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!

[Madwife123]

The furlough scheme is to cover people who would have otherwise been made redundant, it’s not to cover childcare. I’m a key worker and my children are attending school as normal. It’s not ideal but we have no other option. You can’t afford childcare but you surely can’t afford to lose your wage either? Sadly unpaid dependants leave is the only option if you’re choosing to not go and do work that’s available.

[PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks]

Entitled to furlough doesn’t mean the company has to accept. It sounds odd that they have furloughed others but refuse for you.
What about your partner? Has he used all his holiday allowance? Has he asked for furlough?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

You and dp/dh need to sit down together and work out shifts, annual leave and unpaid leave you can both take.

Anything that needs covering my childcare well, I'm afraid you and he will have to decide whether you pay for it (loan/credit card etc), or whether you or he takes unpaid leave to cover it.

Coronavirus aside it's always risky to rely solely on a 70yo for childcare - contingencies need to be in place.

[Mammatomyboy16]

@Madwife123 it's not that I'm choosing not to go to work. I cannot go to work at the moment, what am I supposed to do with my son if I go to work?

[SeriouslyRetro]

Does your husband work 7 days a week, 14hr shifts?

Is there any night shift at your place of work?

Do you want to work?

[ItStartedWithAKiss241]

This....
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?

Can you not work on the days your husband is off? At my hospital staff are working different shifts to cope with lack of childcare? X

[Bobbybobbins]

Could your DH take some leave?

Could you both work pt around each others' shifts?

[Kerlassic]

COVID isn’t going away any time soon and it’s unlikely your dad will be able to have your son until a vaccine is available anyway. You won’t be furloughed until then. So probably best to look for a solution. Realistically, if you want to be paid and your employer has work for you, you do need to go in and do it.

[SpudsAreLife84]

You'll have to weigh it up- short term not making any money after childcare costs but still in employment or giving up work and still having no money. I have had to hire a nanny for 2 pre-schoolers as both of us are key workers, £1400 a month but its temporary. In 2/4/12 months or whatever they can go back to nana and I will still have my job, pension etc.

[ForeverBubblegum]

It sounds tough, but it is essentially a child care issue, so I don't think your work can be expected to pay you to not work. What would you do if your dad was ill or no longer able to have your child and there wasn't a pandemic? (Not unlikely for a 70+ with underlying health issues)

Your post seems full of things you have done, has your DP also checked what he can do. Eg. You both change hours/days to fit round each other, he also needs to cash in any holiday, parental leave etc.

Otherwise you will have to add up what will cost more, paid childcare or a spell of unpaid leave for one of you, and try to strech your budget. It sucks, but it's what everyone without parental help does all the time.

[Casualbride]

I would also ask what your husband is doing about this?

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Surely it's your husbands turn to look after your son for a few weeks?

[Mammatomyboy16]

My partner can't change his working shifts/days. We've tried asking. We asked if he could start earlier and finish earlier so I could go to work when he gets home and they've said no. My partner is the main one who brings in the money so if he managed to get anything changed in work we wouldn't be able to afford the house or bills. We aren't allowed universal credit as my partner gets commission so earns a different wage each month so we don't always qualify for it!

[gamerchick]

Its your blokes turn OP. He can worry about childcare for a bit. Maybe his work have a childcare solution even?

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Which key workers get commission?

[gamerchick]

X posts.

Its shit OP, maybe move your dad in with you?

[teqcar]

Your work doesn't have to pay or furlough you though. Its up to them. It's up to you to sort the childcare. FWIW plenty of grandparents are still looking after D.C. for keyworkers. Also, get in touch with local council for help with childcare.

[Ylvamoon]

There is work for you and you are not taking it up .... do you want to work? Childcare is not a reason for being on furlough especially if there is work. Can't you book your son short term into nursery?

[Mammatomyboy16]

@Disfordarkchocolate he works on behalf of the nhs. He works for bullen healthcare. They are still classed as keyworkers

[KeepWashingThoseHands]

Not sure what to say about this. Let's imagine furloughing ends in 4 weeks - what are you going to do then? I don't think this is an issue of your company being unreasonable so much as the current situation means you now have child-care issues to solve on a longer term basis.

I'm sure several are in your shoes.

[TyrionsNextWife]

The very beginning of the guidance states that a company can furlough staff if they can’t maintain their current workforce and people would be made redundant or laid off otherwise. It then goes on to say that people who are currently shielding, already laid off or off due to childcare can be included in the scheme.

I would take this to mean that if the company has to furlough staff, they can include people in these groups but only if there’s legitimately no work for them and they’d be made redundant otherwise. Hmrc are going to clamp down on fraudulent claims, so businesses have to be very careful that they follow the guidance to the letter.

[CoronaMoaner]

Unpaid parental leave is an option and I understand your employer have offered this. I know a couple of people using it who have chosen not to use the childcare option available to key workers.

[CoronaMoaner]

Also agree with the people who quite rightly point out furlough will probably end before any shielding does. You’ll need to investigate alternative childcare anyway OP. You can’t rely on someone who is vulnerable to do it for you because it’s free.

[HibiscusPot]

In the long run you need to find a childcare solution, a nursery or childminder. You dad at 70 and with diabetes may for another reason need to stop. You should be entitled to child tax credits or something if you earnings are low enough, and if they aren’t then you can afford childcare. Do you earn enough to cover the fees? Ask childminders, often cheaper and flexible.
Without Covid this was always a possibility, that your dads circumstances could change. He’s not young.

[Mammatomyboy16]

@CoronaMoaner hahahahaha I don't rely on my dad because it's free!!!!!!! He offered and absolutely loves spending time with his grandson.