Called back to work but no school for DS

[CanIDigIt]

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.

canidigit I think you should be allowed to wfh in that case? It sounds like you're admin. In my school they rota admin staff & they wfh when they're not on site.
I would see if they can compromise with you? Go in say 2 days or work mornings in school & wfh afternoons.

I work in a school and have decided to take unpaid leave until my children return to school. This will most likely be September. HR have been very understanding and are ok with it as long as there's no pay. Is that an option? My children were granted a place at school as I am a key worker but it's not something I was comfortable with.

This sounds more like you don't want to work than an actual childcare issue

My thought too. Explore the options and don't make negative assumptions about your situation. You are not the only person facing this dilemma. There is only so long that the state can afford to pay you to stay at home not working.

I'd split the week between sending him to school as keyworker child and staying with his sibling. If you work full time then it's a lot of time for the 13 year old to be home alone on their own as well, I'd prefer they had some company on some of the days. I've sent my 13 year old DS back to school as 40 plus hours home alone was just too much. He has enjoyed it so far.

But wasn't the directive from Govt that those who can work from home should continue to do so?

If OP has been wfh all this time then why can't she continue especially as it's not possible to socially distance at work. ?

What has changed with your work OP and why do you NEED to be in an inappropriate/unsafe environment now ?

When people talk about PFB, they have no knowledge of the child they label.

You have no idea of the trauma and suffering my child has had in his 9 years. You have no idea what would or would not cause emotional trauma to a child who had suffered greatly. He has endured an awful lot. That's not the point of my thread but simply a fact that is the cause of the concern in the first place.

He is not P nor FB. He is a human who needs the continued protection of his mother.
Not at all passive with regards my sons needs.

I absolutely will not be passive regards my own safety at work. The two go hand in hand.

I need to wait for my heads instructions on Monday.

Jaxhog I have worked at home since lockdown began.

This sounds more like you don't want to work than an actual childcare issue

Agree, have you emailed your child’s school and advised due to government guidelines your ds will be starting on X date?

As an admin worker you realise his school cannot stop him attending and if they do they have to provide another provision.

Or are you just assuming he isn’t to attend, if you don’t want to attend due to Covid then you need to take unpaid leave.

I have not emailed DS school as they have already written to parents refusing any more children.

You have no idea of the trauma and suffering my child has had in his 9 years. You have no idea what would or would not cause emotional trauma to a child who had suffered greatly.

Yet none of that is relevant to this thread and you returning to work. We can only go by the information you give us, and even then it’s not relevant to what you’ve asked.

Ironic Op that you have posted. A relative is in SLT in a school and has responsibility for dealing with staff with reasons for not returning to school...she was asking my view in some different situations they face as I am responsible for a large number of staff so have already had the HF and legal advice.

First of all...remove the issue. The school HAS to accommodate your child. As they have refused, get it in email with reasons and either go to your local councillor or MP...I suspect it will be reversed.

If you choose to stay away from work...then be clear what you are asking for? Ie...from my discussions, the issue seems to be that staff, for a multitude of reasons either don't want to, or say they can't return to work....but every single one of them wants paying! The reality is that a small number can probably go sick due to chronic conditions but then will drop to half pay then zero pay...and basically lose any opportunity to get a new job due to the sickness record. In addition, if they out the medical argument as to why they can't work, will never be able to work until/if there is a vaccine.

One example was like yours, she didn't have child care as the school was still off and yes...expected the school to continue paying her whilst sat at home. She is in for a shock apparently.

I have just watched Gavin Williamson on TV...make no mistake...the kids like their counterparts in Europe will return to school and staff stating they can't work will not be an obstacle.

So OP..suggest you get tough and sort it out and get back to work like the rest of the private sector will be doing....if one of my staff refused to come to work with the same reasons you have given me I would stop their pay immediately.

"DS is a smart boy and finds school boring at the best of times. He would hate the low bare minimum input of teaching even if I didn't want to have a row with his head to take him.

Do I have any rights to not go back until DS goes back?"

No you don't, not when there is a place for him. Just because the teaching won't be up to normal standard it will still be there, as will the childcare aspect of school.

If you choose to reject this place at school you are therefore Choosing to not go into work when you are able to and therefore can be disciplined/fired for it.

Sorry OP, I’ve just seen my post came across quite harsh. My apologies.

Everyone has their stories to tell unfortunately however you need to take the emotional baggage away from the things you need and concentrate on the issue at hand.

You cannot assume, you need to act. Hey speaking to the school/email etc.. ask if they are refusing to put in in writing contact the council/MP.

"You can’t say that you don’t want to go back through choice, and still expect to get paid."

^this with bells on. You can't even expect to be furloughed because there is work for you to do and there is a childcare option which you are choosing not to use.

For goodness sake. Yes children's MH is important. Yes as a mother you're responsible for protecting him. What imaginary harm do you think being bored will cause him?
If hes experienced trauma then of course I'm sorry for that. One could argue however that the covid19 pandemic is a perfect time for all children ,not just yours, to learn resilience. Many children are going into school and being bored. Many children are at home entertaining themselves because the adults are wfh. Now, not every waking moment is filled with someone entertaining them and I dont think that's a bad thing.

Which is an entirely separate issue, you're correct. Speak to the head on monday and see what they say

If you can work from home OP you should. There's no need for "all staff" to be present. The head is wrong, especially if you can't socially distance in your office at work. As many support staff as possible should be working from home so that it's safer for all the staff who need to be in school.

Check your contract and any updates. I work for a school, we're allowed 24 hours to sort childcare out, if not it's unpaid leave. I guess you have the telephone number of the person to contract out of hours, so speak to them now. They may allow DS to come in with you if they really need you. If not, it gives them forwarning they need to get someone else to cover.

It’s worth asking the question about partial wfh. Leaving him with his sister in the mornings would seem fine.

And the desk situation needs to be sorted. No quibbling.

You might just have to bite the bullet and send him back to school though (they can’t refuse). Be mentally prepared for that OP.

If you can’t be 2m apart buy some masks to protect yourself and Hand sanitizer

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.

My DC will be going into school as key worker children because DH and I are both teachers. We've been juggling rota shifts ok so far and wfh the rest of the time but need to be back in on 1st June. My DC aren't in the year groups that have been told they can return, so they won't like their friends not being there but they're going to have to go anyway.

However, my big issue is there is no wrap-around provision. DH and I can't be in class ourselves and pick up our DC. We live in a village with no childminders (we used to use the one and only one before she gave it up). I can't beg favours from other parents as their classes aren't going back and I can't expect other parents who are wfh to go out specially to pick up my DC. I really have no idea what we will do.

I work for a school, we're allowed 24 hours to sort childcare out, if not it's unpaid leave

Boris said in his speech that no childcare would be a barrier to people returning to work and employers shouldn't penalise staff that can't work for that reason.

Interesting Dippy

My thread has split into two parts (my fault entirely)

DS would be safe in school and I have no issue refusing school v going to work. This isn't my problem.

DS head is refusing entry (yes I could phone him and have a long debate) but on the grander scheme of things, he has made a decision based on his professional judgement and do I need the childcare that desperately??

No I do not. I have successfully wfh the whole time. Is a school admin actually a key worker anyway?
Why do I need to be in school next week when there are no children?

Why am I expected to be back full time when social distancing cannot be undertaken for my role to sit at a desk and answer a (single, shared) phone.

Which Headteacher makes more sense?

School admin is a key worker.

Your DS can go to school if you want - ask your LA to sort a place.

If you can do your job from home, you need to talk to your Head about that.

If you need to go in to your office their should be SD measures in place - again ask your Head about these.

Thanks cary
Have you any links which could help support me with that?

I've felt like you at times op but my work (nhs) gently said that as a key worker I'm expected to use school provision if no other option - so far we have only had to use one day a week as dh is a teacher and has been home three days a wk but as schools open up he will be back full time so mine will have to go in more
Yes it's a bit weird for them- they say it's like playgroup in the Afternoon just out in the playground but I do think it's nice they see their teachers and some other kids - I'm more Nervous about when the numbers increase after half term
I'd imagine he would get more out of being at school than at home with a sibling ?
I doubt the school you work at would agree to him going in with you tbh