To be outraged that prison officers get a 4k bonus for Covid overtime, while NHS staff have got nothing?

[PPEcompensatoryeyeliner]

www.lowdownnhs.info/news/covid-19-bonuses-for-prison-staff-what-about-care-workers/

I waa talking to a friend who works in a prison yesterday. They are receiving 4k bonuses for commiting to 9hrs a week overtime for 12 weeks. They are on the same pay scale as nurses.

I don't resent them bonuses, they a do hard and difficult job. But I know so many nurses who routinely do unpaid overtime to make sure things keep running and patients get care, and it's been repeatedly estimated that between 40-50% of nurses do 5hrs unpaid each week. I personally as a ward manager usually work at least an extra hour a day and have done for years, if I don't something is missed.

I think the government knew that NHS and care staff would work for free because we're needed to, and counted on this.

All qualified nurses start on band 5. Obviously with seniority and more experience, nurses progress through the pay points. You will find that many engineers do get more and lawyers but they will not be qualified after their degree. They have several years more to do and for engineers, a masters is required. So I don’t think nurses earn a pittance. It’s not much different to teaching. Many professions start low and you have to get promotion to make more money. But a pittance it isn’t. In fact two nurses buying a house in many areas of the country would get a reasonable choice of property if they can get the deposit together.

My friend's DH is a prison officer - they had none of the hero worshipping NHS staff had but were putting themselves in lots of danger - COVID was rife in the prisons early on in the pandemic and she was really upset nobody was acknowledging their work. So am glad they are finally being appreciated but agree other keyworkers should be too.

YABU I've done many hours of unpaid overtime and have worked throughout lockdown (not NHS, think of caring for the homeless and most in need). I wasn't bitter that NHS were getting to jump shopping queues and getting discounts. Grow up.