To think accountancy isn't a "keyworker" job?

[hannabull]

One of the parents at school is a self employed accountant who works from home, but sending kids into school. The other parent works out of the home (not a key worker) how is this allowed? Claims to be an essential worker (doesn't work for the nhs or anything, just accounts for small businesses)

@Winterwoollies

Oh OP. You’ve obviously never been self employed or run a business. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I agree, that's exactly how they come across.

I'd say accounts is essential work.

Given the NHS and other public services are paid for with tax money, I’d say it’s pretty essential to make sure that tax is paid!

The list is here

The closest one is probably

"staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)"

It doesn't sound like it covers a small business accountant, but maybe the school has been told something about his job that the OP is unaware of. Or maybe he's just a chancer.

Has extending the deadline been discussed at all?

Oh OP. You’ve obviously never been self employed or run a business.

You're missing my point. This person works from home, and is no busier than many other home based office workers. I don't see why they are taking up school spaces when the least kids in school, the better.

I am expecting a cheque for fees I receive, could get a bit awkward if the accountant isn’t available to authorise it.

For the people moaning that accountants are not key workers.. you would be furious that my place of work gave me a key worker letter and our whole team.
I work for a financial institution but I’m not an accountant or even close.
I’m working from home and I still need to complete my hours so I have sent my son to school. My work still has to be done.

OP - has it occurred to you that they are lying to save face? That their child has gone to school because they are classed as vulnerable in some way but the parent is hiding behind "key worker" rather than invite people like you in to their business to judge them about why their child has been given a place at school due to being vulnerable.

You never fully know what's going on with others. Its hard for some people to admit problems.

@hannahbull

Oh OP. You’ve obviously never been self employed or run a business.

You're missing my point. This person works from home, and is no busier than many other home based office workers. I don't see why they are taking up school spaces when the least kids in school, the better.

Because it’s easier for them to do their work when they don’t have to home school on top of that.

@ceeveebee give over, nobody likes a martyr.

OP - Get a grip, stop snooping in other peoples business.

What have we become as a society where we get to decide who's job is 'key' and who's isnt.

Pathetic

How many more of these threads? Mind your own businesses OP. The school can decide who requires a place, not you.

YABU, sorry

www.cipp.org.uk/resources/news/payroll-key-workers.html

This is from the government's list of key workers which is always worth a read before coming on MN judgementally:

*This includes:

staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)*

[quote CaptainSandy]@ceeveebee give over, nobody likes a martyr.[/quote]
Like I give a fuck if you like me

No one will like it when lockdown goes on until April and schools remain closed until after Easter because of those who bend the rules to suit them

Definitely essential.
As an employer, I rely on my accountant to do all the necessary paperwork on a weekly basis and this includes furloughing employees.

dh is an accountant, and has been given essential employee status by his employer. this is because he's currently working on a project for their biggest client which has specific deadlines. We're not in full lockdown here (channel islands) but if/when it happens and if the dc's nursery only has space for essential employees then we will be ok. trying to work from home last time with two under 3 was an absolute nightmare. So i'm grateful that we have this option if needed.

Most peoples jobs are key. Hundreds of thousands of people are working from home alongside homeschooling their kids whilst doing these key jobs. Most people are not furloughed and have been doing their jobs the whole time and provide a crucial service to someone. The difference is, only those who absolutely have to should be sending kids to school. These are critical workers who need to work outside the home. So if you are a nurse working in a hospital you and your partner is a firefighter, you obviously need a key worker place. If you simply want to send your kids to school to have a bit of peace and quiet while you work on your computer then no, I'm sorry what makes that person any different.

My sister and brother in law are both accountants. Both working from home and not using a key worker place. 95% of their work can be done at home. Yes, it's inconvenient having the kids home but they are at home so this pandemic can end more quickly and less people die. Because they are not selfish.

The government have released a new list for schools of Critical Workers. It’s very broad(my admin job is on it)

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

I would not have classified a small business accountant as a ‘key worker’ either.

It’s an important job, but non-key-workers still have to work, the expectation is they can work an interrupted, longer day from home.

Our school is pulling teachers away from live teaching the home school kids as they have too many key worker kids now, they had two a day first lockdown.

So now homeschool kids are suffering more because of parents bending the rules to suit them

DH and I are both accountants and worked through lockdown but don't qualify as key workers. Our nursery would possibly have accepted DS2 as I could potentially stretch the definition as I'm in the FE sector now but no point ripping the arse out of these things. None of our friends who are accountants have taken the places (variety of industries from utilities to IT).

It's tough going but we're used to long hours and can WFH so even if classed as a key worker we shouldn't be taking those places anyway.

Are you coming back OP?