Should NHS staff go ahead in queues?

[Supermummy4]

I have only done a few times, and got some evil looks from the others queuing. I was knackered and needed some essentials and needed to pick my children up from school as I have hardly seen them so thought 'just this once, again'-might not do it again!
It sort of felt like all the clapping in the world and rainbows doesn't mean much in the real world, but I might be a bit more careful about waving my lanyard around in the future (and yes, i'm core ward NHS staff working on covid wards fwiw).
Any thoughts from others very welcome.

I think it was completely warranted when the nhs was on the brink of being overwhelmed, staff working in awful conditions and doing extra shifts/having leave cancelled.

But surely it's a bit hard to justify now? Queuing is a pain when you've worked long hours, or are on your way to work, but then it's a pain for everyone who's working full time at the moment.

Yep I do, I’m frontline NHS, if the shops want to offer it I’m going to take it.

Maybe people queuing might think nhs staff already have priority hours so shouldnt need to queue jump at other times. What times are you talking about.

Even NHS workers get days off.
It was different at the beginning when we were doing extra shifts or they were changed at no notice but although we're very busy fitting in patients while trying to use the new rules time off is a bit more secure now.
I have found that after work at 9pm is a good quiet time or 8.30am after nights so haven't queued much Recently.
I've never used my pass(too embarrassed).Also clinical staff don't use a lanyard due to infection control issues.

OP,

FGS, you are not rude. You have asked a question about a relatively new perk of your job.

This perk was given to NHS staff workers in recognition of hard work during a difficult time. It wasn't given as a suggestion others don't work hard.

Use it when you want to.

If some folk are pissed off, as long as they give up any perk offered to them in their roles, along with that of their nearest and dearest, that's totally ok.

@brieminewine

That's how I feel sometimes but do feel like I shouldn't because of everyone queuing.

You certainly shouldn't feel ashamed for using it though.

I know a girl who has just started working two days a week 4 hour shifts. Admin. She thinks she’s entitled to skip queues, get free pizzas. Walk around with her lanyard looking for praise in the shops. A lot of people taking the piss and they know it. What about poor carers who nip to the shop for clients? They get zilch. Fair enough people on the front line as well. Certainly not on days off.

I didn't even know this was a thing, so yes, I would be well pissed off if you queue jumped!

@namesnames

They probably wouldn't give it their perks too
But it is a bit rude on people queuing though.

Sorry, meant to add - maybe the people giving daggers didn't know (like me...)

@Supermummy4 different jobs have different perks (eg in-house discounts, all expenses paid for Xmas parties, all bank holidays and Xmas off), this is just a passing one for us and god knows we don’t have many others haha!

I'm a NHS nurse and I did use my badge at tesco once after a long week in work. I just wanted to get my shopping and get home. But I felt really guilty. I just go in the evenings now. I find at most there is 1 or 2 people ahead of in the queue then I'm in.

@Brieminewine

True! yea we don't have many others! I'm a peads nurse but working with Covid positive children, for me the best perk has always been seeing the children go home knowing you've done a good job.

I’m posting this while standing in a very long q at Waitrose. I have my NHS lanyard in my bag but I wouldn’t dream of flashing it. I’m nowhere near frontline or clinical, have no dependents and no reason to jump ahead.
I do think it’s ok for folks who have shifts to get to, or are rushing home to care for people though.

@Tiredmum100

I feel guilty too.

Our shops always have at least 20 people in the queue,usually more.

No but pregnant women, people with disabilities and elderly should form a separate que.
Imagine being able to get a parking spot close to the door and then walking all the way to the back of the que and having to try not to collapse whilst waiting to buy food... then finding some useless berk thinks it's a good idea to close all toilets.

NHS are given separate, priority hours, queues are shorter now and online shopping is much easier to book- NO, I don't agree with queue pushing now! I'm NHS frontline, and have used my ID ONCE, when it was within the NHS hour!

There are multiple other critical workers who have worked extra shifts, covered colleagues etc and they don't jump the queue- bin men, delivery drivers, bus drivers etc. We all still get days off and its frankly wrong when things are easing now!

@Nartl0ngNow

I agree that pregnant women, people with disabilities and elderly should get priority.

I'm NHS. I don't think we should have queue priority. A couple of times I've accidentally left my badge on and been ushered to the front. It's very embarrassing.

@Supermummy4 there are very, VERY few perks to working for the NHS- so you absolutely should get to skip the shop queues for as long as shops are willing to do this. As a public sector worker in a different sector I do not resent this whatsoever. Anyone who does is just jealous and bitter. Perhaps a few more perks like this will help address some of the shortages in certain NHS jobs... just a thought ;)

@crackersandcheeseplease

I do queue most of the time but do find going to the front embarrassing.

You will never please everyone.

Lots of people otherwise get perks that nhs staff would benefit from but we simply don't.

At height of crisis, I would jump if it was work day with the rationale that I could be carrying anything on me because I had direct contact with covid patients so just wanted to get away quickly. Now I will only use it if I pop into a supermarket before work or during lunchbreak to pick up something to eat at work. I usually prepare my food so doesn't happen often but I have very little time between dropping kids and starting work or just 30min break to eat (which can no longer be done at desk because we need to wear masks). As far as I'm concerned, that's fair. I'm in and out after picking up 2 things

I do weekly shop on my days off and queue like all the rest. Made me mad the other day to see someone use their nhs card to jump a tesco queue at 8pm when she was with her partner so expected them both to be let in. Queue looked long but was only 5-7min wait anyway

@Supermummy4

No, its not rude.

It is a perk of your job.

Do you feel it would be rude if a staff member of the supermarket didn't have to queue to shop there on their day off?

Or, would that be a perk of their job?

I could go on.

@coffeechocolatecoffee

I do queue for my weekly shop.

Are there any groups of people who don't deserve priority?

NHS workers
Care workers
Police
Fire brigade
Supermarket workers
Any other 'hero' keyworkers (but not those lazy teachers)
Pregnant woman
People who are disabled
Old people
People with mental health problems
People with small children

I think the other queue might be faster...