Furloughed and work wants me back in the office Monday with no childcare

[workingwithoutchildcare]

Im a single parent and was furloughed at the start of lockdown as we were not busy. Business has picked and my work has asked me today to go back into the office Monday 4 days a week. They said now there is work I don't meet criteria for the furloughed, which is rubbish as it can be used if you don't have childcare. I have two children one is in the year group that can go back, but it's only for 3 hours a day and other is in year 2 so can't go back to school yet. My work has given me the option to use holiday instead now. They have asked me if anyone else can help but parents are shielding and there dad is back at work himself and is not seeing the kids. If I quit I assume it would mess up my universal credits. Working from home would be very difficult with my mental health and two children who still need a lot of support and help homeschooling and a job that requires a lot of concentration. I have mental health problems as it is and I feel I am only just managing right now being on my own for weeks with two young children and not even a garden to escape to. I really don't know what I can do and wish they would just make me redundant if I'm honest.

Most people either pay for childcare from their wages, or claim universal credit

All well and good but consider that the OP is going from paying zero in childcare for probably years to now having to fork out two lots of childcare. It's highly likely that this is unaffordable for her.

It would be for me!

Call PregnantThenScrewed advice line?

Childminder or hand your notice in.

I would have to pay a childminder up front and the cost for them both would be more than my wage per day. The child who can go back to school would only be going three hours a day right now, so I would still need childcare for her. Unpaid would be a struggle even with getting a top up of wages with UC, we live on a very tight budget as it is. Unfortunately their dad can't see them right now and I can't really say why as it's outing. I have told work all of this and hoping they can come up with some kind of solution that works for us all. I could potentially work from home, but what I can do from home is limited given the nature of my job and won't be easy in a two bedroom flat. I know so many people must be in a similar situation to me though

I think handing in my notice would cause issues with my universal credits

I've checked and I'm not a keyworker

Just to clarify he's not my OH he's my ex and isn't seeing the kids and won't help me out financially. No union at work. I have told my work about how the furlough has been extended to people without childcare provisions. I can't just pay extra costs for a few months in childcare as I literally have no means to even do this with no way of getting credit due to bad credit rating because of past financial abuse.

I think it's terrible how the government has allowed this to happen. No protection for workers with children.

Just to add to all those telling op just to get a cm, it’s not that simple. Around here from my enquiries generally they aren’t taking on new children and are only making plans involving existing children. Same with most nurseries. There will be exceptions I’m sure, but it’s not as simple as just get a cm like in the beforetimes.

I think you will have to ask to work from home. It isn't ideal with the children around, not by a long way, but lots of people are having to do this at the moment. You just get as much done as you can during the day, and a bit more in the evening after they have gone to bed.

UC will pay up to 80% of childcare, why don’t you ring some minders and enquire on availability and price then do a benefit calculator to see where you’d stand, 1000’s of ppl in this situation, I would hold your breath on work carrying on with furlough

If their dad isn't seeing then for social distancing reasons, bow will have to be the fine to share parental responsibilities. I guess if you don't hand in your notice and let them sack you that would be better for UC purposes and might mean you have a legal case?

Bow will be the fine should be now will be the time

If they don’t let you wfh there may be a case for unfair dismissal since you have no choice but to resign and it’s discrimination for being a parent/sex discrimination as a mother. I’m not certain but would be worth pursuing. Citizens advice can give great advice and help with this kind of stuff.

It’s very difficult, things are going to get worse from August, problem is employers will have their pick of employee’s as redundancies set in.

Take unpaid leave? You can’t expect to be paid not to work forever?

This isn't easy on either side. if companies don't get people back working they may not survive then there will be no job. But at mo lots of people no childcare and struggling. I think you at least have to try home working yes not great but we've all got to work together to get things moving.

@Reastie it's not unfair dismissal if the OP can't fulfill her contracted hours long term due to on going child care issues.... employers have to be flexible to a degree but they dont have to keep a position open for months on end until child care can be sorted. There is no ideal solution here unfortunately

Phone CAB and ask them how much worse off you'd be on universal credit compared to being in work or work it out yourself with an online benefits calculator. www.entitledto.co.uk
If you can't afford to be on benefits, I would try to work from home. I know it's very tough with two young children at home but you can only do your best. I doubt they can fire you for not fulfilling your duties given the circumstances.

@ukgift2016

I think it's terrible how the government has allowed this to happen. No protection for workers with children.

There's not really much protection for anyone, is there?

People saying UC will pay 80% of childcare, yes that's true, but I can't pay for that upfront cost, I just don't even have close to that kind of money unless I don't pay any bills for a month. I've said I will work from home, but I will be limited in what I can do from home as I require certain equipment for my job. Hopefully they will understand that and let that be an option. I wish their dad would do more and I have asked, but it's just not going to happen. I'm hoping that schools can reopen soon for normal school hours and I can at least work those hours in the office. 3 hours in the afternoon for one child isn't going to help me in anyway right now, but I understand everyone is in the same boat.

I'm hoping that schools can reopen soon for normal school hours and I can at least work those hours in the office.

What do you normally do outwith school hours?

During half terms I use holiday, my parents and their dad will usually help to some extent

I meant after 3pm.

Is it worth trying to find a childminder who will take payment in arrears even? I'm sure it's not ideal but could be worth a try?

I totally sympathise with you!
I have no childcare and I am back at work on Monday. I’m working from home and even though it’s going to be a struggle- my little boy is probably going to be put on his tablet whilst I work and the guilt I am feeling is terrible! I could cry.
However just keep thinking this isn’t going to be forever but for now this is the new norm. X