand your frustration. Lost of people are caught between the various safety nets that have been put in place for this really unusual situation.

What do you mean you cannot use the school?

Your dh is living at home alone right now, so there is only one parent to look after the children. Secondly, the government has announced the schools are open for all key workers and is actively encouraging you to use them.

Have you contacted the school?

“A lot of people are basically having a long paid holiday and recharging their batteries and it isn't fair.”

I’m having a 3 week paid holiday and I’m recharging my batteries while on furlough, after working since the lockdown started and I’m making the most of it

You’re in a horrible, stressful situation... but I think the bottom line here is that it’s your anxiety resulting from a faulty risk assessment that’s causing the biggest problem, not the furlough scheme.

As far as I can tell from your posts:

• You work in full PPE
• No-one in your house is on the shielded list
• You don’t have any symptoms of being ill.
• You don’t have a confirmed test

Honestly, go home. Shower as soon as you walk through the door and chuck your clothes in the wash if it makes you feel better, you can’t sustain this arrangement and more importantly, you don’t need to.

I hope that reads kindly, I am not having a go at you ;)

I'm a little confused. You're still currently working full time, don't have COVID-19 but have chosen to move out for three weeks and live elsewhere? You're not self isolating? Unfortunately some roles can't be done from home, and if your employer can not furlough you, there isn't much we can do. In the same position as you, but haven't moved out. I k ow many people are doing so, but I didn't feel the risk was high enough to warrant it.

Kids rarely get I'll go home u be fine a nurse friend of mine had it and lived at home and no one caught it shes a district nurse.

My son is a key worker. His employer have told workers that they cannot give others a lift (how he normally gets there), due to social distancing. Public transport, that he could use, has been temporarily suspended. He moved out of home to stay with a friend, when all this started, as his df is on the shielded list. As dh and I are obviously isolating, neither of us can transport him. His employer won’t furlough him, despite now furloughing others (say furlough is only for those who would be able to go back in immediately they were required). He has used up almost all this year’s holiday allowance and is now on zero pay. It sucks, but that’s unfortunately how things are at the moment.

The OP is a key worker. She has childcare and she isn’t able to work from home. Her employer cannot furlough her. There is no justification and the precedent would be unsustainable. As pp suggested she should get tested and take time off. She needs to talk to her employer.

It’s the OPs choice to go sick but she would be doing it for time off and to be at home. The NHS has a strong team culture. Her behaviour wouldn’t go unnoticed or without gossip.

Like other posters have said, the furlough scheme, or the job retention scheme by its proper name is for jobs that would otherwise be made redundant. Your job wouldn't be made redundant by the sounds of it. Sorry if I missed it but can't your DH be furloughed? You can still be furloughed on a zero hours contract.
For the previous posters implying that the furloughed have it good, are you joking? Most of those furloughed have zero job security, if I am made redundant at the end of this we will be fucked. We will already be financially crippled after this even if I keep my job as I work in sales. I'm having to put away as much as possible at the moment to enable us to stay afloat once this is over. Don't you dare imply that we're living the life of Riley. I wish I was at work.

Surely the problem is not that he is a key worker but that he's on a zero hours contract?
If he's not working then his employer don't need to pay him and there is no need for furlough. It's another crappy side effect of a contract that generally gives employees no protection. If the company had had to employ him for contracted hours then you could get into whether he could be furloughed.

Surely he could work nights, kids go to school while he sleeps?

It’s hard for everyone OP. The government is not there to provide a smooth ride for each and every one of us. You have to put up with the risk like everyone else. I know several hospital doctors and nurses with families and not one has decamped to separate accommodation. They change their clothes and shoes before going into the house, thorough hand wash and that’s it.

I think we’d have heard by now if the families of front-line staff were dropping like flies.

@mummyoflittledragon. Sorry didn't make myself clear my husband works nights and schools aren't open and I'm not at home.
It's not about sick pay or self isolation as I'm still working. I could Indeed go off with stress but dont want to put more stress on my amazing colleagues who are still working.

So go home

DP and I are currently both working FT as keyworkers (DP more hours than usual as is working in covid centre in a hospital) my caseload is showing no signs of decreasing. Luckily my furloughed ex has agreed to have the younger dcs half of the working week so I only have to do Weds, Thurs, Fri juggling both work, visits and educating the children.

I agree that furlough staff have worry about finances and job security but keyworkers also have worry about their children, energy and health.

I am going into schools, homes and hospitals and can't protect my family. It's too hard. The pressure is a lot. And we are being actively encouraged not to take any leave at the moment as so many staff are off sick. And in the background is the worldwide threat and deaths. It is a lot for everyone. Some people have not been understanding at all in this thread. Being more careful with your words makes a difference. I will admit I have been jealous of my furloughed sister who doesn't have to focus on anything but her DC at the moment BUT her husband is police so she has that to worry about. Each person needs a bit of empathy at the moment.

Schools are open for children of keyworkers surely

If you are a nurse working for the NHS then surely you are reviving sick pay while you are isolating?

My friend is an ICU nurse and I have a couple of relative that are doctors working in London hospitals.

They are all living at home with their partners and children.

Whilst I understand the position you feel you are in, I think sleeping at home is the answer.

My DS is a key worker. An Engineer in food production.If breakdowns not fixed then no production, then more empty shelves. He works 2 day/2 night shifts + overtime as required. However a tired worker with machinery/ driving not a good mix.

Firstly thank you for looking after us .We appreciate all your efforts greatly.I think with your current situation you are not being "over cautious" but trying to protect your DH who is in an "at risk " category .The "Furlough "scheme I felt ,was to protect workers whose companies were shut and there was no work for them .This is not the case for you really.Can your DH sleep during the day? (My friend who works nights ,comes home ,goes to sleep 9 to 3 ) then collects DC .I realise that you probably feel short changed but your job is important and as you say difficult to find a replacement for you at short notice !