Key worker rant

[cutie101]

What qualifies as key worker really annoys me.
More to the point the people who benefit from discounts and privileges even though they havent been in critical roles is getting to me.
Yes frontline staff have been absolutely amazing and deserve it, but what about the admin person who works for the NHS, or the optician, or the psychologists etc..their jobs haven't been impacted at all, but they benefit from the same discount as the true heroes. Im a teacher and have honestly never worked more than I have since March, in every day looking after children of key workers and vulnerable children, plus creating and recording lessons, making work available online, marking all work each day as well as so many other things...really annoyed me that looking in a car showroom the other day, those who work for the NHS get the staff discount at the moment, but not me. I am more than happy for the doctors, nurses, paramedics etc to benefit, but random admin who have been working from home or even furloughed...
Likewise I know a couple, both who worked from home throughout, just like so many other people. One is a solicitor in the public sector and the other works for a water company in their IT department. Again neither job critical during this time, but because one works for a water company and the other in the public sector, they are both classified as key workers so their children could carry on going to school, nursery etc.
I'm grumpy and ranting, but does anyone else feel the same?

As far as I was aware, teachers are also Kay workers though.

Errr how are psychologists not heroes? Mental health services are more important than ever. God knows how you’re placing them on the same level as “random admin”

You sound bitter. Your post is very “pick me”

Why don’t you think furloughed NHS staff shouldn’t get discounts? You’re aware that their income has been reduced and they’re the ones most at risk of redundancy? Meanwhile you’ve been working in a secure job on full pay?

Why do*

A teacher is a key worker though?

The whole thing has become an utter farce. I can see my hairdresser but not my GP - and yet the latter are lauded as heroes. Perhaps it should be the other way round.

NHS discounts have been around for years and are on really random things like Dominos pizza and Lovehoney sex toys It's not related to Covid.

Pretty sure teachers are key workers. I know a primary school teacher who said its been the easiest time ever as no marking or targets to achieve.
Pretty sure no nhs staff were furloughed even if admin as it helps others do their jobs and is all an essential piece of the puzzle. My department has worked throughout but we dont see covid patients.

I don’t think it’s helpful for you to compare yourself to others and think you’ve been working harder than them (especially if you’ve never done the actual job).

I’ve been working from home in a public sector role and have been working all hours without extra pay to get things done that need sorting due to COVID, but I’m not sure any of the general public would realise the extent of what I’ve had to do or the time put in. I haven’t been claiming any of the key worker privileges, but I do think it’s nice that companies are willing to offer that even for people who aren’t directly dealing with COVID patients.

Of course someone who works in it for a water company are a key worker. Do you think these services just turn up with no help?

Who really cares if other people are key workers?!

Well sure you are getting a raise and the nhs are not ? Is it not nice they are at least getting some sort of discount and appreciation?

This ‘hero’ term and subsequent ‘hero worship’ is ludicrous.

People could work from home and still be supporting vulnerable people. Honestly, this is weird hill on which to choose to die on. You’re a teacher who benefits from school holidays - while NHS and social care staff work equally hard on often less pay, and with fewer breaks. Let them have the discounts. It’s not a biggie. (And keg worker didn’t mean NHS staff by the way, it was a huge amount of different roles to keep the country running, I’d argue that a water company is really important and very critical).

Hi @cutie101
I know exactly what you mean. I'm a civil servant so I've been working too. My partner is a 'key worker' too. We didn't use the school for childcare. We worked around it. Its been bloody hard but you guys have been treated awfully from what I've heard. I know of so many parents who have abused the system. Its atrocious.

I know a lot of parents needed the childcare but you have really drawn the short straw. I'm sorry.

My own minor moan is that we as a family can't take advantage of the 'eat out to help out' scheme. We've done our best to keep the kids in a regular routine but we don't have the annual leave to take advantage of it. To the point where I'm regularly dreaming about Frankie & Bennies and 5guys!

I suppose you should (like I am) remind yourself daily, hourly even, that we have secure employment.

Lots of people are key workers. Shop workers together with the delivery and warehousing and food production staff that keep supermarkets stocked. Teachers and childcare workers who both enable others to work and safeguard our future. Carers and social services who look after the elderly and provide care and protection for people unable to look after themselves. People who work in refuse collection - how quickly would disease spread in lockdown if rubbish (and vermin) piled up. People who work in the energy and communication industries. People who work in transport to enable key workers to get to work. Military/defence personnel as the country still needs to be safe/protected. When you think about what we as a society need as opposed to what we’re used to or things that just enhance life rather than being essential - I’d say hospitality, entertainment, the arts are desirable but not essential. What about the finance sector?

Like you I don’t begrudge the nhs staff their perks, but without the people that enable them to go to work or provide power etc to hospitals or keep food supplies moving society wouldn’t cope

Lots of companies have long given discounts to NHS staff, it's a promotion because the NHS has a lot of employees
I'm frontline but we need admin and office staff in order to do our jobs. They are key workers too

I work in a bank. In Facilities Management. We've been flat out moving people around so that they can continue to operate the bank without getting too close to each other.
I'm a key worker - is that ok with you?

This is silly just stop.
What about the random admin who has worked all the way through covid?
That random admin may have supported clinical staff in many different ways to do their jobs efficiently. They also may have dealt face to face with more patients than the clinical staff have due to clerking in etc.

I don’t really agree with key worker discount as I think that everyone has faced challenges during this time, whether at home or at work. And no one, really has sacrificed more than anyone else. It’s just everyone’s situation is different.

But many places always do the nhs discount anyway. Nothing to do with key worker, I suspect more of a marketing ploy for the company.

Now please do stop twisting and whining about some perceived benefit you see others getting. As I’m sure someone will be along to complain about the amount of holidays you get, or presents parents feel obliged to buy you, very soon.

Many of the discounts are just a way to attract a large percentage of the population to shop/dine with the establishment offering it - 1.4million people work in the NHS alone, so once you add in police etc. A large percentage of households will be eligible for the discounts. I don’t think they’re largely meant as a “payback” but may be packaged as such.... maybe I’m just cynical

There’s no point moaning though is there? If some one gets an added bonus, it doesn’t take away from you.

I have a public sector job, and have worked full time from him with my two kids at home and as a single parent. I don’t get any special bonuses either, and nor should I!

*from home

No more critical in covid than at any other time. He does IT for their website, nothing to do with getting water to the consumer though

I think you're conflating NHS staff discounts which have always been around and available, with some sort of national hero worship complex and a side of bitterness that the people who kept the water flowing through your tap also sent their kids to school.

I know teachers have had it tough, but it's not a race to the bottom.

If you want the discount that those occupations have access to, then sign up for those jobs and enjoy the “perks”