Please can we now ban the phrase -'key worker'

[Hoppybunny]

Way back in March it was relevant and distinguishing, but now the economy is creeping back to life why does every other post on mumsnet need to mention that they are a key worker! Surely every worker needs childcare provisions/access to shops etc and this badge of honour needs to end?

Oh yes. especially since the ones who use it to describe themselves (usually with a added “i’m risking my life for you every day”) are usually only “key” on paper ....

again, define "key" worker...

Pretty much anyone can be fitted in one of the government category.

Just because someone calls themselves a key worker doesn't mean they're insulting you or what you do. Why do you care?

And no, I'm not a key worker.

Just because someone calls themselves a key worker doesn't mean they're insulting you or what you do. Why do you care?

Because their children get a place in school whilst mine are still banned.

Both dh and I are classed as key workers.

However we have never used it to get any benefits or too our advantage at all.

We are both working hard, long days and just as busy, if to more so. However we can both work from home throughout.

I teach, but have worked from home throughout, as I am also clinically vulnerable.

DH is a solicitor who specialises in wills and probate (private client) type work. As part of his job he also looks after some people's money and is responsible for ensuring they have some available. - this type of law is in the key worker list. He has worked from home throughout, calling into the office once a week. He can now see some of his more vulnerable clients, who can't do telephone/video calls, in person following strict guidelines. He was initially swamp with people wanting new wills, especially medics. He has since been busy, sadly, with probates.

DD is pretty much an adult so no need for school childcare. Been able to get online deliveries throughout so not used any of the special hours, etc.

The term doesn't really bother me though and I can see why we still have the distinction - we need to prioritise places in the childcare in schools, and those places need to go to those who are unable to carry out their role, in essential services, from home.

have I missed an important announcement or are we still in the middle of a pandemic.?
Key workers are those we can't do without, not those who have a job that isn't a matter of life and death, like eating and keeping us alive. There is childcare for them and for those disadvantaged, and the title just identifies them as such, it's not a badge of honour, what's your problem?

Our school only gives places to key workers where neither parent is working from home. Just having a key worker parent isn't enough.

Because their children get a place in school whilst mine are still banned.

Yes, but that isn't the "key worker"'s fault is it? Nor will it change if they don't use the term key worker

Take it up with the gov. There was no need for a snidey thread from the OP.

Personally I'm quite happy for to keyworkers to continue to have childcare if it means I get seen at the hospital or can buy toilet paper when I need it.

Key workers are those we can't do without,

so pretty much everybody. Again, who doesn't qualify as a "key worker"?
Even if you run your own leisure business, you can argue that your staff would be unemployed without you and there you go.

Some schools might demand strict paperwork (that a business owner can provide anyway), others just follow the guidelines so that's pretty much anyone and everyone.

I know someone trying to get their kid a place in school because they’re a ‘key worker’. They work in a brewery.

I said it was on another level giving up your job and freedom (and savings) to fully care for, educate and entertain your children 24/4 with NO outside support whatsoever (single parents) - inc the children with extreme behavioral problems such as Autism where said parent is getting abuse spat at them and beaten by their child. That's pretty damn key.

I don't mind if both parents are genuinely working outside of the home in essential roles. But I don't see why if they're working from home in IT or banking or whatever, or one is furloughed, they are more deserving of a place than other parents working from home but in different industries.

Mia1415 "People whose children are allowed to go to school and have been throughout" You mean people who had to risk going to work and sending their kids to temporary childcare in schools so that you could watch Daytime TV in safety.

You wanted food, electricity and water services staffed right? Also firefighting, medical, law enforcement and so on?

I'm not a keyworker. I just have a low tolerance for stupidity.

@BahHumbygge my office pal and I used to joke about the B ship on Hitchhikers Guide and who should be in it .
I've got the key worker letter, but everyone in our Financial organization got it. I guess my project does matter as needed for regulatory deadline, but keyworker is stretching it a tad. I can work from home, but knowing what I know now I wish I'd pushed to get DS 14 into school, even if he hadn't got much more teaching than he does now at least he'd be mixing with other children.

Being furlough has never stopped "key workers" to use a school place! Maybe in some schools, but not in all. That's my point, I can't think of many roles who are not "key workers' if you want a school spot.

formerbabe you seem to assume WFH means it's easy to take care of children? There is a reason I usually have to prove I have childcare when WFH

"Trouble is that there are lots of "key" workers who aren't front line nurses, doctors, carers, etc., but they get no special treatment."

This is one massive part of it, absolutely. Where's the appreciation for supermarket staff who had to keep working in massively busy areas with pretty much 0 PPE. I've never understood why teacher unions kicked up more of a fuss than theirs. Where's the outrage and also benefits (discounts, queue jumps ect) for them and other similar workers?

Also it seems to have given some (not all, not even most, but some) people a sense of superiority and that they are owed something.

Selling things on fb - lots of comments asking questions, offering for it, one post pops up - 'I can only offer X but I'm a key worker so please could I have it' - for something frivolous but nice to have like a tv or fancy headphones.

Some key workers talking about how they're so essential to society and the rest of us and our jobs are somehow expendable. Fine, when you next need help with a tax return don't come asking me.

Some key workers as someone has mentioned up thread, thinking they have earnt the right to command respect and order people around, except they're not asking for respect as in just being nice to them but actually to be worshipped.

Yanbu, I work in a large HA, the amount of people wanting preferential treatment as they are a “key worker” is astounding.

Hmm. I've always been a key worker, as I provide vital NHS services as a doctor. I am key to running the country, not just the economy.

While most others were on furlough, working reduced hours, or working from home, I was working long exhausting shifts with minimal per, at personal risk looking after covid-19 patients. I am key.

@SueEllenMishke
Quite the opposite. I'm making the point that plenty of people are struggling to work from home but aren't considered essential workers...
Some people have one furloughed parent and one key worker...and their DC gets a schools place. Whereas a single mum could be working from home, struggling but not be considered a key worker but isn't entitled to a school place.
Also some are using a pretty liberal interpretation of the phrase in order to get a school place.

keyworkers kids have to be prioritised childcare places - that is if you want nurses to treat you, teachers to teach your kids, delivery people to bring your groceries etc.

I can understand being irked by it but it is what it is. Given ''keyworkers" are generally underpaid and undervalued this is probably the first time they've ever been prioritised and now only because they're essential.

Most even if working from home were also essential in running the country, not just the economy.

Gas and electrical companies, Gas and Electrical grids, Telecom services, banking services, police, social care and social workers, supermarket staff, military, council repairs and maintenance etc...

Millions were essential not just the NHS and will I am incredibly thankful for what NHS staff have done, millions of people were also exhausted, working long hours and putting themselves at risk providing key services.

@hibbledobble

You seem to be one of the key workers who thinks your job makes you superior. Your job is key, very few individuals aren't replaceable.

And you knew you were signing up for long shifts when you went through the whole process of becoming a doctor, it's part of the job. The pandemic may be unprecedented but anyone who complains about aspects of a job that were well known before they started pursuing that career (because no one just falls into being a doctor or nurse) garners little sympathy from me, the same as any lawyer ect knows there will be long hours before they even start that career.

@LastTrainEast You’re assuming those that are not key workers are watching daytime tv in safety and you’re wrong there. Many of us have continued working.

The difference is that a son of an nhs admin was allowed to go to school whilst their parent was wfh whilst another admin working for a private company couldn’t. Also right now that same admin can carry on wfh whilst someone working for primark has to go to work cuz their boss wants them to but their kids can’t go to school as their parents aren’t classified as key workers.

I am extremely grateful to the people who carried on going out to work throughout the pandemic, coming into regular contact with the public and putting themselves at risk. In my mind they are the key workers. Eg Clinical NHS staff, delivery drivers, supermarket workers on the shop floor, teachers who provide key worker childcare, postmen.
I feel like there should be a separate category for them and for people who provided an essential service but were never in any personal danger as a result of their job.