Returning to the office now kids back at school

[Holly1293]

Hi there,

Does anyone know current guidance for parents who had been working from hone whilst schools were shut?

Is it still "if you can work from home, do work from home", or is it now expected that as kids are back, parents should return to their office jobs as normal?

Boss wants me back in office full time but we are no longer using our childcare (grandparents) as they are in 70's and want to be cautious, so I would have to do all pickups (so easier for me to do so if I'm working from home). Also concerned about all this 'mixing' with two kids in two separate schools, and then mixing in workplace.

Just for context, I occasionally worked from home before all this, but once schools shut, worked from home exclusively. I popped into office a couple of times early morning before anyone else was there to pick up anything as necessary, and have been in a couple of times for an hour or so for meetings etc.

I was hoping to drop kids off at school, go to office for an hour or so and pick up anything I need, and then work rest of day from home, taking late lunch to collect kids.

Depends where you are? Think advice in Wales and Scotland is to wfh if you can. I’m in a similar position

It's the same guidance for everyone. If they want you back at the office then you need to go back to the office.

Back to the office, I’m afraid. Your boss has been flexible through the pandemic, but we need to move back towards normality.

I work in the office and DS is at school. We need to suck it up and carry on now.

Back to the office, although I see your point regarding kids being back to school and the increased contacts which could potentially spread to the workplace. It is for this reason that we are going in and WFH in split teams to reduce contact and minimise the risk.

If your boss wants you back then you go back

It's up to your employer whether they want you back or not and for what hours/days etc. As long as they're following safety guidelines.

Teachers have all of those concerns (I too am unable to rely on GP childcare). I think you'll probably find you have to go back or resign.

Up to your employer really. I work in a small office with two older gentlemen - both with health issues so I am going to continue to work from home and they are happy with that.

So much usual childcare not yet back in place. This is my big concern- totally happy to work from office when there is a clear business purpose but all our after-school childcare provision has now vanished... This doesn't seem to be being talked about much as a factor but it's massive.

I WFH part of my working week anyway before this all hit, I'd quite like to do some work with my team in the office, but with a 1.5 hour commute I'm not sure how on earth to square that with a 3.20pm pick up???

In terms of guidance, there isn’t any so it’s going to be up to your employer.

Although the government have said that schools are the priority and that as covid numbers rise again they’ll shut down everything else before they close schools again, so I expect you’ll be able to wfh again quite soon, given that’s possible for your job.

Dh works for the the NHS, office job, they’ve said they’re not going to think about returning to the office till January at the earliest. No “suck it up and return to normal” there. And I imagine they might know what they’re talking about.

You can ask to continue to WFH,reduce hours ,take unpaid leave
But ultimately if your boss wants you back you will have to do that
We have pretty well let people work their own hours,work while looking after children at home etc etc but now schools are back we want all staff back

Although many enlightened employers are planning on staff WFH till 2021 where possible.

@Rosti1981

So much usual childcare not yet back in place. This is my big concern- totally happy to work from office when there is a clear business purpose but all our after-school childcare provision has now vanished... This doesn't seem to be being talked about much as a factor but it's massive.

I WFH part of my working week anyway before this all hit, I'd quite like to do some work with my team in the office, but with a 1.5 hour commute I'm not sure how on earth to square that with a 3.20pm pick up???

This is also a concern for many working out of the home already. I’m a teacher and have no choice but to use grandparents as wraparound care isn’t available yet. I have a one hour commute.

No there's been no mention of wraparound childcare for teachers either, and neither can we resign.

Does every thread have to be hijacked and turned into yet another round of "teachers have it even harder, don't you know"?

@user12642379742146

Does every thread have to be hijacked and turned into yet another round of "teachers have it even harder, don't you know"?

Must've missed your practical contribution to the OPs question 🤔

The government are keen to get as many people into the office as possible now that the nationwide restrictions have been eased and kids are back in school in order to mitigate a looming economic catastrophe. To be frank, your childcare issues are not your employers problem. You can speak to them to see if they can allow you some flexibility but there is no imperative for them to do so. Alternatively, find other childcare like many other working parents do or resign/ find another job. Good luck!

The point is @user12642379742146, why are office workers' childcare problems a consideration when teachers' aren't (not to mention their health)?

I think I am as 'enlightened' as anyone else
But we need all staff back so we can hit the ground running after a difficult 6 months
This is in the interests of preserving as many jobs as possible (mine included)
Sadly saving all jobs is not going to be possible
We need to make money,it's as simple as that
Obviously it's completely different in the public sector

To be frank, your childcare issues are not your employers problem. You can speak to them to see if they can allow you some flexibility but there is no imperative for them to do so
Very true

As the children will be mixing more now, perhaps it is beneficial for employers to keep parents working from home to increase any potential need for many employees to self-isolate. Providing you can effectively work from home, without the usual childcare options available at the moment this is the argument I would take to the employer to see if that flexibility can be accommodated for the time being, with of course you saying if there is urgent need for you to be physically present in the office that you will be there.

What other options do you have? Present a case to your employer that works for all.

Offices have been found to be the second worst location for attack rates after the home.

Numbers are already going up now + people are returning to offices = inevitable disaster in November/December IMO.

There’s a reason Sweden still recommends citizens work from home.

Hi there, this is the relevant page on the government website
www.gov.uk/check-how-to-return-to-work-safely
If you scroll down there’s a bit about childcare and dependants, and it mentions making a flexible working request.

Another one in a similar situation (granny minds the kids on the days I work but my FIL is older and on the vulnerable list) so I have now have no childcare.

I suspect with the lack of home tests available [we don't drive] I'll be spending most of the winter in quarantine anyway.