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Original poster

Crap. Schools closing. What am I going to do about work?

126 replies

Eek2020 · 18/03/2020 14:53

I know I’m not the only one in this situation but I’m panicking after meeting with my manager at lunchtime.

Lone parent to 11yo with additional needs. Live rurally and at other end of country from family.

NHS acute physiotherapist. I moved here and picked this job as it was Mon to Fri and school hours. My child goes to a holiday club during school breaks which is currently closed due to CV.

I’m apparently not an essential worker according to our school as not nursing or a doctor. If they do decide to permit children of essential workers to continue attending until Easter hols, mine won’t be included.

Applied for 2 weeks block of parental leave today. Manager refused it in writing ASAP due to “current service demands” and instead offered me alternative dates within 4 months, as per our local policy.

Can’t work from home as all my patients are inpatients.

Manager has basically said it’s up to me to arrange childcare alternatives. Because I can anticipate the schools closing, I won’t be given emergency dependents leave as I could have planned ahead for childcare given that I have had a few days notice about schools closing.

My child’s friends’ parents not wanting to babysit, understandably, due to my close contact with elderly patients everyday and the effect it might have on their families.

What can I do?

Oh. Annual leave also being refused at this time due to current service demands.

OP posts:
Mrhodgeymaheg · 18/03/2020 15:01

I'm not sure what they expect you to do. You have told them the situation and the ball is in their court now. All this is encouraging is people to call in sick and then nobody works at all.

Seventyone72seventy3 · 18/03/2020 15:04

They are going to have to be more flexible as this is not a normal situation and you can't just magic up childcare!

andannabegins · 18/03/2020 15:07

Well then you have a temperature and have to self isolate for 2 weeks don't you?

tootiredtoconga · 18/03/2020 15:07

Speak to your union ASAP.

MangePasTesOnglesVilain · 18/03/2020 15:07

Surely they will need chest physios? Even if that's not your speciality I'm sure you'd be better placed than most to train up? Then school would have to look after dc

Forgone90 · 18/03/2020 15:09

Just had an email saying anyone who cant work because of childcare has to take emergency unpaid leave if they have no holiday... this is why it was important for schools to stay open as long as possible.

Lotuscup563 · 18/03/2020 15:11

If your not needed because your not a murder or doctor so won’t get the childcare...then why can’t you take your holiday? Most places are making their workers take holiday now.

Lotuscup563 · 18/03/2020 15:11

Nurse! Not murder Shock

NoBoojustNo · 18/03/2020 15:12

I'd assume you'd BE an essential worker.

You don't come off a ventilator and that's it, you need an acute physiotherapist in your recovery!

Lotuscup563 · 18/03/2020 15:13

You need to take annual leave...not sure what that’s being refused?? Or pay for childcare.

Pumpkinpie1 · 18/03/2020 15:13

Have you been in touch with contact or similar as the carer of a child with SEN you have additional rights and your employer must make reasonable adjustments
My understanding is you have an additional special leave entitlements

Poppydaisies · 18/03/2020 15:14

I agree - they need to allow you to take paid or unpaid leave.

Michelleoftheresistance · 18/03/2020 15:15

If you're an acute physio working with inpatients can you go back to school and argue about essential/direct care nhs personnel, with back up from your manager/dept head if needed? Those inpatients are about to need your expertise a whole lot more than usual in the next few weeks.

Pumpkinpie1 · 18/03/2020 15:17

Have you spoken to your union?

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 18/03/2020 15:17

Ha murder!!

But seriously, how can the school decide who is essential to the NHS? Could you request a letter from your boss saying you are essential and maybe then they'd admit your kids to school?

I'd be the same according to their rules. I work in microbiology - the department that tests for the bloody virus!!!

(Admittedly I don't personally test for it, but my work colleagues do)

Four4me · 18/03/2020 15:23

Can you get you line manager to draft a letter to school to explain that as a physiotherapist you are a vital member of staff in the healthcare system and therefore have the same childcare requirements as the dr/nurses.

I'm a physiotherapist and we are all moving to other areas depending on our skill set. The recovering patients will all require vital rehab to get people discharged successfully to help with bed availability.

Original poster
Eek2020 · 18/03/2020 15:27

Thanks everyone. Not part of a union unfortunately. From other posts, I see that schools have different criteria as to what counts as being “essential”.

I have no annual leave until new year starts in April and we’re not allowed to take it in April anyway due to current service demands.

Our usual out of hours childcare is shut. I can try phoning round childminders this evening but I don’t know that they’ll have space at such short notice. They’ll be in high demand anyway if still operating as usual.

I think my best bet is to try to get the school to understand that although I’m not a doctor or a nurse, I’m still needed to help get people home and stop acute beds from being clogged up.

Thanks for the advice. I might also ask my manager to write a letter of support if the school don’t budge in their stance.

OP posts:
JudyCoolibar · 18/03/2020 15:31

Can you get your manager to write explaining why you're essential?

TabbyStar · 18/03/2020 15:32

How absolutely ridiculous, and I'm sure not what the government intends - contact your MP - call their constituency office if you can.

GreyishDays · 18/03/2020 15:33

I think your manager and the school need to agree between them. Can you just push it to them?

Four4me · 18/03/2020 15:34

The email from the CSP that we received yesterday has a helpline number on.

I'm sure there are lots of us in this situation and our role in the critical care and hospital rehab setting is often misunderstood. The CSP may be willing to inform school of the importance of you being at work, childcare requirements.
Good luck

nocoolnamesleft · 18/03/2020 15:35

Can your line manager tell the school that you are essential? If you can do chest physio, it'll be true!

Seventyone72seventy3 · 18/03/2020 15:35

Why does the school get to decide who is essential? Surely the NHS should decide.

Ohnoducks · 18/03/2020 15:37

Whereabouts are you? I have a friend who is a doctor, also runs a nanny agency, it's not top end prices like many imagine and most of her customers are working professionals not the super rich, it may be an option to look into nanny agencies in your area.

MrsNettle · 18/03/2020 15:42

This talk of opening schools to essential workers only is nonsense. A lot of people seem to think it is only doctors and nurses. What about cleaners, catering staff, receptionists, hospital and store security, warehouse workers, anyone working in food production, distribution and shopnfloor staff too. Someone needs to process their wages, etc. so admin staff too. I could go on and on.
That's why closing schools before having anything in place childcare wise and also making provision for children on free meals was stupid. It's not that there was no warning🙄
I really hope that you will get something sorted OP x

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