Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Can work force me to ask grandparents to watch the kids?

172 replies

Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 21:40

Iv been furloughed as I have 3 kids at home,dh works away Monday-Friday, so no childcare.

Since 4th July am I right that grandparents can Now look after your children? Problem Iv got is one set have health conditions and feel it’s too soon and the other side work (nurse+teacher) if work call me and tell me Iv got to come back what will I do ? It’s not very clear to me what my rights are. Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:24

@aliloandabanana thanks for your support I can’t afford to loose my job and I feel bad on work but my children are my priority it’s scary to think some people would just leave the children home alone (read that on another thread)

OP posts:
carringtonm · 04/07/2020 22:24

Can the grandparent who is a teacher help with childcare over the holidays? Could you and their dad manage to take annual/unpaid leave between you to cover the rest of the school year (2 weeks or so depending where you live)? It sounds like a crap situation to be in.

Enchanted19 · 04/07/2020 22:25

OP I was in the same position although i couldn't be furloughed at all due to childcare and my parents usually look after my son but are classed as vulnerable so didn't feel comfortable having him. I got absolutely torn apart on mn. I really do feel for you because it's such a hard situation to be in.

Can you not take any holidays for the remaining time they may have off? My work allowed me to timebank some hours I had off, I don't know if you work somewhere that may allow that. Maybe also take it a bit higher than you're boss in work. Is there anyone above them you can ring to speak to? Policy and advice or someone?

Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:26

@carringtonm I bet millions of people are in the same situation I came on here to get advice and to see what other people are doing my rights etc
(

(Read this on government website)

The scheme has been there to help everyone but ultimately if they want you to work now in October or could have asked in April/ may then you are contracted to work, the 4th july isn't relevant.

You could ask for unpaid leave etc or try and explain/ hope they are symathetic with your worries but ultimately its not fair on employers to keep supporting employess forever.

OP posts:
popcorndiva · 04/07/2020 22:27

Oops sorry I blame having half an eye on bullseye.

Can your DH not take some annual leave as Well. It's not fair for just your employer to shoulder the burden and not his. I would be pissed off if my DH assumed I had to deal with it alone.

ShadowMane · 04/07/2020 22:29

i think the main thing, is that 'work' cant dictate who looks after your children, thats up to you.

They want you to come back to work - you have to work out childcare.

you havent mentioned a partner, are you a single parent? or is all the child care up to you?

Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:29

Ignore above ha ha silly me copied the wrong info
This is what I read in government website

If you are unable to work, including from home, due to caring responsibilities arising from coronavirus, such as caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing, or caring for a vulnerable individual in your household, then your employer can continue to furlough you from 1 July so long as your employer submitted a claim for you in relation to a furlough period of at least 3 consecutive weeks taking place any time between 1 March 2020 and 30 June.. This means the last day you could have started furlough for the first time was 10 June.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:30

@ShadowMane I mentioned my dh in op he works away Monday-Friday

OP posts:
2kool4skool · 04/07/2020 22:31

You’re just going to have to find/pay for childcare or take unpaid leave. You’ve been lucky to be paid this far, now you have to make arrangements.

Oly4 · 04/07/2020 22:32

You need to find Childminders, nurseries or holiday clubs. Lots are open.
It is hard but we’re all having to sort out childcare.
Yes your employer can tell you to go back

Heyhih3 · 04/07/2020 22:33

I agree you will need to get a move on if you want all your kids in a holiday club. They are only taking 50% of there usually numbers due to SD. Plus many parents are in the same boat as you OP.

My usually play scheme is full... and I managed to secure another one.

ShadowMane · 04/07/2020 22:35

[quote Lifeisconfusing]@ShadowMane I mentioned my dh in op he works away Monday-Friday[/quote]
Apologies, I missed that

Can you stagger your hours short term, and manage working weekends, and 1 day off each per week?

Argggghhneedclarity · 04/07/2020 22:35

Not sure why people are giving you a hard time here. I work in a school and a lot of very stressed parents are saying they need to send their kids in to key worker group and we are having to say no, as they are not essential workers, but some if their bosses are insisting they return and they have no childcare options as most childcare places are just taking keyworker kids. I understand the concern around grandparents. It's a real problem. I can only empathise and hope you can talk your boss round...

popcorndiva · 04/07/2020 22:37

Yes they can choose to furlough you or choose not as I said they from now on must top up the governments grant to make the full 80%. This is because most businesses are now allowed to reopen except of course some leisure, entertainment and beauty. Why would they spend money letting you stay at home if they have work for you which would make them money?

ScottishStottie · 04/07/2020 22:37

Your workplace can claim furlough for you due to childcare, but they dont have to. You have no 'rights' to furlough due to childcare. Now that your employer has to contribute to furlough payments, i would imagine that if they are able to open, they will want you back at work. How you arrange that is up to you.

RandomMess · 04/07/2020 22:38

I guess I would put in writing to your employer:

I am unable to find childcare for my children due to Covid 19 as they are not able to return to school nor is there currently any childcare facilities for the school holidays. In accordance to government guidance please would you continue to furlough me due to having to care for my children.

If I am able to find childcare for them prior to returning to school in September I will get in touch immediately.

As an aside I would look for childcare - furlough is flexible so if you can only find it for 2/3 weeks you can go on and off furlough. You could advertise for someone to come and be a temporary nanny/babysitter - university students looking for summer work? Even if it were only for 3 days per week it could be something.

It may be a case of preparing food, house being a bomb site but as long they were kept safe by a baby sitter?

RandomMess · 04/07/2020 22:38

I guess I would put in writing to your employer:

I am unable to find childcare for my children due to Covid 19 as they are not able to return to school nor is there currently any childcare facilities for the school holidays. In accordance to government guidance please would you continue to furlough me due to having to care for my children.

If I am able to find childcare for them prior to returning to school in September I will get in touch immediately.

As an aside I would look for childcare - furlough is flexible so if you can only find it for 2/3 weeks you can go on and off furlough. You could advertise for someone to come and be a temporary nanny/babysitter - university students looking for summer work? Even if it were only for 3 days per week it could be something.

It may be a case of preparing food, house being a bomb site but as long they were kept safe by a baby sitter?

Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:38

@Argggghhneedclarity Thankyou yeah people are very rude on here. I know it’s my responsibility and I know I’m not the only one with this problem but that doesn’t make it any easier.

OP posts:
UnmentionedElephantDildo · 04/07/2020 22:38

Your employer can furlough you, but there is nothing to say they must

If they require you back, you and DH need to sort out childcare, or you take it in turns to take (unpaid) parental leave.

There are lots of sixth formers and students whose summer plans have been cancelled. Couid you employ one as a temporary nanny?

Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:42

@RandomMess thanks that is helpful. I work Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday and every other Saturday. I would look for a holiday camp but I sousing feel comfortable leaving them with a sitter that I don’t know (hear to many horror stories) the template is good I will use that If I have too

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:47

I work for a huge company it’s not a little independent business!! They have been fantastic giving me 100% wage I do appreciate it and it’s nothing against them I understand it’s my problem

OP posts:
RandomMess · 04/07/2020 22:47

For a start you could ask to work every Saturday as your DH can look after them? Is working Sundays a possibility too?

I believe the revised scheme is "flexible" so you can be part furloughed each week. Also could you do half days? I'm sure you could find an appropriate babysitter for 4/5 hours per day via a professional agency that do checks on the people on their books?

Original poster
Lifeisconfusing · 04/07/2020 22:49

@RandomMess currently they are closed weekends. I will have to look into the holiday camps on Monday thanks for your advice

OP posts:
treefrograbbit · 04/07/2020 22:51

Do you have any holiday to take?

Maybe use two weeks, two weeks childcare, two weeks grandparents?

Would that work.

Parker231 · 04/07/2020 22:54

What holiday dates does your DH have booked off work - that will cover some weeks. He could also apply for some parental leave.