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?

@cutie101
I am a psychologist. We did not count as key workers so you will be pleased to hear that none of my 4 children have been able to benefit from a single day in the classroom since March and at no point have we been able to get a staff discount or a special shopping slot. Neither were we furloughed so no "holiday". We have just worked from home as much as we can and done the best we can.

Nrtft, but it is up to you OP to go online and find the best deals for cars; or negotiate the price with your car dealer! You can always ask for an ex demo or pre-registered car!

However, afaik, car dealers don’t make the profit on selling an individual car; but rather the bonus they get for reaching the target number of cars sold; and these days, the money is made on the finance?

However, I am sick of these threads with comparatively well paid professionals In secure jobs, complaining they should get a discount as a key worker - while those living in poverty, like struggling single parents, those on benefits, etc who can least afford it, are expected to pay full price!

There are discounts for teachers, there have been discounts for the NHS and the emergency services etc for absolutely years. The additional ones for the NHS are not that much to about about really. Also you did receive a full wage so just pay full price for things.

In what way are you harmed by someone else getting a discount? How does that have a negative impact on your life?

However, I am sick of these threads with comparatively well paid professionals In secure jobs, complaining they should get a discount as a key worker - while those living in poverty, like struggling single parents, those on benefits, etc who can least afford it, are expected to pay full price!

I know, it's pathetic isn't it.

The “random admin” person has enabled me to do my job - without her I simply couldn’t get through the workload I do.

I'm a teacher and I've worked for the NHS OP. On balance I'd far rather teach because IME the NHS treats its non-HCP staff like crap and there is way too much waste on Band 7+ posts (not nurses). I'm not at all happy with the conditions that teachers are expected to return under but at least I know my employer values me - that said I wouldn't have felt the same about other schools I've worked in.

How do you know how people's jobs have been impacted though?

Neither me or DH are classed as key workers but our jobs have been hugely affected by the pandemic. We both work for universities and our workload increased instantly and hasn't relented at all. Yes we've been able to WFH but doing that with a 5 year old who needs homeschooling has pretty much broken both of us.
If we have had the option of school we'd have used it without a second thought.

You sound really bitter- like my friend who is a key worker but thinks all non- key workers have just had a 5 month holiday.

Which car showroom? Asking for a friend

Be grateful for what you have , not what you think others have .

www.discountsforteachers.co.uk/

Is it a competition now?

As a key worker you also get the benefits you are moaning about others receiving! Some teachers have WFH or done little whilst others, as you have, worked hard. The same applies to some in the NHS, some have had little to do others lots.

The discounts/benefits etc are grouped to make it easier to process use the scheme.

Some moaning since you get the same benefits. There are millions of people who qualify for little in a far worse position.

I wonder if there are any 'random admins' in among the 50% rise of those with depression; doubting their worth to wider society because of posts like yours. We are all human beings with value irrespective of what we do or don't do for a living. It never ceases to amaze me how much division we seem able to create between each other but this one has to be one of the most damaging.

Can't get worked up about it tbh. Every job has pros and cons to it, why the hell are we pitting ourselves against each other? Why specifically nurses v. teachers? Why not architects v. plumbers?
Nothing in life is equal or fair, we all just middle along doing the best we can. Comparison is the thief of joy and all that....

IT departments have been working flat out to enable WFH, keep payment portals up and running through increased demand, keep home shopping websites up and running like Tesco and Asda by upgrading servers and VPNs etc.

The infrastructure was not in place for the huge number of people suddenly working, shopping and paying bills from home. And now it is in place it didn't get there by magic.

I imagine if the 'only admin' NHS workers didn't work then PPE wouldn''t be ordered (whoever does that) and paid for (accountants), the staff on the front line wouldn't be paid etc etc....

You need to look at your life and see what you have not look at others with jealously for what you think they have

Plus my cynical mind has always assumed the discounts for NHS is based on companies wanting revenue from a large employer, rather than some great benevolent act.

I just can't believe that someone honestly believes that an IT worker in a water company isn't a critical employee.

Our IT and admin teams have essentially kept my university up and running.

It sounds like you've taken on a massive workload due to corona. I know our local school (primary) has a few kids but they're basically just watching them, aren't sending out any work for children not attending. As a result the teachers are working a lot less hours between them, I know this because our neighbour works there.

I don't think what you're doing is normal, it's far too much work and I would be frustrated too, could you talk to the head about it?

Jesus. Everyone in the NHS has a massive role in keeping it moving. Im sure you'll be happy to wait if you need a referral and your GP has to find the time to do the the backwards and forwarding to the hospital. Or those admin staff could just do it for you? Any way no NHS staff have been furloughed. We have all had to work throughout , no working from home. Many of us contemplated quiting as our work load was incredibly huge and juggling that with 3 children who were not getting taught at school (teachers just watching films with the kids) was incredibly hard. I am not admin but not as important as a nurse or doctor. Honestly you need a good shake.

My admin job has been crucial, without me teams wouldn't have had ppe. I may not be in critical care but my job was to support. You sound very bitter

Random NHS admin here who struggles to make ends meet normally so extremely grateful to Morrison’s for our 10% discount - which ends in September. Although if I could get a full time post in store I could use their 15% staff discount but alas all posts are part time and I couldn’t manage on those hours....
Are you jealous of Morrisons staff now?

I have no doubt that you have worked hard through this pandemic, and it sounds like you may be struggling a bit now which is understandable. It is not fair to compare your job's importance others in the way you have though.

I have also worked and put myself at risk throughout, and am not currently enjoying a 6 week holiday as most teachers are, but that is because of the career I chose, so I'm not going to start complaining about it or saying I deserve 6 weeks off. Everyone has their own struggles and different careers come with different benefits. Maybe people need to start supporting and appreciating each other!

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

Nice attempts at a back track there, but it is still a critical job.

You probably get pissed off if MN or Amazon goes down, now imagine you have no water and need to get in touch with the Water company, report a problem, check what the problem is, pay your bill. You’d be ok with their website not working?

How, in this day and age, can people not understand IT is a critical service - yes even “just” the website. It is the backbone of industry and the sooner people see that, the better.