Furloughed single parents returning to work who have no childcare - Advice please

[mummytippy]

I've been furloughed since 24/3 after previously offering to work from home and being told no. I do admin work in an office so working from home is doable once I have the paperwork. I've no idea what my boss's reasons were as I have the technology and it's not rocket science.

I have a 13 yo ds in Year 9 who obviously isn't going back to school anytime soon. I've been home schooling him as he's the type of child who has needed me to stand over him to ensure he stays on task. The work set by his school has also been set in multiple formats, not all online so I can't just leave him to it.

Today I've had a text from my boss asking me if I would be prepared to swap days if requested. I usually work 3 full days 9-5.

Aside from Boris making it clear in his speech yesterday, that single parents with no childcare are 'impeded' and have a 'barrier' in returning to work and the Government would 'hope employers are understanding of this'

I also found this on the Gov.UK Website:

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

''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''.

I can't leave my ds at home by himself so how do I reply to my boss?

What are everyone else's plans on how to contact their employer to ask to remain on furlough due to no childcare?

Thank you in advance

The attitude seen on here is what I’m scared about. I hope my employer is more u understanding than the people on here.

I have a 14 year old with no SEN but absolutely can not be left alone. Their school is not open for key children either.

If he's year 9 he'll be nearly 14. That's old enough to be expected to get on and do work.

OP,might I suggest you post on the Lone Parents forum,then you might get a bit more of an appropriate, considered responses x

Hes 13 ffs not 3 hes at an age where he needs to learn the consequences of things ie (if homework isnt done) this is exactly why children grow up being incapable of life. You cant have it all ways can you? You need to either work your 3 days in the office or resign.

Another option would be to ask if your ds could come to work with you sit in the corner do his school work or watch Netflix on the iPad or something- again not ideal but until you ask for any changes or flexibility you wont know

Your 13 year old doesn't need to be looked after. Sorry I don't think this is a hood reason to remain at home.

He’s 13, he doesn’t need childcare. How do you ever expect him to grow up and take responsibility for himself and his work if you mollycoddle and helicopter over him?

So in reading the majority of comments it seems I am being unreasonable and I'm expected to leave my ds at home for up to 9 hours per day 3 days in a row based on his age as he's considered mature enough and some people have an opinion of me being work shy even though they don't know me.

I realise my wage pays the bills... just so I'm hardly going to try and go out of my way to lose my job. I have worked there 8 years so I'd like to think my employer can try and make some provision for their workers with children. I was just putting 'feelers out' and didn't expect to accused of mollycoddling, and dodging work!

What are your plans @Nochangeplease?
Have you contacted your employer yet?

Thanks @Layladylay234

I've certainly learned a few things from my post...
Feel like I'm swimming in shark infested waters!

it's only 3 days. Your child does not need looking after. Yabvu. Sounds like you are looking for an excuse not to work.

@Concerned7777

I don't think my ds going to work is appropriate.
Firstly he isn't covered by the company insurance as I asked once before (before he had a dental appt to save me too-ing and fro-ing)
The office is 10' x 20 and there will already be 3 people in it so social distancing already an issue

@vengeancer

Have you not read that I offered to work from home in the first instance???

Your child is 13! He CAN be left alone.

I am with your manager on this one.

I've not put anything to my manager yet @ukgift2016?

When Boris refers to child-care being a problem, he's referring to primary aged children, or those with special needs.

There's no reason why you can't leave your 13yo all day - you just don't want to!

I have not put anything to my manager yet

Probably a good idea to do just that before starting a what if thread. You have made a lot of assumptions about your employer without finding out the facts.

You can't leave a 13 year old because you have to stand over him and supervise school work.
So how would you be able to get any of your work done if you WFH?

When are you going to reply to him? He's allowed your request for furlough up to the point he's now been told not to.

Surely if you want him to show willing then you should be communicating better?

I totally agree with you op

What do you do during th school holidays?

@vanillandhoney I missed that Boris said that?
I thought a child was anyone under the age of 18

Thanks @Lifeisconfusing

I'm wondering how many people on here who've commented are lone parents... feel like I'm being tethered to a stake!

I thought a child was anyone under the age of 18

But a 17yo and 7yo are not the same thing, and they're not treated in the same way, so pretending all children under the age of 18 are the same is just silly.

An NT 13yo can quite easily be left home alone three days a week. The fact that you don't want to leave your son is not your bosses problem.

@Mumof1andacat

My ds would usually go to my folks in the holidays but at 81 and 73 we haven't been anywhere near them (other than for me to deliver their shopping).

His father lives 2 hours away