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Called back to work but no school for DS

152 replies

CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 14:21

Does anyone know anything about employment rights currently as I've been called back to work on Monday but my DS isn't yet back to school in the published year groups.

His own school won't take him. And as he hasn't been there since lockdown i think it would be unhealthy for him to be dumped back there with no normal routine or friends.

I can't take him to work - it's a school! I work in administration.

Feeling stuck. Had this pushed on me now for Monday.

OP posts:
CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 14:49

They will be stuck in one room all day albeit with some outdoor breaks. It's not going to be fun at all for him.

It's just a big change and I'm protective over my kids - they've had a tough journey (dad related). I just need to calm down I suppose.

I can't send him to school though. I know that. I'd rather leave him at home

OP posts:
CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 14:51

DS school know what my job is.

OP posts:
shellysheridan · 16/05/2020 14:52

My school have been trying hard to plan fun and interactive activities for the key worker children in and to give them tons of outside activities. He might enjoy it more then you think.

insancerre · 16/05/2020 14:53

So what’s changed if you’ve been working from home?
Can you not continue to do that?

Nquartz · 16/05/2020 14:54

I think you need to tell your work he either goes to your school or you continue working from home.

Why are you expected to go in now when you've been working from home until now?

Could he take his own iPad/tablet/laptop to do some work?

CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 14:55

He's been doing his school work and then doing extra maths with me and then he spends the afternoon talking to his best friend playing computers. (Not Xbox - PC games).

I know which option is going to cause him upset.

His older sister is at home. I think I will have to leave them home together.

OP posts:
CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 14:56

Because EYFS and Y1 &6 are going back, my head wants the entire staff back.

OP posts:
BlueGheko · 16/05/2020 14:56

I can't socially distance either my colleagues desk is 20cm away from mine

Well that's not good enough, employers have to ensure social distancing in the work place or allow working from home. So regardless of childcare issues I'd be asking first what measures they are putting in place to ensure staff safety. It's not difficult, move desks around, fit perspex screens etc, no one should be sharing office supplies etc. But really if your job can be done from home then they should be allowing you to continue to do so in order to reduce the spread of the virus. All employers have a responsibility here.

Grasspigeons · 16/05/2020 14:57

What do they specifically need you on site for? As lot of your work can be done from home., you might be able to organise going in for shorter hours and doing other bits at home? Especially as you sit so close to collegue. You could have only one of you in a time for instance? Obviously i dont know the exact roles you do.
I dont know how old your don is. But i am sure the teavhers doing key worker provision make it as positive as they can for the children..

CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 15:00

Y5

I think I will ask for the risk assessment for the office and for myself.

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 16/05/2020 15:00

I was about to ask if he has older siblings. I'd get back to work OP and move your own desk if it isn't apart from your colleague's when you arrive. Into a corridor if you have to. There will be a lot of unemployed people queuing to take your place if you are dismissed.

CanIDigIt · 16/05/2020 15:02

My desk can't be moved. There are no other points to plug a computer into the network. Nobody can walk past my desk as the space behind doesn't allow 1m even. It's an old building.

OP posts:
milkysmum · 16/05/2020 15:02

What year is your son in?
My children are both now in, initially I worked from home, then needed to go back in. I absolutely cannot socially distance at work and unfortunately this is something I just now accept.
My children are in years 3 and 6. They have really enjoyed it since they have been back in to be honest. They do an hour or so doing their worksheets or online work ( that they would have been doing at home) in the morning ) and then it's crafts or getting out for walks etc.. some times the teachers bring their own children in too!
It hasn't felt stressful and my daughter is now hoping the rest of her year group will be joining her soon.

vanillandhoney · 16/05/2020 15:04

I don't think your DS' school can refuse to take him. That's not their place to say.

However if you can't socially distance at work then I don't think your work can force you to go back, can they? Especially as you've been working from home this entire time.

wonderrotunda · 16/05/2020 15:05

Keep the windows open (take a blanket) See if any secondary schools in your area have been making face shields in the DT department that you can ask for

vengeancer · 16/05/2020 15:06

you should repost:

I have been called back to work but are unwilling to send my PFB back to school as he is too smart for the setting and will only get bored.

HTH.

Madein1995 · 16/05/2020 15:07

can I cant believe ds school is being so unreasonable about it all! Youte a keyworker who needs to work out of the home. I'd have thought that theyd need to offer him a place in a different school at the least.
When your manager told you about going back on monday, did you not ask them about this them? Because it's now saturday and you're stick in a very hard place particularly if they're expecting you on monday. In your circs I would be calling them this weekend to discuss
Not ideal on a weekend but more ideal than you not rocking up.

Ultimately though I think the issue is more that you dont want him to go back? I'm sure if you pressed it with the head on monday, rock up with ds in uniform, a letter or something or have your manager call and explain you need it, and insist that they take him, they wouldnt have a leg to stand on to refuse.
Yabu tho to say ds is intelligent and would be bored. Quite frankly, that's tough. Him not enjoying school isnt a legitimate reason to keep him and you off. I doubt school is enthralling for most kids at the mo. They just need to crack on, and a bit of boredom does no kid any harm. You can send him to school, you're choosing not to. Go to the school and explain to the head on monday. If they wont have him, talk to your manager and presumably your head will call their head. Your ds boredom ranks very low on the importance scale tbh. I imagine most children at home are bored with parents wfh from home. It's a bit tough, to be honest.

During this pandemic, it does seem that children are seen as an inconvenience which is sad bit also a show of what priorities have to be I suppose. Parents need to work to pay Bill's, so children with wfh parents are bored. They cant wfh properly so they're chomping at the bit to get them back in school, again I dont blame them. Your priority is of course your ds - but your ds wellbeing and health. A few days of being bored wpnt kill him. No it's not ideal but nothing is ideal at the moment

As a pp said, you've a choice. The 1 Is to go to the school with ds, speak to the LA, get your head to ring his head and get him in school and you to work. The 2nd is to decide you cant bear the thought of ds being bored and keep you and him at home. Om presuming theres a reason the school wants you back on site, not wfh, and if you have an alternative childcare arrangement but choose not to utilise it, they can place you on unpaid leave. They can also I'm assuming look for someone 2ho is willing to do the job and its requirements ie at the office, to take it.

The gov have said that childcare needs to be considered by employers . You do have childcare if you're assertive about it.

Casualbride · 16/05/2020 15:10

You are contractually obliged to attend work. Your employer is contractually obliged to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Your childcare preference is not your employers issue. If your workplace isn’t safe you should raise it with your union.

Madein1995 · 16/05/2020 15:10

Or of course you could leave him home with older sister. I think you're worrying about the wrong thing tho op. The office space is far more of an issue than your sons boredom. We try and socially distance in my work , I choose to go in as equipment to wfh not arrived, however of course we use post it notes and use door handles etc etc. I think in many jobs social distancing just isnt going to happen.

StSaulOfSnacks · 16/05/2020 15:11

Has your DS's school really refused to take him? They can't do that. You should go to work and your DS should go to a school as a child of a key worker.

StarDanced · 16/05/2020 15:12

Are you in a union @CanIdigIt? Might be worth consulting them or joining one if you don't have one. NEU accepts anyone who works in a school. I know that unions are being demonised by press and some people at the moment, but they can be really helpful in helping with issues or giving advice.

cansu · 16/05/2020 15:16

His school need to take him. If they refuse, ask them to put it in writing to give to your school. That said, you need to not moan about him being bored etc. No it won't be normal provision but there definitely should be a place for him. I am a teacher and when I return my dd will return to her school to enable me to work.

Tatty101 · 16/05/2020 15:18

This sounds more like you don't want to work than an actual childcare issue if you are a key worker, have older children that could look after him and are now focusing on how it wouldn't be good for him to go back to school.

Would you like to stay off indefinitely? Are you willing to take unpaid leave? I imagine schools are going to need their admin staff at the min.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 16/05/2020 15:23

It’s a real chicken and egg. Until schools are properly open then many people can’t go back to work.

I think we have to open the schools and get on with it to be honest. As hard as that is

ineedaholidaynow · 16/05/2020 15:28

Key worker children take priority over the new year groups coming in. There will be more key worker children in with schools opening as school staff will need childcare if they have previously been working form home. Your DC's school should allow him if they have space. Is there another school he could go to otherwise?

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