Confused about key workers

[HforHavana]

Might get flamed for this but I am struggling to understand everyone kicking off about who is and who isn't a key worker.

No business unless hospitality, beauty etc have been told to close. Manufacturing, construction, fast food takeaway, warehousing etc are all allowed to stay open. No business is going to close voluntarily and carry on losing money.

Someone who works in say a car manufacturing plant, no their job is not a 'essential', but they still need to go to work as they can't work from home. They can't just decide to stay off because kids are off school, so why is everyone up in arms about them sending their kids into school? They have a family to feed, of course they are going to go to work!

I think a lot of what people say aren't key are misunderstood. I know a lot of lorry drivers struggled in the first lockdown as no cast food places were open and they were living in cold sandwiches for days in end or going miles and miles without having a toilet break etc. I think a lot of jobs are misunderstood

It does make me sad to see anger directed at the employees when really they can only do what their employer will allow as they all have bills to pay. I think the government need to be firmer on employers that come up with very silly reasons to get people into the office. Last lockdown we had everyone working from home with 1 person in the office at a time (typically IT) and about 75% of employees furloughed. Flexible hours were also put in place for parents having to homeschool their children. This lockdown we have people going into the office, only 1 person furloughed and no flexible hours in place for childcare. None of us are classed as essential workers but we are still expected to work without the interruption of childcare. I just don't understand what an individual person is supposed to do with no power at all and bills to pay.

If you are not a key worker and have childcare issues due to school closures you need to ask to be put on furlough until they open again. That is what the scheme is for and why Sunak extended it into this year!
You will get 80% salary from the government. Decent employers will top that up to 100%.
I'm not saying this is easy or convenient but it is what the Government rules / guidance say and the only way this lockdown isn't going to last into the summer.

I can't be furloughed - I have asked, and I work in a take-away and have a key-worker letter. I do not class myself as essential, and I wouldn't dream of taking a space in school and thankfully don't need to BUT I can see how some people feel like they have no choice. Employers do not have to furlough anyone - although they have been told to do the right thing.