Why have we not heard complaining fro people working in private sector?

[mywayhighway]

You’d think the only people working at the moment were public sector. DH and I have luckily worked throughout the lockdown, DH is in construction, they have cracked on and found a way around every Covid19 related issue quietly and without fuss. Exactly the same in my workplace (manufacturing). Mainly it’s not rocket science. You don’t hear complaints from supermarket staff or smaller shops keepers.
I’m getting increasingly angry at sectors refusing to get back to work and it’s always public sector jobs where they have big unions and guaranteed wages and no threat of being laid off. Things need to dramatically change, people need to accept the risks and get back to work or hand their notice in. Schools are a prime example and next it’s going to be NHS therapies. Can’t they see they’re refusing to do their job is ultimately going to cause more deaths and have a much detrimental impact than Covid19 long term? Why are public sector workers so special?

We are never going to completely eliminate the risk of catching Covid19 in any work place, some will be riskier than others but that’s life.
We are never going to completely eliminate the risks of catching Covid-19…that’s life

You’re really fond of the broad stroke argument aren’t you OP, you can’t be bothered to acknowledge that your entire first post was totally, factually inaccurate i.e. wrong; so instead you fall back on tired clichés! We’re never going to entirely eliminate cycle accidents but we still take precautions such as cycle lanes and wearing helmets; we’re never going to entirely eliminate car accidents but we have a complex set of health and safety precautions intended to minimise them…you understand the concept of minimising risk? Although, given the quality of your comments so far, that might be too complicated a concept for you. And as for your comments re: ASOS workers, seems on top of your lack of ability to construct a reasoned, or even factual, argument you’re also a prise arsehole.

I think the OP is a WUM to be honest

Yes all those prison service staff who have refused to work and all those prisons which have been shut down

I do agree op that a minority of public sector have an unhelpful attitude. I'm public sector myself and some people in my Department have seen this as an opportunity to do as little as possible.

But then they are the ones that take the piss with everything, including sick leave at normal times. I'm ensuring they have a full workload as it's not acceptable for us to down tools when there's police and NHS on the front line.

I also think some public sector unions (not just the teaching ones before anyone jumps on me) are more interested in being difficult with a Conservative Govt than actually offering solutions. That's one reason I refused to join the PCS. Their attitude to Government and management was disgraceful at times.

There is a difference in the private sector. H is in construction (has worked throughout) and one of his colleagues has refused to go out (some of the job can be done from home but not all). They were mighty annoyed to be put on furlough as the cap is much less than they actually earn. The difference in the private sector is that the boss moved quickly to decide that once it became clear the colleague wasn't doing very much.

And from what H has said, the sites are taking H&S seriously. They are taking what steps they can to minimise contact although there do remain some risks.

One significant difference between the public and private sectors is that the responsibility for breaches of H&S legislation in the private sector are ultimately very much a matter for the directors of the business, who are ultimately motivated to ensure that the risks for their workforce are mitigated.

Public sector? Public enquiry , swept under the carpet. No personal responsibility.

The reason that you hear more from unionised workplaces, is because that is the point of a union - to raise concerns and fight for a decent working conditions for its members. Non unionised workplaces just don’t have the voice, so you find it’s employees passively moaning on social media platforms instead.
If you want more rights and better working conditions join a union and start fighting for them instead of trying to bring everyone down to your level.
In response to @AnneElliott. I’ve worked in both public and private sector and you get chancers in both.

People need to get this message and start thinking of the bigger picture. So someone who works for ASOS caught Covid19. Did they die? No they we’re I’ll for a week. Big deal

Well good to know you're an equal opportunities "couldn't give a shit about anyone else" poster.

I was trying to think of another job which requires staff to:

• stay in an enclosed space without PPE
• share that space with 20-30 other people all from different homes/transport routes etc adding to the viral load
• share that space with some people who cannot or will not cooperate with distancing
• possibly have a new set of vectors adding to the viral load every hour or so
• no budget for additional cleaning of surfaces/doors etc between classes

Even care workers are accepted by the government to need PPE, albeit they may not be able to get it. Teachers have been told they shouldn't use it.

Incidentally we don't know the effects of CV beyond the initial illness period as yet. Increasing reports are appearing of post viral problems even after less severe initial illness (both in children and younger healthy adults).

If I complained on social media in the same way that my brother complains about his job (teacher) I would be sacked. Someone at my old firm was disciplined for posting on Facebook that she was working late in the office!

Most people still working are working with more than 15 people, inside. Social distancing is not always possible. There was fear initially, it subsided by late March when no colleagues were infected or died.
People who have remained at home have been terrorised by the media.

The people still working at our school who also lost their Easter break are just getting on with it. Anyone I know in the private sector are too and grateful.they can still work. Most aren't meeting up with a couple dozen kids with no clue of physical boundaries though. But the ones who are seem to be fine with it (and no one has had to isolate themselves so far).

Of course you get chances in both Squirrels. My point was that private sector deals with it much quicker.

H's company have furloughed cheeky sod in his place. We're trying to persuade the chancers at our place to do the work they're paid for, as everything discipline/HR stuff takes so long!

Schools are open and teaching staff are working!!! We are worried about the amount and age group coming into school and our/children's safety - not working. I have been in school everyday, even in Easter holidays.

Great first post OP

The people still working at our school who also lost their Easter break are just getting on with it. Anyone I know in the private sector are too and grateful.they can still work. Most aren't meeting up with a couple dozen kids with no clue of physical boundaries though. But the ones who are seem to be fine with it (and no one has had to isolate themselves so far).

@C8H10N4O2 what are you planning on doing then? Staying at home for the next 2 years until we know long term effects of Covid19?

@mywayhighway MY DP works in private sector and EVERYONE is complaining like mad. Except they managed to wfh for the time being, but already scared the office will be reopening end of May.

I'm a nurse in outpatients private sector nhs patients. All from home on phone at mo. Patients prefer it and I'm enjoying it other than my 5 year old making life hard as talks to me and also refuses to do work!

The reason that you hear more from unionised workplaces, is because that is the point of a union - to raise concerns and fight for a decent working conditions for its members. Non unionised workplaces just don’t have the voice, so you find it’s employees passively moaning on social media platforms instead.

Absolutely!! And why do some people think only public sector employees can join a trade union?

Work in retail, join USDAW

Work in banking/travel join UNITE

Work in manufacturing, join GMB

Here is a link that helps you choose the right union for your job

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

You are welcome

C8H10N4O2 what are you planning on doing then? Staying at home for the next 2 years until we know long term effects of Covid19?

Nice misrepresentation of my post whilst failing to answer a single point.

So what about PPE in schools? What about the published guidelines for schools (you have read them I assume)? What about the BMA concerns? Or jobs showing that risk profile where staff are required by government not to have protection? (I can think of one or two with similar viral load potential but none where government has said Thou Shalt Not use PPE).

How would you go about managing it as you are apparently such an expert at just cracking on (and remember not allowed PPE and no money to spend on extras).

As part of this discussion can I put a word in for a part of the public sector from which you hardly hear a word of complaint - the criminal justice system. Prisons, courts, police all cracking on as far as they possibly can, even some jury trials are starting back up next week.

@C8H10N4O2 you're going into a classroom with 15 dc not onto a battlefield. If you can't work out how to manage that, take a look at what they're doing in other countries. And then crack on.

I take back what I implied about public sector - many are clearly doing a brilliant job. I stand corrected. Which puts to shame even more the ones who aren't.

you're going into a classroom with 15 dc not onto a battlefield. If you can't work out how to manage that, take a look at what they're doing in other countries. And then crack on.

Again check your facts.

1. where have I said I'm a teacher
2. you are the one saying "crack on" the onus is on you to suggest how its possible

And have you as yet read the guidelines? What is your area of expertise that you know better about infection risk than the BMA and more about the realities of managing kids in schools without even the fig leaf of social distancing?

And perhaps you could explain why PPE isn't necessary in these enclosed, high viral load environments.

OTOH you haven't come back with a single fact yet so perhaps you need to "crack on".

BTW, and just to help you as you can't do your own homework - other countries started the return to school when they had strategic testing and also tracing methodologies up and running. We have neither. In the case of Denmark standard space per pupil is higher and ratios are better at the outset.

Katherine Burbalsingh, darling of the Tory party conference, beloved of the Daily Mail and head of possibly the most restrictive and authoritarian school in the country (by her own description) has repeatedly said she cannot achieve safe distancing in her school even with reduced class sizes. Or perhaps you class her as a workshy slacker as well as WFH isn't work apparently.

you're going into a classroom with 15 dc not onto a battlefield. If you can't work out how to manage that, take a look at what they're doing in other countries. And then crack on.

I am absolutely happy to go back to school under these conditions.

I actually think Secondary plans are quite workable, to be honest. I cannot imagine there being much fuss when they finally announce when year 10 and 12 are due back. The government have hinted that these year groups will be coming back part time. I think with limited numbers in, we could manage them full time.

I am not a Primary teacher. I think their plans are a fucking shambles and they have my total support. Had they announced a single year group, perhaps two, I don't think you would have heard many complaints. But they have chosen year groups that do not work at desks, cannot have their usual activities and will not have a clue how to distance whatsoever. And the worst part is that they then want everyone else in, full time, for a month. It is absolutely a recipe for disaster.

So, yes, I am happy to go in to work myself, however, I will fully support whatever my union tells me to do to stick up for the Primary school workers, because that is what a union is about - sticking up for each other. We should all be sticking up for them right now (and I see lots of lovely parents are) because the government is absolutely throwing them to the wolves.

@nellodee throwing them to the wolves
They’re children. They’re not expecting them to keep 2m apart. Where does it say they have to sit at desks? Although My ds started school in a mixed reception/year one class and sat at a desk and had no problems at all.