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One parent key worker
Goodgriefidespair · 21/03/2020 00:14
So if the key worker earns less than the none key worker parent, and the only way they can still go to work is by taking up a childcare place, is this unreasonable? The none key worker can’t work from home this isn’t an option. If they don’t go in they don’t get paid.
The other option is the key worker doesnt go to work at all. And the frontline lose a member of staff. But the family will still pay the bills As the non key worker earns enough to sustain them, key worker doesnt.
I’m seeing lots of opinions that it is selfish to take up the childcare place unless both parents are key workers.
But just wondering what people would think of this situation.
Would you honestly expect a family not to be able to pay their bills, so the key worker could go out to work. And the none key worker stay at home unpaid to look after the children.
What is the lesser evil?
Goodgriefidespair · 21/03/2020 14:15
Buzzing in my situation you feel my family not be able to pay their bills and for the key worker to be put at risk going to work and Unable to pay the bills at home would be the best option.
Or the key worker could stay home my family can pay the bills.
The front line will lose a worker. T
Either of these would be the best option as it will reduce the risk slightly to the teacher.
One of these two options is best?
As a side note I’m not sure why people are bleating on about the health of teachers. Yes they are at risk like all health workers social care workers supermarket workers and it’s pretty shit. Yet no one is going on about the health of the staff at Asda who are possibly more at risk dealing with the unruly general public at the masses.
teaandajammydodger · 21/03/2020 14:21
It’s not about teachers’ health. It’s not about it being hard for some people to work from home or not have some income. It’s about social distancing being absolutely essential. Everyone needs to do it to the best of their ability. Childcare will not be social distancing and puts everyone at risk including the wider population and our vulnerable population. That’s why the emergency childcare needs to be the last resort for key workers.
Stompythedinosaur · 21/03/2020 14:21
I'm a nurse who's partner will be at home with the dc. But I am lucky, I have colleagues who's partners won't. Because not all parents are good parents. Or because they can't afford it.
Take up a childcare place if you're offered one, if you need it.
Goodgriefidespair · 21/03/2020 14:32
Tea I am aware of what social distancing is trying to achieve. I’ve just seen a lot of mentioning teachers health.
When no one seems to make reference to for example supermarket workers health when people are unnecessarily in and out of supermarkets stock piling etc.
Ultimately it would seem that some people feel we should not pay our bills and let the key worker go to work and non key worker stay at home.
Or take the childcare place.
No one thinks it would be ok for the front line worker to not go to work and take unpaid carers.
RoseGoldEagle · 21/03/2020 14:36
If a key worker uses a childcare place so they can work, they are also putting their health at risk, I don’t know why this is just about the risk to teachers. It’s just not as easy as saying the higher earner needs to ‘step up and parent’ - if that results in the OP’s family not being able to afford their mortgage, how is that at all doable? If our nurses were paid better in the first place it might not be such an issue. My husband is a key worker, but happens to also be the higher earner, so it’s an easy decision for us- I’ll take unpaid leave to look after the kids. But to try and guilt a family into sending a nurse to the front line whilst simultaneously risking losing their home because their partner can’t work is just outrageous, and is exactly why the government is allowing the place if either parent is key worker. I would much rather you used that place OP and went to work, thank you for all you are doing.
AnaphylacticAnnabelle · 21/03/2020 14:38
What in case of separated families. ?
Two homes. Key worker and Non key worker share the care.
Is it reasonable for key worker to use the child care on the key workers parent days only.
Non key worker working ft and will be working at home on their parent days.
teaandajammydodger · 21/03/2020 15:07
Good if enough frontline nhs workers start having to take unpaid leave then the government will have to take steps to prevent this. What is it that your husband does? If it’s not a key role then I think employers like his will quickly find they are under pressure to not pressurise their employees who need to perform a caring role at home.
StripyHorse · 21/03/2020 23:09
I think the government need to step up to support parents financially if they are looking after children and can't work. I spoke to someone today who was annoyed that his child can't get a place in school because his wife is not a key worker (he is, but not front line). We are not in an affluent area so I can see why people find it so hard (and not all jobs can be done at home).
It is shocking that many of the most valuable members of society are the lowest paid.
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