What is the difference between an essential worker & a critical worker ?! Are they the same thing?

[PullingHairEverywhere]

The primary school my DC’s go to have requested additional evidence that I am a “critical worker”. I obtained a generic statement from my work however it says I am an essential worker as my role you cannot do at home and we are running on a 24/7 basis. I work in manufacturing/production and my company are not offering furlough. The head teacher has replied saying the statements are too vague and they need my name, job role and working hours on this statement then they will review it. Because it’s manufacturing I can’t do my role at home. SO what can I do here ??! I was furloughed last summer for 7 months but I’ve been back since October ! Me personally - I don’t think my business is essential (we make car parts), but we are still operating.

Please tell me your thoughts here....

AIBU in wanting to tel the head teacher she is being unreasonable asking for MORE evidence ?

The school aren’t being awkward at all. This is supposed to be a lockdown and yet every business and it’s dog has decided it’s essential this time round and so every parent still wants to send their children to school, which means schools are still really busy, defeating the purpose of locking down and ‘closing’ schools.

Yes she did... they appear to have been very strict.... I know my GDs little friend whose dad works for a car manufacturer in Liverpool was refused a place as not considered a critical worker ...... think it depends on the school.
My daughter only wanted to send GD 2 days a week.... but was told 5 days or nothing..... so she’s back in full time.... hope things work out for you

The guidance is clear on that link. You are not a critical worker and therefore not eligible for a place at school. Have you other childcare options?

It's FOOD production

I agree - companies are putting everyone in an awkward position. I have no idea what to do as my company don’t want to furlough.

If the reality is you engineer some sort of shiny chrome bit on a jaguar your employer is taking the piss really aren't they
I thought the guidance was 'you must work from home if you can'
Clearly this business cant so I don't see how they 'are taking the piss!'

The school aren't being awkward. There may be staff off due to shielding etc, which would mean that there are less places to go round. They are acting on government advice and are perfectly within their rights to ask for this info. I do get that it's frustrating though.

The guidance isn’t clear. You must work from home if you can, but I can’t ? But I can’t work from home, I doubt I’m classed as a key worker from what others are saying on this thread.... there must be others in a similar situation

@PullingHairEverywhere

The guidance isn’t clear. You must work from home if you can, but I can’t ? But I can’t work from home, I doubt I’m classed as a key worker from what others are saying on this thread.... there must be others in a similar situation

The guidance about working from home if you can is separate to whether you are eligible for a school place.

As I said above, all those working in construction obviously can’t work from home but aren’t eligible for school places as they aren’t essential workers

Copied from the guidance:
Critical workers
Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined in the following sections. Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required, but parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.
Note it says 'can' go to school, not that school are obliged to create a space. By saying your work must be 'critical' to the COVID/Brexit response it is in fact very restrictive, but many have not read the small print. It also does not say that eg everybody who works in health care is critical. It has put heads and schools in the awkward position of having to interpret the government bad news and has successfully put parents and school against each other instead of directing anger toward those responsible. So speaks a head battered and bruised by the level of parental anger directed at me today.
I hope you manage to get sorted, OP.

With regard to your last post there tho. You can go to work if you can't work from home BUT you only qualify for a school place if you are a critical worker. This is where employers need to have some understanding as we need to have more people staying at home wherever possible.

The difference is a critical worker is key to the vivid response. Doctor, nurse, supermarket staff, care worker etc. It’s a narrower definition and seems to be what your school are applying as they are oversubscribed. Just because you work out of the house doesn’t make you a critical worker. Food production is on the list but not other production, you aren’t classed as critical. Doesn’t matter what your employer says.

My DDs school aren't checking at all, there are plenty of parents sending their kids in who are homeworking or not actually a keyworkers but still having to go out to work. It's frustrating as 18 out 30 kids are in school from my daughters class alone. The head has asked people if they really need the space but hasn't done any checks.

As someone who goes out to work I can see why you need the space but you wouldn't meet the criteria so it sounds like the school may take away the place.

I assume critical workers are health related NHS staff, doctors, nurses, care staff etc paramedic.... if they aren’t at work, people will die, that’s how important they are!

Key works like post office, bank staff etc... whilst important, it’s not life or death.

Bank staff and post office staff are listed as critical

Doesn't sound like your entitled to a school place. You can form a childcare bubble instead if that helps.

You aren't a critical worker. I work in manufacturing too (furniture) and it's not on the list.

My DS is in school only because his dad is a key worker so we are allowed a place, otherwise I'd have had to quit my job. It's unfair.

The school is in a very difficult position, I have sympathy with a headteacher who has got to the stage that she has to ask this. They’re probably regretting not being stricter when offering places.

You need to provide the head with whatever she asks for and accept the decision that is made. The school isn’t open at the moment for the benefit of private companies and their staff.

Not all production is key work, only things like food and medicine.

Your company are right to stay open, as the guidelines say go to work if you can't work from home.

School is right to question you, as you're clearly not a critical worker from the government list.

Tricky one, can't be furloughed, but not entitled to school place

@Kitkat151

Bank staff and post office staff are listed as critical

I should look at the list really 😂

Look on the working families website....it has info on what to do if your firm refuse to furlough you if you can’t find childcare...... my friend found it really helpful..... her employer had initially said they wouldn’t furlough her..... but then had a change of heart and agreed to furlough her for a percentage of her hours ( I don’t think lack of childcare was a potential reason for furlough last time.....but it is in this lockdown)

I think potentially you are a critical worker under this part of the criteria:

"This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response and EU transition"

Surely a manufacturer of car parts is keeping road transport modes operating?

@FrogOfFrogHall
I think that is aimed more at utility companies and services such as road maintenance rather than car part manufacturers. Just my interpretation though.

"This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response and EU transition"

I read that as people involved in maintaining the infrastructure and keeping routes flowing, not manufacturing new cars.