Where do we stand with work saying I have to go in?

[pushymeas]

I work closely with others in a factory. (Making/ selling non essential items, think home improvements). I told work I wasn't going in today (feeling like I am doing my bit) and they have been really shitty with me and said I'll not be paid at all and can take disciplinary action against me. Is this correct? Do you think 'essential work' should have been better defined?

Following this asI'm in the same boat as you, work in a factory, non essential work.

Im self isolating this week but I'm due back in next tuesday, my boss has said we're open as usual but it means il have to take a train that's down to 1 carriage, and my mum will have to take 2 buses to come and look after my daughter while I'm at work. So the whole thing defeats the object of social distancing.

Meanwhile I got a text from the government telling me to stay at home!? So what do I do?

I'd reply saying that the government have told you not to go into work and that you have contacted your MP for further clarification. You won't be the only person in this boat and I expect that it'll be mandatory soon for the companies to pay their employees in this situation.

The Government haven't told people not to go to work - yet.
Travelling to and from work is 1 of the 4 reasons why you are allowed to be out.

The essential part is about working at home. If you can't, then of course you go to work as usual unless your work has closed i.e. retail shops.

What reason did you give for not going in?

If your job can't be done from home, then yes - you can (and are expected to) still go to work.
Your employer should be making suitable provisions to allow social distancing though. So you shouldn't be working closer than 2 metres to colleagues and should be able to wash hands regularly(with soap and water, not antibac gel).

Why would your employer pay you if you don't go to work? 🤨

They should be making your workplace safe and following social distancing. But they don't owe you a free vacation.

Sorry to hear that op. I’m guessing in a lot of factories it may be impossible to have everyone working 2m apart. Think China closed down most factories but Italy hasn’t.

As others have said, they havent shut down places of employment.

If it's open, you are expected to go in. Travelling to work is a reason you can go out.

If you dont go in, you dont get paid.

Not sure they could discipline. But I couldnt say either way.

There's a global pandemic killing thousands of people and the only thing that normal people like me can do is stay at home. I work in a tiny office with 5 other people and in a warehouse where we work closely in pairs packing and wrapping. The government pleaded with people to stay at home unless an urgent trip out for the house was necessary. I feel like only half the country is listening to him. I feel so frustrated. I understand not getting paid but disciplinary action seems ridiculous to me.

Plus, home and hardware shops are still allowed to open at the moment.I don't know what home improvement products your factory makes OP, but there would be no point in these shops staying open if they were unable to get stock.

Same boat here with do his work is non. Essential so expected to go to work . But his job requires close contact with other. So his boss said he either comes in or takes 3 weeks unpaid . Also he might have to lay people off.

Think his boss is being incredibly selfish.

Depends what money is like for you... Your work is open if you don’t go you won’t get paid also if after all these they need to lay people off they will remember the ones that turned up and the ones that didn’t.

Assuming you aren’t in the at risk group, you are allowed out to travel to work.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask, when you get to work, what adjustments have they made/will be making to you current working practices , to comply with the Govenment directive on social distancing to ensure the HEALTH AND SAFETY of their employees.
The H and S words are key.
In my experience (Union rep) they do tend to focus minds.
They can expect you to work but they have a responsibility to keep you, and your colleagues, as safe as possible.
👍

I think you should email your boss and ask them how the working practices have changed in order to keep you safe. If you are not happy with the answer then do not go in and ring CAB for advice. Keep all emails as evidence in case you need to move things forward.

I am a Director of a Manufacturing company, we produce for the NHS and pharmaceutical manufacturers. We have implemented split shifts, moved equipment to allow 2 mt distance - no meetings and most communication between factory workers is via a phone. Most of the admin staff are now working from home. I am only telling you this so you can advise your employer that factories can and should operate within the current safety guidelines.

Good luck

Depends whether your work is essential. Telegraph done a list of essential workers

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/24/key-workers-list-essential-coronavirus-uk/

As per PP, ask them in writing what their measures are to ensure H&S of workers.

Check company discipline procedure (if any) and provisions in your contract (if any).

Check your contract if any for a provision allowing them to lay you off/reduce hours. Could become relevant soon.

Consider asking them to make you a furloughed worker.

Be mindful that if you haven't been there long you could be an "attractive" dismissal target for them.

I think you misunderstood Boris' message. Working is necessary. Working is essential, which is why so many self employed people and owners of small businesses are so besides themselves with worry. They've had no choice but to close.
Are any of you or your colleagues ill?

Baby you're mixing up two different things there. All workers can and should still work. Key workers are workers whose children are entitled to access childcare through schools.

Why can't the government send the troops to these places and make them shut down!
It has to be done

What about places like Amazon and Tesco warehouse (for e.g.) who employ tens of thousands and are actively recruiting for more?

Why can't the government send the troops to these places and make them shut down!

Because they want them to continue working for the moment?

I work in retail and my employer is making no provisions for us to allow social distancing. Am actually feeling quite terrified about it. We sell non essential items as well as food and people are not getting it, they’re treating it like a bank holiday just having a mooch around the shop, whole families coming in. Please if you’re one of those people think about what you’re doing. People will die because of your actions

@pushymeas it is a bit mad isn't it?!

I honestly thought nonessential work places were expected to close down and the government have made a financial package available to assist companies with continuing to pay wages.
How’s to show this country doesn’t seem to know it’s arse from its elbow at the moment.