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Original poster

Should I go back to work??

71 replies

Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 07:57

I've spent the past 10 months on MAT leave and I am due to go back to work on Monday.
Should I go back?

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 08:55

@picklemewalnuts
I am fit and healthy yes.

OP posts:
SudokuBook · 07/05/2020 08:55

Oh right. I assumed the airline industry had pretty much fallen off a cliff and had most of their workforce on unpaid leave or furloughed.

Casualbride · 07/05/2020 08:55

Why wouldn’t you go back? Do you not need the money, or a decent reference?

FluffyHippo · 07/05/2020 08:57

For someone with such a seemingly high-powered job, you seem awfully clueless! Work are expecting you back, you can't do your job from home, your children will be cared for - you have no sensible reason not to go into work.

Unless your confusion is a classic case of mummy brain...

orvilletheduck · 07/05/2020 08:57

I also work in the aviation industry, I'm furloughed due to the obvious lack of work right now and also shielding. When my bosses want us back I will go back, regardless of the shielding advice because I need to support my family and can't afford to be seen as a weak link, however unfairly.
Now is not the time to mess your employer around in our industry so you if you choose not to go back, don't expect to get paid if you can't actually do your job from home, and realise how at risk of redundancy that could make you in this current climate. You have 'childcare' so if I were you I would go back.

Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 09:00

@SudokuBook

I am network planning and operations so I won't get furloughed as my employer classes my job as essential. I am needed as we are still operating cargo flights to bring essential ppe and other essential supplies to the UK.
I am also needed to create and action our passenger network resumption plan. This will be the hardest bit as the person who has been covering my role has already started this!!!!Angry

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 09:00

@Casualbride

I do need the money tbh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 09:01

@orvilletheduck

I will be going back on Monday.

OP posts:
Ciwirocks · 07/05/2020 09:03

Op face to face meetings are not even happening in hospitals, they are using Microsoft teams or if they have to meet face to face then everyone needs to sit 2m apart. It sounds like you do need to go to work but there should be plans in place to socially distance while you are there.

Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 09:05

@ciwirocks
Yes we will be socially distancing while in work and while in meetings.

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 10:52

The only slight problem I may have is that my husband is a key worker and works from home most of the week but has to go into work twice a week so I would have no one to look after my children. However, that should be sorted as my friend said that she will probably have them on those 2 days.

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 11:57

Would my friend be 'allowed' to look after them??

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 18:54

Would she be allowed to?

OP posts:
WhatsHappeningCaroleBaskin · 07/05/2020 19:06

Exactly what I thought @fluffyhippo!

WhatsHappeningCaroleBaskin · 07/05/2020 19:08

No OP, your friend isn't allowed to look after them Confused are you really this clueless? Sounds like you have a complicated and important job role and yet don't have a grasp on quite basic thinks like the rules of lockdown or returning to work after maternity leave.

You can't just not go into work when you're due to return in a matter of days.

BBCONEANDTWO · 07/05/2020 19:46

IMO a lot of people are looking for excuses NOT to work - maybe it's just me because I've been working the whole time.

Your workplace should have social distancing implemented.

BUT what makes me laugh is that people are happy to go the supermarket and let's be honest you're more likely to catch it there than at work.

Motorina · 07/05/2020 19:49

So you're in charge of operations and planning for a very large company, but, on the last working day of your maternity leave, you still haven't made plans for childcare.

Hmmm...

BBCONEANDTWO · 07/05/2020 19:53

So you're in charge of operations and planning for a very large company, but, on the last working day of your maternity leave, you still haven't made plans for childcare.

Scary when the leaders haven't got a bloody clue

Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 19:58

For everyone saying that I can't just turn up, I have been in contact with my employer this week and also throughout the past few weeks.

OP posts:
HathorX · 07/05/2020 20:23

I think you have to give 4 weeks' notice to extend your leave to 12 months. Can you afford to quit?

Littlemissdaredevil · 07/05/2020 20:27

Yes you need to go back to work otherwise you will be in breach of contract with your employer. If you don’t want to go back to work then you need to resign and work your notice period.

Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 20:38

@HathorX

No, I can not afford to quit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Disneylover4321 · 07/05/2020 20:39

@Littlemissdaredevil

I will go back, just don't know what to do for childcare on the 2 days that my DH or adult DD wont be at home.

OP posts:
Lala241280 · 07/05/2020 20:43

Given the industry you are in and under the current circumstances I would assume they need you back more than ever

Littlemissdaredevil · 07/05/2020 20:46

Have you checked the government guidance to find out if you would be classified as an essential worker and be entitled to a nursery place in the days you don’t have childcare?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Alternately, could you come to an a agreement with your employer to work a compressed week e.g. 5 days a week over 4 long days the. You would only be stuck for one day?

Could you ask your employer if you could make the remaining hours up in the evening or at the weekend?