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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not understand the animosity towards key workers

299 replies

IsItMeOrThemBeingKnobs · 20/05/2022 21:15

Just seen a newspaper post a story about Asda giving an extra discount to Blue Light Card holders and there are 1000s of comments on it just full of hatred towards key worker discounts and so much “what about me”

I’ve noticed this more and more recently. There was another company advertising a discount to all key workers (so not just blue light card but school staff, anyone that holds a key working role etc) and the comments on that were the same.

This is definitely a new thing since Covid has eased and it makes me feel quite uncomfortable that we begrudge others a job that entitles them to a discount card. I’m pretty sure there are similar employee perks in other organisations, and I know times are really tough for all, but the division it’s causing is quite extreme.

YANBU - it’s bloody weird, you’re right
YABU - screw key workers, what about me

OP posts:
MistyRuins · 20/05/2022 21:17

There are a lot of keyworkers that are well paid. There are a lot of non keyworkers that aren't.

I can understand why people that are struggling feel it's unfair.

DockOTheBay · 20/05/2022 21:17

I find its mainly because people think they are also keyworkers and its not fair that NHS staff get a discount but they don't.

I saw it during lockdown. The local chippy had a discount for NHS staff. Cue loads of comments "I work in a prison and we have been working full time too, can I get a discount", "I'm a childminder and I have to work so that NHS workers can work, can I get a discount" etc etc etc

Everyone wants something for themselves.

DockOTheBay · 20/05/2022 21:18

MistyRuins · 20/05/2022 21:17

There are a lot of keyworkers that are well paid. There are a lot of non keyworkers that aren't.

I can understand why people that are struggling feel it's unfair.

But there's no way to manage this. There's no "minimum wage worker discount", how could there be?

OrlaOrka · 20/05/2022 21:20

I agree with you, as a HCP I’m amazed we are being begrudged a small discount in places. There was no furlough for us. Also I can’t speak for every key worker obviously but working in healthcare doesn’t pay anything in comparison to some of my friends who work in jobs that enable them to wfh such as marketing etc, they make so much more than I ever will

ShirleyPhallus · 20/05/2022 21:20

MistyRuins · 20/05/2022 21:17

There are a lot of keyworkers that are well paid. There are a lot of non keyworkers that aren't.

I can understand why people that are struggling feel it's unfair.

Yes, I agree with this. The “key worker” thing was a rapidly expanding and changing definition after it was only NHS workers entitled to these discounts originally

I think people are really worried about the cost of living increasing and actually wonder who is paying for the discounts to be given to other people. Is this actually coming out of Asda’s profits or will their prices be increasing to cover the discount? If the latter, I see why people think it’s unfair

Beees · 20/05/2022 21:22

MistyRuins · 20/05/2022 21:17

There are a lot of keyworkers that are well paid. There are a lot of non keyworkers that aren't.

I can understand why people that are struggling feel it's unfair.

This sums it up well I think. 2 people I know who have NHS roles and blue light cards earn exceedingly well compared to the rest of our friendship group. They freely admit the discount scheme makes no sense when many who work in just as important jobs could do with the discounts more.

It's not hard to see why some people feel dispondent when they see others recognised and given discounts.

Freddiefox · 20/05/2022 21:23

My brother is a keyworker because he works for the NHS he pushed his way to the front of the queue. All the time while he worked for home.. he’s also on 65k, so he will get the discount

i’m a nursery worker on low wages and won’t get the discount. Worked through covid. Didn’t get to the front of the tesco queue.

I can see why people are a bit hmm

FLOWER1982 · 20/05/2022 21:25

I have an acquaintance who is a key worker. When the pandemic started she let everyone know that she was a key worker, Her husband was a key worker, and how important she was. She appeared to think the weekly clapping was just for her. Thought she was the only one who worked all through lockdown. When she went on holiday had to announce it on social media because her and her husband had worked so hard being key workers and hadn’t had a break in so long. She really did milk it and it has made me despise the term keyworker. I was also a keyworker but never felt the need to announce it to everyone.

So maybe that’s why. Glad I got that off my chest.

Bryonny84 · 20/05/2022 21:25

I'm a cleaner in a school and a sheltered housing scheme. My council considered me a keyworker and I worked all through the pandemic at hubs for other keyworker's children and to care for elderly. I get the blue light discount at asda it isn't just for the NHS. If you work in a considered keyworker role for the council or other employer you can apply for it.

MistyRuins · 20/05/2022 21:25

DockOTheBay · 20/05/2022 21:18

But there's no way to manage this. There's no "minimum wage worker discount", how could there be?

Show quote history

I didn't suggest that there should be, or that there was a way around it.

But I can understand why people on minimum wage and struggling, but don't qualify, would feel a bit annoyed that people earning more than double that do qualify.

People are really struggling.

MindPalace · 20/05/2022 21:26

My friend earns £££ as a hospital consultant. She claims all these discounts. So I can understand why other lower pay workers might feel a bit aggrieved.

CandyApplePie · 20/05/2022 21:27

I understand why it annoys people tbh...

Original poster
IsItMeOrThemBeingKnobs · 20/05/2022 21:27

Yeah I can see it feeling a bit shitty when it’s NHS only, which is why I like the companies with a broader definition of key worker (schools, nursery staff etc) but soooo many comments of
I have to commute into an office every day, what about me?
I’m a private cleaner, do I count?

I think it must be so hard for companies to do the ‘right’ thing that isn’t divisive at the moment.

Really good point re: where the discount comes from (profits or price hiking)!

OP posts:
bagsforlife20 · 20/05/2022 21:27

I think you’re being unreasonable for posting this thread. No one talks about “key workers” in real life (I technically am one btw so not being sarky). Comments on Daily mail (or whichever paper) do not reflect real life.

also it’s not that hard to understand why people are saying “what about me” considering how high the cost of living is at the moment, people are fuming at anyone that has a perceived advantage

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 20/05/2022 21:28

I’m a ‘key worker’ and people are nothing but pleasant when I mention what I do.

Although ‘key worker’ makes me think of people who cut keys for a living. Obviously a cool job but not what I do.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 20/05/2022 21:29

Because plenty of NHS staff earn well over 50k a year.

I can absolutely understand why it stings when you're on minimum wage and paying full price and they're not.

Ineedmorestones · 20/05/2022 21:29

Yabu. It’s nearly always nhs/blue light discount offered from stores.
When does another group of workers get offered a discount?

Right now we could all do with a discount, and fwiw my sil is an nhs worker and earns far better than I do, plus all the added benefits she gets (decent maternity pay, pension, sick pay, 8 weeks holiday). I get no discount, ever.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/05/2022 21:30

The Blue Light Card is open to a lot of roles,.not just NHS & Social Care...

www.bluelightcard.co.uk/

RainbowConnection1 · 20/05/2022 21:31

I didn't even realise that referring to 'key workers' was still a thing! Been ages since I last heard it mentioned.

TheFairyCaravan · 20/05/2022 21:32

DH is a military veteran, he has a Blue Light Card as do both DSes. One is a nurse and one is in the army. We took advantage of the offer at Asda at Christmas time. We’ve just moved, and I’m not sure where the nearest Asda is, so we might not use it this time.

The thing is a line has to be drawn which means some people will always miss out on things.

Original poster
IsItMeOrThemBeingKnobs · 20/05/2022 21:32

Couldn’t the same animosity then be direct at students and their discounts? Most people I know that went to uni were funded by the bank of mum and dad so didn’t need the discounts either…

Not stirring, just genuinely intrigued by the thinking behind it!

OP posts:
Libre2 · 20/05/2022 21:33

Because the term “key worker” unless you’re a locksmith, needs to go back from whence it came. It’s shit. Also “key workers” have a job and are paid. Many people lost jobs during lockdown and many more now are struggling on minimum wage.

I say this as someone married to a “key worker” (not a locksmith).

Topgub · 20/05/2022 21:33

@MistyRuins

I thought the pointvwas it was a 'reward' for the job being done, nothing to do with how well paid they are?

Meh

I'm a bit disillusioned with all the fake gratitude during and post covid that so quickly turned into I cant get my ears syringed I hate the nhs

Georgieporgie29 · 20/05/2022 21:35

We have a lot of civil service buildings around here that sort out nhs benefits, I.e. nhs workers pensions. They technically all work for the nhs (although it’s the government really) and despite working from home during the pandemic they were regularly seen jumping the queues with their nhs lanyards at the supermarket so I do think there was a bit of bad feeling about it in the area where I live.

Original poster
IsItMeOrThemBeingKnobs · 20/05/2022 21:37

Interesting to see the vote is nearly 50/50 so it’s definitely divisive. Also didn’t realise the word keyworker was so contentious either Blush

OP posts:
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