My work won't pay or furlough me.

[Mammatomyboy16]

So I have a 13 month old son. My dad looks after him when I go to work. Since we went on lockdown my dad hasn't been able to look after him as he's classed as vulnerable. Over 70 and has diabetes. I'm a key worker so haven't been able to go to work. My partner is also a key worker so can't stay off and look after our son.

I've taken some weeks timebanking, holidays and 2 weeks we had to self isolate as my son had a high temperature but he was fine.

Anyway, my work won't furlough me. They've said if I don't come back to work next week I won't be getting paid. I've told them the only way I can come back to work is if my dad comes back and looks after him, which is risking his life and my sons life. I am furious with my work. They have furloughed other people which I understand as they live with someone who's vulnerable. But because I don't live with my dad I won't be furloughed.

I can't afford to not be paid. I can't work around my partners hours as he gets in so late from work everyday.

I don't know what to do!

Could you look into nurseries/childminders? Some are still open to look after children of key workers

We can't afford childcare at the moment!

So you want to be paid but not go work?

Furlough isn’t for vulnerable people who can’t work, or if you can’t get childcare.

My childminder is still working and looking after my kids.

Whether or not you can afford childcare has no impact on whether or not you are furloghed.

@Kerlassic it's not that I don't want to go to work! I can't work at the moment! I can't afford childcare!!

Also the government have now said employees can be furloughed for not having childcare.

I thought you could be asked to be furloughed for childcare reasons? It's a specific provision

You can be furloughed due to childcare however this doesn't sound like it applies to you. This is because you're a key worker therefore childcare providers would look after your child. It's either unpaid leave or you return to work having made alternative arrangements.

@NothingIsWrong I thought so too but it's down to the company. It's there choice who they furlough and who they don't which I completely understand

Schools are open for key workers children. You need to check your local councils website for the locations and if there is an application process. They are open 7 days a week too.

Has your OH used some leave? (annual, parental etc) sounds like it is all you. Or maybe he can be furloughed for childcare reasons. What about both of you working part time or different shifts?

And it's for infants up to secondary age.

How many days a week does your partner work?
What are you contracted hours?
If he works 5 days a week, could you work long days on the two days he has off?

As an employer it is really tricky we are supposed to furloughing instead of making people redundant if we then choose people who have childcare issues that is up to us. But we are not certain if we have plenty of work that we would not be committing fraud by furloughing someone who only has childcare issues, but we have work for.
Martin Lewis says stuff, but at the moment the HMRC portal does not back this up.

They can furlough you for this reason. This is from the government website.

Do you work shifts? Could you work opposite shifts to your partner? Has your partner requested to be furloughed for childcare reasons so you can work instead of him? I have been furloughed for childcare reasons so it’s not impossible, although I am not a key worker so I have no other options.

Can your husband use his holidays?

My screen shot isn’t there but here is the text:

Employees with caring responsibilities
Employees who are unable to work because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) can be furloughed. For example, employees that need to look after children can be furloughed.

You are entitled to parental leave which means they can’t fire you at least. Your income change means you can apply for universal credit if your husbands income isn’t too high. Basically same as at anytime when you can’t work due to caring responsibilities

@cookiemonster5

Schools are not open to look after a 13 month old child!

Honestly, I've been manning the barricades at our secondary school - but it's only for our pupils. We're not just random childcare for babies and toddlers. There may be some nurseries or childminders open - but OP doesn't have the money to pay. Schools are not free babysitters.

What kind of key work do you do? Our hospital is providing free nursery places. Have you discussed with HR?

Childcare is free for key workers under the C-CAS scheme, in Wales at least. DDs nursery has waived fees for 3 months and taking on kids who don't normally attend. As a manager, I have unfortunately had to advise staff to put their children in a nursery, even if they don't normally attend. It's a difficult HR scenario to navigate but we (NHS) are expecting those who live with someone who is shielding to attend work with social distancing measures in place.

Would you be better off not working, or working and paying for childcare?

Have you looked at universal credit if you are low paid?

Definitely call your LA though - if your work is critical to the covid response they will help you find childcare.

You are a key worker and there is childcare available. If you can't/won't take it up then you use annual leave or take unpaid leave.

ISnt there any way you can sort it with your partner and shifts at all?