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Original poster

For comparison, How is your work dealing with all this?

120 replies

IsAnybodyListening · 19/03/2020 19:46

Like many others. Getting incredibly anxious.

My work (huge household name with a multi billion turnover) informed us this afternoon we would only be paid in the event of a lockdown. In the meantime, I have several colleagues self isolating who will get statutory sick pay.

With many of my workforce being working parents, and with the schools closing tomorrow, we have also been informed should we need time of due to parental responsibility we will receive no pay-not even eligible for statutory as it's our choice effectively to take care of the dc's.

We all can work from home, however work have only ordered enough secure laptops for possibly one out of every seven people to do so.

There is zero sanitizers at work, and it appears the cleaners aren't coming in anymore.

I have flushed hot and cold today, and mentioned to my boss I have a sore throat. I was told this wasn't a symptom and I was fine. Came home and Dp has similar symptoms. More than likely a cold, but works reaction was worrying, and I quote ''Well if you don't have a high temperature you haven't got it.''

Dreading going in tomorrow. The atmosphere is hideous.

OP posts:
bigchris · 19/03/2020 19:48

Yes same here , interrogated if it's a persistent dry cough , if you're blowing your nose it's a cold, turns out everyone is a doctor Confused

timeforawine · 19/03/2020 19:55

We are being paid if need to be home for childcare and they fully accept you won't be working 100%.
Setting up systems etc to allow almost all the UK work force to work from home (some have such specialised kit/access that they can't), constant updates, a dedicated helpline for queries, they are doing a great job.
I work for a very large insurer

VenusOfWillendorf · 19/03/2020 19:57

Work have been really good. Anyone whos work means they can work from home is required to do so (legal requirement now). As all schools are closed, parents have bern asked to do the best they can, but they are credited for a full working day regardless. If you dont do work that can be done at home but are not a key worker, you are off on full pay. Key workers that are need onsite have been given onsite parking (normally gold-dust!), lots of sanitiser, and canteen being kept open.

I8toys · 19/03/2020 20:00

Work have been good. I work 2 days from home and 3 from the office anyway so have the capability to work from home now. They are good at issuing staff with IT so many of the managerial, admin, finance ie those that can work from a laptop are able to work from home. Those delivering the frontline service though I am not sure how that's going to pan out.

Shylo · 19/03/2020 20:02

I work for a very large insurance broker and my experience is much like tomeforawine’s

All sent home to work unless we cannot; those that don’t have laptops are being issued ASAP - 1,000 this week and 100 every week going forward. Allowed to take all Our IT kit home, including our chairs. Understand that people will have kids at home we aren’t going to have to take leave.

I appreciate that I am so incredibly lucky to be in the position I am; I’m going to continue paying my childminder and cleaner over the coming weeks on the basis I am lucky enough not to be seeing a drop in my salary but people I rely on who are self employed need our support

Animum2 · 19/03/2020 20:02

So far we are all still at work but we have all been given access for remote working from home so I guess that might start next week

Flummingbird · 19/03/2020 20:02

I think my employer (big business but not a household name) are pretending it's not happening. Only 4 or 5 office staff out of 60ish off self isolating so not bad so far. Not a word on what will happen next though. Nobody told to work from home, although not really possible for most of us anyway due to nature of the business.

Someone asked today if they could work reduced hours next week due to kids being off school and struggling for childcare, they looked at her like she had two heads...

isseywith4vampirecats · 19/03/2020 20:03

got an email today Saturday is my last shift closing don't know about pay if I don't get paid from them I wont get a penny in benefits as my OHs pension is above benefit levels

MulticolourMophead · 19/03/2020 20:06

My team does need someone in the office, so we are taking it in turns to work at home. A lot of my work can be done at home, but as they were only just beginning the process of setting up our IT to allow for wfh, we don't all have the required kit yet.

We won't have phones at home, switching to voip was planned but not for a while. So not ideal, but we can work.

Nicknacky · 19/03/2020 20:09

I’m in the police so everything is up in the air, I have been told to submit a uniform request so fully expect to be on patrol soon (been in a specialist department for years). But I’m a police officer first and a detective second so more than happy to muck in and do what needs done. I’m fortunate to be still being paid unlike the disaster of my husbands business.........

I feel for so many people and businesses. I still can’t believe this.

megletthesecond · 19/03/2020 20:12

Surprisingly good. Staff who didn't previously have the option to work from home (which included me) were all packed off home yesterday with a new laptop each.
Lots of IT glitches but we're slowly making headway.

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 19/03/2020 20:12

My employer has been incredibly generous so far....
To all those single parents who are struggling with daytime child care, you can come in and do nights instead
Having said that, we are "key personnel " so should have school places

Uhhmingandahhing · 19/03/2020 20:14

We’re all at home, if we can’t work for whatever reason (including children) we get special (full) paid leave. Being taken very seriously.

Flippinfab40 · 19/03/2020 20:15

Local authority and very fortunately no issues with pay but lots of conflicting messages about what to do. Official message today is, even though we are fully equipped to work from home, unless you or someone in your household have symptoms or you are in vulnerable group, you should be in the office. Despite this, the building and car park are very empty so I think different departments are making their own decisions.

puppymouse · 19/03/2020 20:16

Horrified reading some of these posts. Thanks for all.

Bank here and I can't fault them. Got a bit emotional today as we currently have an intern from another (locked down) country. My boss invited her to our daily huddles on Skype so we could look after her. She checks we're ok, we talk and laugh and share what work we have. The message is if the work goes quiet that's ok and we mustn't worry.

After the call my boss got an email from the intern saying "you're the best."

Pinkstars2501 · 19/03/2020 20:19

Nursing home here, statutory sick pay if off. Those who have come back from foreign holidays being told to self isolate for two weeks, SSP also.

No visitors allowed except medical visits. We have to take out temps each morning, seek advice if we get a cough etc much like everyone else. More hand washing facilities put in place. Being told to take extra precautions when in the community as expected.

However with the many precautions in place at my job, my husband work in retail and despite the promise of gloves and wipes for staff, none have arrived. These same staff who handle peoples cash all day and then come home to their wives who work with the vulnerable. A fair few of their wives work in care. In the end they've bought their own gloves and anti-bac spray....

Pinkstars2501 · 19/03/2020 20:20

*our temps

TheoriginalLEM · 19/03/2020 20:20

We are being paid up to two week self isolation I'm not sure about those who need to self isolate longer.

We can't work from home, we are trying to reduce footfall without pissing too many people off. Consulting from the car park, not accepting payments directly.

We have several people self isolating so the premises has undergone a professional deep clean.

Heartily sick of eye rolling clients telling us it's all a load of rubbish.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 19/03/2020 20:21

Carrying on as normal. If you are self isolating you get full pay and it won't be taken into account for any sickness for the year.

We are waiting on hand gel but have antibacterial wipes.

It's very very quiet at work though .... so my colleagues tell me. I'm in isolation as been coughing and not long back from Spain. Also my DSS has been coughing and was staying with us.

maddiemookins16mum · 19/03/2020 20:21

Amazing, utterly amazing. 90 laptops purchased, people working from home, splitting their hours to cover childcare with partners etc. All phone systems upgraded over the last few days. They have been incredible and I’m so proud to work for them. Less than 200 people in our business.

GoldenKirst · 19/03/2020 20:22

Work have been great. I was in on Monday as normal then had Tuesday as annual leave & told not to come back in (I'm 20 weeks pregnant).

They are arranging for a courier to bring a laptop at some point next week so I can WFH, but are prioritising those that are at work that won't be able to come in from next week due to schools closing etc.

Those that are self-isolating are receiving full pay still. Not sure where I stand if those classed as 'vulnerable' are off longer than that as I haven't had a chance to speak to anyone at work about it.

BrieAndChilli · 19/03/2020 20:27

There’s only 7 of us. Everyone is now working from home. I’ve brought my desktop home as don’t have a laptop. One person is still working from office partly so someone is there, partly as they deal with a lot of paperwork etc and they have grown up kids.

DontAskIDontKnow · 19/03/2020 20:27

I work from home anyway, so I’m reasonably set up for this. I suggested to work that I spread my 3 days over 5, so DH (Who can work from home too) and I can juggle childcare. They were really pleased and supportive of the suggestion.
Everyone that’s office-based is gradually being sent home, but they are struggling to get the IT infrastructure up to standard.
We are incredibly lucky. I am very grateful for our situation and I am really sorry for everyone that is struggling with their circumstances. I am also furious at how some of my friends are being treated over the childcare issue. It’s a cultural issue at the top of businesses where they think we all have wives!

GallusAlice79 · 19/03/2020 20:32

Very grateful for my employer (government). Anyone who wants to can WFH. Those who have kids have to "do the best they can", and they will be credited for a full day regardless.

Anyone who gets COVID19 will get full pay and the absence won't count towards a trigger point.

Everyone will get paid as normal.

Whenwillthisbeover · 19/03/2020 20:33

I work for BT, no apologies, I’ve changed my name and will do again after this Covid19 crap.

Brilliant, I WFH anyway, have done 14 years. Anyone that didn’t WFH that could p, is now doing so. Anyone with personal or caring responsibilities has been considered. Regular emails, calls with line managers, daily updates.

Can’t complain, probably why I’ve worked there over 30 years.

Thanks BT, we’ve had some ups and down over the decades but even when I’ve had a shit manager you have been a good employer.