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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:
DontStandSoCloseToMe · 20/05/2020 19:42

There are so many of us OP both parents keyworkers, local childcare either not available even for keyworkers or not available at the times our shifts are. No overtime and having to use annual leave to even physically exist. But don't worry a least we get a round of applause on a Thursday.
I feel for you I really really do. I'm so exhausted at this point I've had an outbreak of coldsores and mouth ulcers because I'm that run down, there were thousands of furloughed folk on the beach near my house today, but the furlough scheme isn't available for us, if I need time off to care for my child it's unpaid or annual leave. It's not the fault of the furloughed but it really rubs salt in the wounds having to drive past that on my way home to see my husband briefly on the doorstep as he goes on a night shift, while I put our baby to bed. Of course if we could afford a nanny that would be fine..... Don't know many public sector workers with nannies though!

DontStandSoCloseToMe · 20/05/2020 19:44

Lots of people on here have forgotten the swathe of public sector cuts and and freezes we've already experienced over the last decade and the huge numbers of our colleagues who were made redundant. I guess we are lucky aren't we....

Retired65 · 20/05/2020 19:45

Sorry, I read your post incorrectly, in that you are exposed to coronavirus at work and haven't actually had it. I still feel though you can take precautions such as changing at the door, clothes straight into washing machine, have a shower.

TinnedPearsForPudding · 20/05/2020 19:46

People who are paid from the public purse cannot be furloughed. This is because the Government already pay their salary & would effectively be paying twice for them. A lot of people who are paid by the government are classed as key workers - NHS, some carers, teachers etc

Ferret27 · 20/05/2020 19:47

Yes very unfair ... you are both trying to do your bit and I know of hundreds of lazy people getting full pay ... ( some have gained in this horrendous situation as they barely do a full days work in normal times and now they don’t even have to show up and pretend) I worked until recently as I will be back working alongside these people soon ...listening to how they have had 3/4 months off as they never volunteered to carry our essential business through this testing time...

douise1980 · 20/05/2020 20:13

I am a key worker myself and I have been told if you are a civil servant you can not be furloughed (I work for the home office). My employer is good at giving leave for childcare issues (hubby is a bus driver). Having kids as well is stressful enough. If you did try to send kids to school they would refuse as you have had covid symptoms. Hopefully things will get better soon for you

BBOA · 20/05/2020 20:21

Yes can only furlough if there's no work unfortunately. Care workers definitely can't be unless vulnerable/pregnant. Etc. Must be so hard for you. Sounds like you are doing a key job so we should all be really grateful you are keeping things going. We'll done!

PickleChipsareyummy · 20/05/2020 20:31

Hi @glitterwobbles I just want to say thank you for working through this crisis. Few people outside the NHS see up close how hard staff work. Both of my sisters are NHS - one is Obs and Gynae Consultant, one a midwife. Both of them are working extra shifts and in other wards than usual to cover staff who are poorly or to cover those moved to ICU or HDU. I am in awe of how hard they work normally, even more so at the moment. Thanks to all of you putting yourselves out there when most of us would not want to be exposed to Covid. I think you’re amazing.
I have no practical advice to give you and I’m so angry at the government for not taking care of you all better through this crisis. I do hope that you can go home and that your Trust can plan annual leave time fairly when this whole scenario calms down.
That said, if you do become stressed or anxious to the point that it feels like too much, it would be completely understandable for you to see your GP and get signed off. I don’t know anyone who would blame you for that.
Take care xxFlowers

teraculum29 · 20/05/2020 20:39

To "NotAnotherUserName", (about annual leave)
(dont know how to quote).

In my workplace, annual leave can be carried on to next year or if you have already booked annual for this year you can cancel it or work on those days that you have booked annual leave, so you are paid for your shift and for annual leave on that day.

So maybe your husband can speak to his boss and ask if that could be an option??

Andy1982 · 20/05/2020 20:50

Hi, sorry things are so difficult for you and your family right now. If you're in nursing accommodation, are you NHS? If so you can book a test even with no symptoms, if negative you can get home again.
I hope you can be back with your family soon and find ways through this.

Kittywampus · 20/05/2020 20:58

I think it's public sector who can't be furloughed, not all key workers. I'm public sector but not a key worker and we've been told you can't be furloughed if your salary comes from public funds.

Also, some schools are only taking children where both parents are key workers so it may not be an option if the op's husband isn't a key worker.

RoseLillian · 20/05/2020 21:07

I swear some posters are being intentionally dumb on this thread. Comments like that he can work nights because as a key worker the kids can go to school in the day and he can sleep when they are at school. So he is leaving the kids at home by themselves while he goes off on his night shift?

Op I do really feel for you. You are doing such a difficult job. I can imagine the long hours in the protective equipment must be horrendous. Then to be in fear of going back to your family as your husband has Asma. And what do you get for all that reduced income because your DH can’t work. It really is a rubbish situation and those who can’t see that must be emotionally blind.

Thank you for doing what you do. There are not many people who could me included. We are very lucky to have people like you.

Mildred007 · 20/05/2020 21:07

OP I completely understand where you're coming from by staying away, not only are you protecting your family but also your husbands co-workers. I have no advice or anything but am sending you a virtual hug xxx

Cloglover · 20/05/2020 21:09

Big hugs glitter. It's absolutely heroic what people like you are doing. I absolutely understand why you wouldn't want to put your family at risk and it must be very, very frustrating when you are working under the stress and conditions that you are, knowing that people are at home on 80% pay sunbathing! The grass isn't always greener but when stress is often relative, I imagine you'd be happy to swap your front line stress for someone else's who's got it easier.

Most importantly I think key workers who are battling on need the recognition they deserve not just through clapping - but support. Real support to help improve their living and working conditions.

Ignore the sneery comments. Rant away. If it wasn't for people like you we'd be truely fucked. X

PinkPanther27 · 20/05/2020 21:10

I'm a key worker and I wish I could be furloughed. I do relief work on a zero hours contract and I'm just not getting the work so I'm probably doing about 10% of the in call stuff I normally do and struggling cos I'm getting paid next to nothing.

hypnovic · 20/05/2020 21:12

Sorry you are feeling meh. Sorry so many people here have a "tough luck " attitude.
Stay safe

legalseagull · 20/05/2020 21:18

It depends what sort of key worker you are and whether there's work for you. I'm a keyworker in the justice system and I have been furloughed because there isn't enough work to pay us (the courts are doing minimal work).

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 20/05/2020 21:46

Hi big hugs and thanks to those that have understood my annoyance.
To those of you that think I want free time off I could get that by being anxious and signed off sick. But I haven't I am working and have taken a test but wanted to wait to the end of the incubation time to be sure.
I am going home on sat and will continue to change at work etc. The thing is PPE is not completely 100% effective so better to be safe due to the high number of patients with active covid
My husbands line manager is pleased that he has taken some time away as his clients are vulnerable.
I know facing redundancy is horrible but there are always jobs in care and hospitals so put yourself out there take some risks and maybe you'll understand.

OP posts:
sunshinemode · 20/05/2020 21:57

I wish people would read the post. The Op a nurse has moved out to protect her family. Who are we to tell he move back home it will be fine.

Her husband works nights...no school open at night to look after the kids.

Also I love how people on here are so happy to send the kids of key workers into school while everyone else’s kids are nice and safe at home.

SD1978 · 20/05/2020 22:48

I'm still confused and you haven't answered I dont believe. You've been tested but you're still working? Or you've been tested, it's negative and still working?

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 20/05/2020 23:17

Still working as no symptoms and wearing PPE which protects my colleagues. Tested but awaiting results

OP posts:
LatinMumof2 · 20/05/2020 23:29

No advice for you sadly @glitter but just wanted to say a massive thank you. I know that's not enough, nor is a round of applause or whatever, but it's all I've got... I really feel for you and appreciate how hard you are working for us all Flowers

GreytExpectations · 20/05/2020 23:30

Well OP my husband was furloughed and now he is being made redundant. Stop fucking moaning that you think furloughed people are just getting a paid for break. It's not a choice most want and you don't get to demand it no matter how entitled you think you are. Maybe redirect your anger or find another job if you aren't happy.

SD1978 · 20/05/2020 23:36

Why did you test if asymptomatic? And how are you allowed to still work if you are waiting results? Our hospital will not allow staff to work until the results are back- you are surely therefore a risk to everyone you come in contact with, and everyone in the accomodation you're staying in? That's damn concerning.

Original poster
glitterwobbles · 20/05/2020 23:41

Greyexpectations I'm really sorry to hear your husband has been made redundant. I hope he finds a new job soon.

Please read my original post I'm moaning at the situation not people who are having genuine hardship. Cant imagine how you are feeling right now

OP posts: