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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

213 replies

glitterwobbles · 19/05/2020 07:56

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.

OP posts:
Xenia · 19/05/2020 09:19

There are a lot of unfairnesses in this. I don't get anything either no furlough as not an employee, no self employed help as before tax profits last year over £50k, no universal credit as I have savings (although I am not in need of UC anyway) - loads of people with no wags coming in. My son has worked fuloltime - delivers groceries throughout and no furlough there (otherwise people would not get food), My doctor sibling has worked full time.

I didn't quite follow the first post. I thought if you were living away from the husband to avoid infecting him then couldn't he work? Is he looking after children but why as key worker children go to school.

Kickanxietyinthebeanbag · 19/05/2020 09:26

Surely having kids in school all day means your husband can sleep in the day ...as you said he’s on nights
Does not make sense your reason for not using schools

SleepingStandingUp · 19/05/2020 09:26

I'm sorry you're having a tough time op, if course anyone forced to isolate due to Corona should receive proper sick pay (furlough isn't relevent) so that your husband isn't down to no pay because of your work.

It's unclear why 3 weeks, and does he not qualify for ssp?

SleepingStandingUp · 19/05/2020 09:27

Surely having kids in school all day means your husband can sleep in the day ...as you said he’s on nights and who looks after the kids whilst he's at work at night and op is isolating away fr th and we're not allowed to mix households and I doubt she could get a Nanny

MarieQueenofScots · 19/05/2020 09:30

Just a point with regards to schools, a number of LEAs are only offering places if both parents are keyworkers.

If one parent is a keyworker and one isn't, they don't qualify for a place.

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 19/05/2020 09:37

Thanks to all who say can my husband not sleep in the day. Of course he can that's what's happened for years. Our issue is that we cant leave our daughter on her own overnight as I'm not there.
I agree I probably overreacted and could have stayed at home. But I equally could have taken time off as many who I work with have. So please dont judge I'm an intelligent nurse and although my head knows the risk is small. I have seen colleaques in different areas end up in itu a friend was positive and passed it on to her son.
I am going home when my test is negative as this is emotionally unsustainable
So we will go back to our normal chaos of me doing days my husband nights and pray all is well.
If I get anxious again my trust will send me on a meditation course. Bloody meditation I need donuts .
Take care be safe and find your own way through the crisis.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 19/05/2020 09:41

A few people have not read your thread properly, op ( or don't understand the situation you are in)

TheHumanSatsuma · 19/05/2020 09:42

My son is furloughed. He’s a waiter. Paid 80% of his £9 an hour.
No tips. He’s not sure when he can go back or if the business will survive.

He still has to pay his bills and eat. He’s not re-charging his batteries, more worried sick about his future.

ReincarnatedDodo · 19/05/2020 09:43

Yeah, key workers can be furloughed.

I am, and I have been furloughed.

LivingOnAnIsland · 19/05/2020 09:44

There is support for people on zero hours contracts (80% of average over previous couple of months) but maybe that's not for people that are choosing not to work.

Astrabees · 19/05/2020 09:52

If you are a nurse in the public sector the furlough argument is irrelevant as public sector employees are not furloughed.Nurses and care workers who have spouses who are shielding can be furloughed even if there is work available for them. it is all very complicated.I'm another one who asks if he could take leave?

Figmentofmyimagination · 19/05/2020 09:56

livingonanisland

There is support for zero hour contract workers but only if the employer chooses to access it.

The employer also has the alternative option, which is simply not to request any more hours. That is the whole sorry point of a zero hours contract.

I am sure there will be some benevolent employers out there who are paying their zero hour contract workforce 80% of their average wage. It’s a crazy world that these issues come down to an employer’s social conscience.

Sandybval · 19/05/2020 10:01

Is he normally on zero hours? Or just for the duration of this? Sorry if it's been said, I couldn't see it. I agree that furlough isn't for key workers, but there should be some mechanism in place for situations like this. To those judging you for moving out, I am sure you made a balanced decision for you and your family rather than just doing it for a laugh, and I am sure you would have considered school if he didn't work nights.

Grilledaubergines · 19/05/2020 10:04

*RusticaRubra

Different from furloughed, but I do think anyone who has been a key worker through this crisis should get a month off paid or pay in lieu. A lot of people are basically having a long paid holiday and recharging their batteries and it isn't fair.*

What about those who have worked full time through the crisis and aren’t key workers?

Who would fund this month off/payment in lieu.

I can’t imagine many are loving being furloughed. I should imagine that unless you’re in a very fortunate financial position, it’s worrying and stressful.

TheLashKingOfScotland · 19/05/2020 10:04

As a PP said there are lots of people falling through the furlough cracks, not only the self-employed but there are issues with the HMRC website that is conveniently stopping lots of companies from being able to furlough too.
But, I understand why you're frustrated. Of course your family's health is more important but it's hard and worrying about money on top of everything else, sometimes just feels like too much Flowers

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/05/2020 10:04

Glitter
No it’s me. My brain is mush this morning. Sorry.

maddening · 19/05/2020 10:05

Do you have parent who are not vulnerable or over 70? They would be allowed to provide child care as far as I understand, so over night for dc and they go to school while dh sleeps?

AnyFucker · 19/05/2020 10:08

To those judging you for moving out

Get stuffed with your sanctimonous "judging" meme

I am not "judging" the decision to live apart from family but I do believe it was a mistaken and unsustainable decision, which op freely accepts now

OrangeCinnamon · 19/05/2020 10:09

@glitterwobbles

I agree I probably overreacted and could have stayed at home. But I equally could have taken time off as many who I work with have. So please dont judge I'm an intelligent nurse and although my head knows the risk is small. I have seen colleaques in different areas end up in itu a friend was positive and passed it on to her son.
I am going home when my test is negative as this is emotionally unsustainable

Sad Flowers Just many many thanks for putting yourself out there - it must be terrible to be living with that fear at a time like this.
Biscuit not a mumsnetty no comment biscuit but looks enough like a donut

Sandybval · 19/05/2020 10:10

If you aren't judging then it's not aimed at you is it? People are so sensitive to what strangers say on the internet, it's baffling.

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 19/05/2020 10:11

It wouldn't be his employers who paid if he was furloughed it would be the taxpayer we are asking for 3 weeks of pay. This is the same taxpayer that is paying 3 people at my work base to be off due to there fears around coronavirus not because they are shielding. I know which is cheaper.
As I've repeatedly said we have sucked it up as in the great scheme of things 3 weeks pay is nothing compared to our wellbeing. But I feel I have a right to a pity party.
Right now need to address my mental health would go to the meditation class recommended by occupational health department but its 25 miles away so will have to resort to a donut. 🍩

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 19/05/2020 10:15

No, what's "baffling" is that any hint of disagreement or pointing out a different course of action would be better is now "judging"

It's a relatively new concept and designed to shut people down. I don't like it.

Xenia · 19/05/2020 10:18

So both key workers. Child could be in school all day but father works nights only (and presumably cannot move to days) and father on zero hours so the issue is not childcare in the day but childcare during the night because the mother moved out. As the father cannot work anyway may be the mother should just move back in now then?

SD1978 · 19/05/2020 10:23

I still don't understand. You're continuing to work, but have been tested and are self isolating from your family?

Sandybval · 19/05/2020 10:26

go home love, you won't "kill your family"

said at the beginning that doing so would be unsustainable and here you are.

Not judgemental responses at all are they, not condescending in the slightest. It's not about people disagreeing with a course of action, it's being a self righteous arse about it. Anyway, who cares if you don't like it, joy of the internet and an open forum is that people have different views.

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