Forced back into work

[AbbieMummy]

Hi I've not done this before but I can't find any answers to my question anywhere so I was hoping someone can help me!
I work through an agency but throughout the lockdown I've been lucky enough to have the benefits of a permanent employee and have been on furlough. However, from the 15th June my employer are ending furlough for everyone and making everyone come back into work or you'll be let go. I've got a 2 year old and his nursery is closed, I'm not classed as a key worker either. Usually my family and his Dad's family look after him around nursery, however I'm not sure if they're allowed to do this under the current circumstances? He'd have to go to various family members due to their own work commitments and I just don't know if this is okay or not! I obviously don't want to loose my job however I don't want to break guidelines either. I live in Wales and I'm at a bit of a dead end trying to find any answers!
I'd really appreciate any advice or anyone that's in a similar circumstance? xxx

What’s the position with his Dads work? Is he able to work from home?

If your normal nursery is closed can you not look at others/childminders on a temporary basis until things get slightly more normal and your other nursery opens back up.

Technically the rules would state your family member couldn’t look after your child due to it being a mix of households etc.

Nurseries aren't just for keyworkers anymore, they could open from 1st of this month, good luck.

His Dad isn't able to help due to his own work commitments, I've spoken to his nursery and they haven't got any plans to open anytime soon. So it's looking like I'll either have to loose my job or send him to family which is far from what I want :(

Write to your MP and ask for advice. On 3 June, the PM said employers "have to be to be reasonable and if someone can't get childcare then that is clearly a reason for them not to be able to go back to work".

Obviously he didn't say what exactly this means or how it's to be achieved, so he needs to explain.

I think most Employers will be reasonable and offer parental leave etc, You probably wont be paid though.

We're in a similar position, trying to juggle work and childcare when it was grandparents that used to do this for us. They are not in the high risk group but have been advised that we can't use them at the moment. This may not help but we are trying to petition for informal childcare to be reinstated for exactly this reason. Sign and share if you are able. chng.it/5Fqq8c6q

Have you both explained the situation to your work and what have they suggested?
Can either of you work from home?
Can you work shifts at different times?
Take annual leave (paid)
Parental leave (unpaid)
Find another nursery / childminder?
Are your family members in a vulnerable group? If not then I would ask them for childcare rather than lose my job.

Hi op
Mu organisation have just made it clear that furlough ends for everyone in a few weeks
You will be expected to work at home or in the office but only if absolutely no way you would be able to work at home- is there any way of you working at home

Wfh is not great when you have kids....im in this situation it stinks. So my emoloyer is saying unpaid leave, parental leave, annual leave etc but were not paying you to not work basically

My personal circumstances ill be ok but so many of my team/dept wont be and loads of colleagues- mostly women- will quit...one has already its awful

If you haven't already, might be worth asking if they will continue your furlough until nurseries in Wales reopen. I wouldn't hesitate to use family around that though; needs must.