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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can’t work due to children off school . Will I get fired ? Will I get paid ?

43 replies

Tigertigertigertiger · 05/01/2021 20:13

I work part time as a receptionist.
Schools are closed and my mum who sometimes lookS after my kids has said she can’t look after them .
I have no one else to ask . I can’t afford childcare.
My husband can’t stop his work.
We will struggle to get by without my wage

I can’t work. I can’t get furloughed. ( specifics of my workplace )
What do I do ?

aIBU to ask to still get paid ? If so what do I do ?
What are others doing in this situation? I can’t be the only one.

OP posts:
infinitediamonds · 05/01/2021 20:16

I just found out this time its unpaid leave only if we don't have childcare, although in my case its because my employer thinks all critical worker's children will be entitled to a school place. Unfortunately I can't get one child a school place. So I'm about to request unpaid leave I guess!

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 05/01/2021 20:16

Is there any of your work you can do from home? Lots of our admin and reception staff are working remotely with phones diverted to mobiles and only coming in maybe one day per week, can your husband do any flexi time to look after the children, do you have any actual leave owing? You can request furlough if the answer to the above is no, but they don't have to agree it

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 05/01/2021 20:17

Annual

SnackSizeRaisin · 05/01/2021 20:18

Why can't you get furloughed? Government says it's fine for childcare reasons even if the business is doing well.

PatchworkElmer · 05/01/2021 20:18

Rinse your holiday?
Work from home?
Or form a childcare bubble with another family, who might need childcare on the days you don’t work?

This sounds really tough though Flowers

infinitediamonds · 05/01/2021 20:18

If its in any way government funded then they can't furlough.

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 05/01/2021 20:20

Can you not work because you have to be physically present in your workplace to do your work?
Is there any way you could do part or any of your role from home or any other similar role from home? Is there any way you can work any different hours?
You have to talk to your work. Most workplaces will agree to flexible working if possible eg changing role slightly or hours etc but of course in some jobs this is not possible. If you can come up with any solutions this will help. If not possible then could you take some holiday, your husband take some holiday and then either emergency unpaid parental leave for a few weeks, or is there anyone with similar age children that you can form a childcare bubble with so that you can take turns and look after each others children whilst on holiday? Any people you know who are on furlough who would help you out?

DianaT1969 · 05/01/2021 20:34

Ask for unpaid leave or use annual leave. You could pay for a childminder from your family income, even if it means short term debt, if it enables you to keep your job. Finding a childminder with capacity will be hard. Are there any other members of your family willing to do it for pay?

Original poster
Tigertigertigertiger · 06/01/2021 01:31

Thanks everyone so far.
I absolutely can’t get furloughed and I can’t work from home.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tigertigertigertiger · 06/01/2021 01:32

I really appreciate you taking time to give advice

OP posts:
Leobynature · 06/01/2021 01:38

Could you approach the school/head with your difficulties and ask them to consider having the kids attend. It will not be in your children’s best interests if their mum looses her job.

GrettaGreen · 06/01/2021 01:44

I really do empathise but please don't ask can you not go to work but still be paid. Even if you are in an awful situation, you'll look like a proper piss taker asking that.

happystone · 06/01/2021 02:06

Can you get a doctors note

Bringallthebiscuits · 06/01/2021 05:06

At my work they’ve given three options: 1) take annual leave, 2), unpaid leave, 3) talk to HR about temporary reductions of hours (with adjusted pay).

Pumpertrumper · 06/01/2021 05:45

I have a baby and an intensive care doctor for a DH... you can imagine how ‘my responsibility’ our childcare is!

Mat leave ended at Christmas but I’ve managed to drop my hours and use built up annual leave to take a few months off. Honestly it’s just down to my employers being really really understanding.

I’m very grateful as is have had to quit otherwise.
I can WFH but how much can you do with an under one? (Who only naps 1.5 hours a day)

Tobebythesea · 06/01/2021 05:53

What does your DH do? Why is it just you that has to find a solution?

Loftyloft · 06/01/2021 06:02

You are now allowed to form a childcare bubble. Can you bubble up with another family in similar position; so that you can at least go to work half the time?

I agree contact the school and explain your situation. Depending on the school they may offer a place.

joystir59 · 06/01/2021 06:12

How old are your children- can you leave them home alone while you work? I think families facing financial ruin in these unusual circumstances should consider this option. Lots of children could step up, grow up, and cope with being responsible if left home alone.

Bakeachocolatecake2day · 06/01/2021 06:16

I think the one thing that would annoy me as an employer is the "my husband can't stop his work" statement.

You can't expect your employer to pick up all the slack and your husband's employer none.

It's unpaid or annual leave.

upsidedownwavylegs · 06/01/2021 07:20

I think we can assume the children are too young to be left home alone safely. Why can’t your husband help at all? Is there any chance of appealing your case to your mum? I know it’s ultimately her choice but desperate times, desperate measures. I’d also speak to the school and explain your situation, but only once you’ve explored every other option. (Also, I don’t think there are any new paid childcare options right now, but even so - when you say “I can’t afford childcare” I hope you mean “we can’t afford childcare”, paying for it would not just be your responsibility!)

Monkeytapper · 06/01/2021 07:25

I am a part time receptionist ( work wed pm and Thursday and Fridays) the school have offered me a place for my son on the full days as I can’t work from home.
My husband works away mon-fri so unable to look him.

Monkeytapper · 06/01/2021 07:34

Is your husband WFH and how old are your kids? If he is WFH then he will just have to try his best to manage them, BBC are doing lessons again from Monday at 9am, would that help?

www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2020/bbc-launches-biggest-education-offer-ever?fbclid=IwAR0HPABDpRQ4xY8baYMkQhGibn3R1RkxQ5ftWJB__s7bnyui1Qx7Uc96oyY

satnighttakeaway · 06/01/2021 07:35

@happystone

Can you get a doctors note
For what? She's not I'll in any way
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 06/01/2021 07:39

What about your husband? Can he be furloughed or work flexibly?

We've had an issue with my DC nursery where the staff were saying they can't come in due to their own children being off school, and their husbands basically expecting to do zero homeschool.

That wont wash with any employer - if you are with your children's father, they will be expected to compromise their work and share the responsibility equally with you.

WestSideBoom · 06/01/2021 07:48

I would absolutely contact your child's school and explain your situation to them. You can't afford to not work.

There is a lot of criticism here on MN about people 'taking keyworker places' but in the real world schools are a lot more understanding.

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