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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:
SmartyPants0 · 19/05/2020 14:36

I'm not going to lie... i haven't read the full thread. Can you be tested?

LakieLady · 19/05/2020 14:37

However, as your husband is on a zero hours contract, then I guess it may just be easier for his employer to say he's not needed at the moment

Zero hours contracts are the work of the devil imo. People have so few rights under them.

A friend who is sort of semi-retired works in a care home on ZHC. The bastards who own it don't give her any paid holiday and haven't even given her a contract, and she's been there for 4 years. We keep telling her to insist on it, but she can't be arsed.

IncredibleSulk · 19/05/2020 15:15

@Washyourhands48

LOL yes, such a sense of self entitlement to not want to pass a potentially deadly virus on to your precious family members Hmm

Couchbettato · 19/05/2020 15:16

Furlough is available for those with a lack of childcare @WhateverHappenedToMe

Tinypaws2 · 19/05/2020 15:19

I’m classed as a key worker but currently on furlough so you can be furloughed. My company is only providing services to the emergency services and care homes where normally we supply to all kinds of catering business but as all restaurants and pubs are closed we are only running on 10% of our customers. If the work is there then you or your husband won’t be furloughed.

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 19/05/2020 15:23

Smarty pants you haven't read the post. I do not expect special treatment because I have kids.
I just feel a bit upset as some of my colleaques are off on full pay because they are stressed. I am going home soon and will practice social distancing until this is all over . I am normally strong willed a accepted years ago that I am often exposed to infection and always take it in my stride.
This week is mental health awareness week and I feel that my resilience bucket is getting empty. I know this time will pass but am finding it hard. We will manage without my husbands pay for 3 weeks as have always kept some in reserve in case of illness or unforeseen circumstances. Lastly I appreciate everyone who has worked through these difficult times and my heart goes out to everyone who is struggling mentally, physically or financially. Most of all need a hug really missing a hug at the end of a tough day

OP posts:
shookbelves · 19/05/2020 15:38

My relative found herself in this situation due to who she works for and what she does. Because the organisation is essential, she can't be furloughed, even though she is unable to do her job at present because that particular facility is shut. She has had to take unpaid leave.

shookbelves · 19/05/2020 15:42

@glitterwobbles
Have a virtual hug from me Smile

NotAnotherUserNumber · 19/05/2020 15:49

@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.

Unfortunately the opposite is more likely. My husband is a key worker and has worked most weekends, Easter, bank holiday etc. all the way through since this started and we also had to cancel all his booked annual leave. His leave year ends in July and we added up that he will be owed around 45 days leave by then, but there is simply no chance that he will be able to take it. So ultimately he will have done a couple of months of work unpaid.

Bearseatbeets · 20/05/2020 17:24

I agree. My husband and I are both keyworkers and our sons nursery has totally closed because they didn’t have enough keyworker children to stay open. Other nurseries aren’t taking new children. We’ve ended up moving in with my parents and are trying to juggle childcare between us all but after 9 weeks, tensions are rising

thenovice · 20/05/2020 17:32

I would love to be able to work, but am a zero hours contractor so I get nothing. I have to teach my children, while their teacher gets furloughed on 80%.
I will have to pay more tax when I get some work back, just to pay for those who have had the luxury of furlough. Life isn't fair. Covid isn't fair. We have lost a family member (paramedic) to Covid.
We all just have to get through it.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/05/2020 17:33

Can you really not understand why key workers can’t be furloughed? Your work is by definition ‘key’ to society as a whole. The scheme is costing a fortune and is there to hopefully give people jobs to go back to.
I’m working with covid19 patients too but haven’t moved out of our home.
I shower at work after every shift and have a complete change of clothes. Uniform is brought home in a pillow case and laundered as soon as I arrive home.
You have made a choice to move out and that means that your husband is now not working. Many in a similar position haven’t made that choice.

Pawsandnoses · 20/05/2020 17:38

Key workers can be furloughed and one of the legitimate reasons that can used is that of childcare. Is he employed somewhere that can't access CJRS? Some organisations that receive government grants for example, or public sector?

ReincarnatedDodo · 20/05/2020 17:42

@Muchtoomuchtodo You are incorrect. Keyworkers can, and are, being furloughed. I am one, I am furloughed.

ittakes2 · 20/05/2020 17:47

I am sorry you are being exposed to the virus. I know it must seem unfair that others are being paid to sit at home. My husband’s business had to furlough all their staff due to zero income. The reality is when the rules change so the employer will have to top up the furlough to 80 percent...his business will still have zero income. I think this must be the same for a lot of businesses. Long term there will be furloughed people who will be made redundant in a recession with little job prospects. It’s not even happened yet but it’s heart breaking to think of the how so many hard working great employees will become unemployed and worried about their futures and how they can provide for their families. There are no winners in this terrible pandemic.

EmpressoftheMundane · 20/05/2020 17:48

The purpose of the furlough is to stop a demand shock on the economy. Nothing else.

That said, it's horrible that your husband has not been able to work for three weeks. It's awful that he doesn't get any sick leave.

wasmarriedtoacockwomble · 20/05/2020 17:48

YANBU. I work at a hospital in the office and we have very little work at present. I am classed as a key worker. Yes my child can go to school but I choose not to send him as there is a child also attending who bullied my son before school closed. Because my son is at an age where he cannot be left all day on his own I have to take unpaid leave. It’s definitely a struggle at the moment. Furlough would be the best option for me at the moment but unfortunately it’s not an option at my place of work

Nixen · 20/05/2020 17:48

If it makes you feel better I was furloughed and have just been made redundant. Maybe be grateful you have a job 👍🏼

niugboo · 20/05/2020 17:51

Sorry yes I think you are. Furlough is specifically designed for people that would lose their jobs and have no way of supporting themselves. It’s not for people who want time off.

AStarSoBright · 20/05/2020 17:57

@thenovice are you sure the teacher is furloughed? If they are paid from public funds they won't be

OvertiredandConfused · 20/05/2020 18:04

I have furloughed a couple of frontline workers because they are clinically vulnerable and can’t work from home.

FelicisNox · 20/05/2020 18:04

I agree with @WhateverHappenedToMe.

Her post says it all so nothing to add in that respect.

I can appreciate your point of view but actually, you're very lucky to have the choice to move out. I'm also a keyworker and I don't have that option.

This is the part where you are thankful for small mercies.

Ifeelsuchafool · 20/05/2020 18:11

I work for an elder care company and I've been furloughed on the grounds of having received a shielding letter. Have you come into contact with Covid 19 in the course of your work?

caringcarer · 20/05/2020 18:12

I think the rules are that key workers paid by government can't be furloughed as their job is still there to be done. Key workers like delivery drivers or supermarket workers can be furloughed as not paid by government. Furlough is for people who have no work available to them. Could you not go home but socially distance from family? I know a nurse with a dh and small child of 3 who is still living at home but socially distancing by sleeping on sofa and when she arrives home she showers, then stays in bedroom until child in bed. Then goes down and cooks, eats, sits 3 metres from dh and when he goes to bed she then sleeps on sofa bed. She leaves for work before child is up.

MorganKitten · 20/05/2020 18:23

I’m a key worker, along with my whole department I’ve been furloughed