Am I missing the point here...

[kookykins]

I'm going to try and make this as measured as I can and try not to make it come across like a torrent of frustration.

Why is it that teachers are getting to say when schools go back? Why does it feel like teachers are constantly complaining about the virus? No one is an ideal situation right now so why does it feel like they are being allowed to 'opt out' of their careers now times are tough.

I work in a busy NHS hospital and It honestly sickens and saddens me that there are men and women, many parents relying on schools to open, relying on their children's education being properly resumed next week they are giving life saving treatment in dire situations every day. I haven't heard them complaining about having to come in and save lives work extra hours and a lot on low pay.

Teachers to an extent have chosen a career to support teach and mentor our children I feel when the going has got touch (very tough fair enough) they are opting out...however many of these teachers will expect ITU nurses to treat someone in their family who happens to get ill with this virus. How can this be? How is this ok?

I have friends who are teachers who don't feel like this and who want to get back to work but are very much being pulled along by the union so I don't want to paint all teachers with the same brush...

What happens to the children who need to go back to school, who need that hot meal that support that escape? Do they not matter?

Surely the children of this country are a higher priority right now?
Teachers and unions are being given insane amounts of power right now and I don't understand it. If we are all meant to 'be in it together' then why aren't we all cracking on like the next person and getting on with our jobs because we realise the impact if we don't...

Rant over...

I do see your point but if you think government guidance is followed in all work places, you're mistaken.

Certainly in my experience the big companies want to be seen to be taking measures but they really don't give a shit about the workers, or limiting transmission. Following guidelines negatively impacts the building targets and profits. It isn't happening at ground level.

I don't want to de rail the thread so won't keep banging on about the construction industry now.

@Strand27

Nikh And the same goes for the many many nhs staff who have been working from home( unlike school staff) all through the pandemic.

I'm sure a vast majority shouldn't be using the key worker provision. Especially if they are in management positions.

Some NHS roles, for example, an NHS psychologist dealing with suicidal patients, should be allowed to WFH and should be entitled to the key worker provision.

But key worker provision should be strictly limited and strictly assessed. And everyone who can, needs to be wearing PPE.

Why should a child psychologist be allowed to work from home but teachers teaching the same children ( along with 29 others) in far more cramped environments shouldn’t?

@Strand27

Why should a child psychologist be allowed to work from home but teachers teaching the same children ( along with 29 others) in far more cramped environments shouldn’t?

We are discussing key worker provision. Not whether someone should be able to work from home or not.

You said psychologists “should” be allowed to work from home

@SmileyClare @Nikhedonia I can't help but agree and there had been evidence of other industries being in the same position as teachers but many not getting paid if they can't come into work..we don't hear their voices do we...

@Strand27

You said psychologists “should” be allowed to work from home

Yes, assuming we are in a situation where all schools are closed and we are in a "full lockdown". Teachers in this scenario are also working from home.

(And schools are only open for key worker and vulnerable children)

I’m baffled as to why it’s deemed ok for child psychologists and other nhs face to face roles to work from home when very needy children won’t / can’t deal with video calls but teachers working in far more dangerous environments can’t.

Oh actually I do know why- it’s a childcare issue, let’s be honest.

Nikh in full lockdown teachers are working from home snd in school. Live lessons and dealing with other sensitive private issues aren’t best done with an audience or interruptions.

@Fortherosesjoni70

The whole point of schools closing is: To protect children from the virus To protect their families from the virus To protect it from spreading out of control To stop it mutating. To protect the nhs!! Remember the place that YOU work for!!

If this is the case, the teachers and unions do not get a say. Don’t conflate arguments!

the Unions and teachers get to decide if they think it is too unsafe to work.
Headteachers and Governors get to decide if the minimum safety levels have been adhered to.
The local and national government get to decide policy.

I happen to agree that schools should close and the chance of my voting for this government is negligible - but these are the decisions makers people voted for. It is wrong that unelected unions are driving the policy and trying to say it is for the Children’s benefit. A bit trump-like.

@Nikhedonia

I knew it, so bloody predictable. Teachers expecting parents to WFH and look after children at the same time, but won't do it themselves.

So incredibly predictable. No wonder you have such little support.

For the first time ever, I'm really bloody glad I'm in a Tory constituency.

This this and this

Total double standards, hilarious really

And no point quoting NHS staff who clearly aren't front line WFH, not the same thing at all

[quote kookykins]**@SmileyClare* @Nikhedonia* I can't help but agree and there had been evidence of other industries being in the same position as teachers but many not getting paid if they can't come into work..we don't hear their voices do we...[/quote]
When you say 'we', what you actually mean is 'I'. You might not be aware OP but other people are. You are very poorly informed and your comments read like a regurgitation of trite Daily Mail anti-teaching tropes.

You keep referring to "my teacher friends" - somehow I doubt they exist. You've made them up haven't you? Just as you have made up loads of other crap on this thread of yours. I mean, claiming that "teachers and unions have an insane amount of power right now" - what an ill informed comment. Clearly you know nothing - you should be embarrassed at your stupidity, frankly. I know I would be if I was you

@Fortherosesjoni70

The whole point of schools closing is: To protect children from the virus To protect their families from the virus To protect it from spreading out of control To stop it mutating. To protect the nhs!! Remember the place that YOU work for!!

This.

@Strand27

Nikh in full lockdown teachers are working from home snd in school. Live lessons and dealing with other sensitive private issues aren’t best done with an audience or interruptions.

Lots of people (me included) deal with sensitive issues at work and are expected to look after my child at the same time. Teachers working from home are no different. They should not be given key worker status and permitted to put their children in school.

@ofgavin I'd like to say I'm surprised but I'm not.

The teachers working from home and using key worker provision are hypocrites.

*to look after their child/ren

Ok if not given hey worker status they should be able to take leave of compress their hours, not turn up to meetings or classes but make up the time when enables them to care for their children?

And you’re ok with your exam year children having toddlers running amok during lessons and teachers only able to half concentrate and not keep the noise down?

As a parent I’m not.

Right, I'll chair disciplinary hearings at 9pm once DD has gone to bed. I'm sure the employee who is being disciplined will appreciate that. Or shall I just not show up to it?

My daughters school is now confirmed to be closed...

I am the only key worker in the family so we may not get the provision so I'll be off work next week...

It just doesn't seem fair

They should not be given key worker status and permitted to put their children in school.

Wow it gets even better. So teachers aren’t key workers? Yet we are fucked if teachers don’t go into work. Some people are ridiculous

It just doesn't seem fair

Nothing is fair about covid

@Strand27

And you’re ok with your exam year children having toddlers running amok during lessons and teachers only able to half concentrate and not keep the noise down?

As a parent I’m not.

Are you happy with your friends or family being told that they are losing their job in the same conditions? Or having a 1:1 with their line manager wanting to discuss severe mental health issues, bereavement, cancer, or a multitude of other issues a manager faces...