What would you think if you read this notice on the back of your staff loo door?

[Diditopknot]

“2021 There will be no hospital taxis provided on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day”

There are no buses running on Christmas Day.
To give you context, this is a hospital.
Now overwhelmed by covid and usual winter issues on top.
The nurses start at 7.30 finish at 9pm. Night shift 8.45 til 8

There is no visiting again due to covid so not sure why this has been hidden in a loo, there’s no one to see what a shit thing this is for many nurses who rely on buses to get to work.
It’s the one relief working on Christmas Day that at least you can get home to your family without paying inflated taxi prices.
Those that drive still have to pay to park on Christmas Day or they will be fined.
The nurses are trying to sort out lifts from each other a week before their shift.

Just to add, there are very few nurses, staffing is horrendous so it will be a very low bill for the hospital.

I saw the very exclusive garden centre staff out cutting the grass and trimming the hedges again this week at the hospital…wonder how much that’s costing the hospital?
What about having the garden centre staff come 10 months of the year and using the other 2 months to pay for Christmas Day taxis.
As long as the package is pretty, doesn’t matter what’s going on behind doors does it?

It beggars belief.
What would you think?
Put yourself in the shoes of that nurse reading that, on your knees covering extra shifts all year due to sickness and staff leaving in droves. Facing the start of the 3rd wave. Rubber mask making marks on your face, no break again for the 2nd shift in a row.

@Justkeeppedaling

Transport paid for by the employer is a taxable benefit, not a perk. I assume the hospital staff are all declaring it for tax.

Say what??

I think it's appalling that anyone has to pay to park at a hospital, just shocking. I'm sorry they're not laying on taxis for you, knowing tat there are no buses. Being a non driver is hard I think in any job, especially one like yours - is it possible for you to learn to drive? It would probably make such a difference to your life.

We always pay for taxis for our care hone staff on Christmas Day if they have no alternative. We have struggled to actually get them this year as there are barely an taxis available. All the drivers have left apparently to deliver food for supermarkets etc . Is that the issue?

I use public transport for work. If it's not running, my work pays for a taxi.

I think it's terrible they've done that to you

@AnotherOneWithNoGoodName

I’m going to be blunt and there’s no nice way to say this. NHS staff have had secure work all through the pandemic. Most won’t have had job losses, reduced pay, furlough etc. This post is in bad taste.

There are plenty of vacancies in the NHS, including for those without experience or qualifications in healthcare, people can apply if they want the job security :)

@RussianSpy101

I would think that the staff should sort their own transport like everyone else has to do.

A lot of places do sort transport out for their staff when they cannot travel in because public transport isn't running though.

If it’s not referring to patient transport, why would you expect your employer to pay for taxis? It’s hardly a unique situation to work on Christmas Day and not have taxis provided (and to do so on minimum wage).

And, yes, our announcements are also included in the Toilet Weekly

I have worked Christmas day in the past.
I have never had my transport paid to and from work.
If at the time I didn't drive/have a car I'd have walked or cycled or got a lift

That’s really shit OP. I’m so sorry that your amazing contribution is so little thought of that you can’t even be given the dignity of a straight forward journey to work on Christmas and NY Days.

I did always think it was unfair though that some people got a free taxi to and from work, but I had to pay for my petrol and parking.

I think it's good they've given you all the heads up in advance do you're not left stranded on the day. Whilst it's shit that a work place privilege has been removed, at least you have some forward warning and can attempt to make alternative arrangements.

I wouldn't be relying on a taxi on those days (free or not), the industry is at breaking point due to driver shortages and drivers being able to pick their own hours. Many won't be out on those days, and most providers will prioritise corporate account holders over Joe Public. You'll either be met with no availability or insane surge pricing.

If in only staff toilets I'd probably assume it's there to not confuse patients, they may think no taxi services in the area are running that day. If it's in general toilets and specifically states anything about being directed at staff and not the general public, I'd probably take it off the bathroom door and stick it somewhere else that everyone will see.

I'm a nurse and have to make my own way to work regardless of if it's Xmas or not. I'm in the private sector. We sort it out amongst ourselves so no one has to pay for a taxi🤷🏻‍♀️Different budgets for different things

@HaaaaaveyoumetTed

I did always think it was unfair though that some people got a free taxi to and from work, but I had to pay for my petrol and parking.

Because it is.

Two people doing the same job, on the same pay. One gets extra and the other pays.

it's a fucking race to the bottom on here, as usual. Miserable twunts going on about 'job security' and 'I have to do it so why shouldn't you?' I hope none of you need help from your local hospital on Christmas day and find it understaffed. I'm sure you'd be on here moaning away quickly enough with nothing in your tiny minds making any sensible connetions.

I’d think it was directed at visitors/patients. Who would inform staff about travel on a toilet door?

Uber are offering NHS staff two free rides up to the value of £10 each and a free meal, up to the value of £10.

@Mrsmch123 do you have to pay for parking?

@Mrsherdwick no we don't.

It’s not a ‘fucking ease to the bottom’ - merely an observation that other workers aren’t ferried around by taxi on Christmas Day and mild bafflement tbat OP thinks she should be 🤷🏼‍♀️

@MyrtlethePurpleTurtle

It’s not a ‘fucking ease to the bottom’ - merely an observation that other workers aren’t ferried around by taxi on Christmas Day and mild bafflement tbat OP thinks she should be 🤷🏼‍♀️

Which other works are at work en masse on Christmas day?

@Tabbacus

Hospitality, security, retail staff (yes, preparing for Boxing Day sales), police, firemen, social services, carers. According to the TUC, (paid) carers are overwhelmingly the largest number of those who work Christmas day - more so than doctors, nurses and HCPs

@ItsSnowJokes

Wow there are some right miserable arses on this thread. You really begrudge a hospital worker a taxi on Christmas day? When no buses, trains or tubes etc.... are running on an already low salary they will have to pay for a taxi that will charge 4x normal rate as its Christmas day. And they wonder why staff are leaving the nhs in record numbers.

Yes we should pay it, especially for people on a low income (HCAs, porters, cleaners etc....) as they are on the rota to work while all of you will most likely be sat at home on your arse with your family. Shame on a lot of you and your race to the bottom.

This

I think that’s awful Op. if they’ve done it in previous years, to cancel it this year is so bad. NHS staff get no bonus, it’s rare they get a present from a happy client or any form of appreciation, a taxi on Christmas Day when you’re working through a pandemic is hardly a huge ask.
Our taxes are paying for smug buffoons to have cheese & wine in lockdown, I’m sure everyone would rather pay for a nurse to get a lift home on Christmas Day.

WHAT THE FUCK

ITS NOT A PERK !!!!

if there is no public transport do you really think all the nurses should lose ALL their salary for a day getting a taxi to the hospital and back

Because that's what it will cost in London

Unbelievable!