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Original poster

Are any other teachers considering not returning to work until after they have vaccine...

128 replies

RoseTintedAtuin · 03/01/2021 13:44

And other protections have been provided for them and students?
I have asked my DH not to go back to work in schools until after he has been vaccinated and until measures are in place to allow them to social distance and protect children and staff.
I have seen many threads of parents who simply cannot cope without their children attending schools and I understand this (and ideally would support schools being open in a safe manner). However the right to education for children does not trump the right to be safe at work.
I feel we as a society have failed teachers and pupils by allowing/expecting them to continue to work in an unsustainable manner throughout this pandemic.
I do not want my DH to be at risk, and I wonder how many other teachers/spouses of teachers are feeling the same? Are any others considering leaving the profession even temporarily until their safety is made more of a consideration?

OP posts:
hobbyiscodefordogging · 04/01/2021 01:56

Never mind, schools can be closed and then employers can furlough all the parents like the TUC are calling for because there's no childcare. We can all get free money! 🥳

Bloody unions. Who's going to pay for all this shit?

OpheliasCrayon · 04/01/2021 04:32

No. I'm going in as long as the schools open. I'm CEV, I haven't shielded and due to severe allergies I won't be having any of the vaccines. I react so badly to so much I wouldn't have had it even if the info about allergies hadn't come out, and as such even if there are no contradictions to the oxford one I won't have that either.
I dont mind, happy to work and happy to not risk killing myself with a vaccine.

Tyranttoddler · 04/01/2021 06:42

@Folicky

Wear a visor and scrubs like others who are public facing, shut tfu and do your job! No pay rises for teachers for the foreseeable future, they had a job to do during a global crisis and they didn't do it. Give us all this time off, we can't possibly do our job and home school our own children, we'lll just scan a load of shit from Twinkl for your kids and call that 'working'. Never has there been a greater need for a showdown with a hubristic, deluded unions. The epitome of a busted flush.
Wtf are you on about. The government have called for my school to close, nothing to do with unions. We aren't allowed to wear scrubs and visors, don't be bizarre. Ps I'm just gearing up to teach 5 live lessons today, but you crack on with your twinkl shite 👍
MarshaBradyo · 04/01/2021 06:56

[quote RoseTintedAtuin]@SpikySara exactly, the government aren’t protecting teachers, the unions don’t seem to be doing a great job which means teachers need to protect themselves. Walking away if necessary until they feel safe. I appreciate my/my DH’s position is privileged in that we should be able to cope with belt tightening and savings (for a period anyway) and was wondering how others in similar positions were feeling.[/quote]
Op does he have to give notice and work for that period?

Whatever9999 · 04/01/2021 07:07

@RoseTintedAtuin

And other protections have been provided for them and students? I have asked my DH not to go back to work in schools until after he has been vaccinated and until measures are in place to allow them to social distance and protect children and staff. I have seen many threads of parents who simply cannot cope without their children attending schools and I understand this (and ideally would support schools being open in a safe manner). However the right to education for children does not trump the right to be safe at work. I feel we as a society have failed teachers and pupils by allowing/expecting them to continue to work in an unsustainable manner throughout this pandemic. I do not want my DH to be at risk, and I wonder how many other teachers/spouses of teachers are feeling the same? Are any others considering leaving the profession even temporarily until their safety is made more of a consideration?
Genuine question. What "other protections" would you expect to be in place and for how long once he's vaccinated??

You do realise that once enough people have been vaccinated social distancing, masks, etc will disappear, don't you?
Yeah I know some of the scientists would like them to carry on forever, but do you really think thr population at large are going to carry on with them?

Spaghettipie1 · 04/01/2021 08:33

So should I do the same? As a nurse working with Covid patients? Or my police officer friends who break up "freedom" anti-covid parties with nothing more than gloves or a mask? Or retail workers? Or bus drivers? Yes, push for ppe and protection, but don't jump the vaccine queue, it's not only teachers, others just don't seem to make the same fuss!

twinklespells · 04/01/2021 09:04

@Nicknamegoeshere guidance changed. Bf women can have the Pfizer one.

Hardbackwriter · 04/01/2021 09:22

@2boysand1princess

My sister is a teacher and is low risk, 29 years old, but she’s not happy with the way things are at her very large secondary school. She requested to her school that she wanted to go off without pay. This was back in March and teachers at her school were still going in for key workers. She looks after our grand dad and was petrified of giving the virus to him. Her work allowed this arrangement until September. In September they basically said they will end her contract if she doesn’t come back. She’s been back since. However, now she is planning to go off with stress for at least 6 months as they are being deliberately unreasonable with her. If she goes off with stress it will be full pay as well, so really the school have lost out as she was willing to stay off without pay as long as they didn’t end her contract. She’s financially stable as she doesn’t have a mortgage to pay or bills. Though her wage did help with “extras”. Her DH is in a very decent, well paid job, she worked as a teacher only because she is actually an outstanding teacher/head of dept and has really helped that school get decent results when they were struggling so much.
She might find that it isn't as easy to 'go off with stress for at least six months' as she assumes...
Hardbackwriter · 04/01/2021 09:24

And, no, it hasn't occurred to us that DH might give up on being paid until the time when (if) he has the vaccine.

IfIHadAHeart · 04/01/2021 09:57

Yes I think you should refuse to work until the vaccine. I’m a police officer so I think I should do the same, along with all of my colleagues. And nurses, doctors, supermarket workers, delivery drivers and so on.

Honestly I’m sick of these threads, and I’m struggling to understand what makes teachers any more bloody special than the rest of us. I am at huge risk in my job, but it’s not one we could all just decide we don’t want to do anymore - there would literally be chaos on the streets. Judging by my DCs schools you are afforded far more protection from Covid than I am. So it’s not just extra measures you want now (I’m unsure what else could possibly be done anyway) or lockdowns, it’s not to work until vaccinated! Thankfully the vast majority of other professions just knuckle down and do the job they are paid for.

Doublefaced · 04/01/2021 11:27

@IfIHadAHeart

Yes I think you should refuse to work until the vaccine. I’m a police officer so I think I should do the same, along with all of my colleagues. And nurses, doctors, supermarket workers, delivery drivers and so on.

Honestly I’m sick of these threads, and I’m struggling to understand what makes teachers any more bloody special than the rest of us. I am at huge risk in my job, but it’s not one we could all just decide we don’t want to do anymore - there would literally be chaos on the streets. Judging by my DCs schools you are afforded far more protection from Covid than I am. So it’s not just extra measures you want now (I’m unsure what else could possibly be done anyway) or lockdowns, it’s not to work until vaccinated! Thankfully the vast majority of other professions just knuckle down and do the job they are paid for.

This.
hobbyiscodefordogging · 04/01/2021 11:40

@IfIHadAHeart

Yes I think you should refuse to work until the vaccine. I’m a police officer so I think I should do the same, along with all of my colleagues. And nurses, doctors, supermarket workers, delivery drivers and so on.

Honestly I’m sick of these threads, and I’m struggling to understand what makes teachers any more bloody special than the rest of us. I am at huge risk in my job, but it’s not one we could all just decide we don’t want to do anymore - there would literally be chaos on the streets. Judging by my DCs schools you are afforded far more protection from Covid than I am. So it’s not just extra measures you want now (I’m unsure what else could possibly be done anyway) or lockdowns, it’s not to work until vaccinated! Thankfully the vast majority of other professions just knuckle down and do the job they are paid for.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

IrmaFayLear · 04/01/2021 11:52

God, there are selfish people around. Going off with stress on full pay to avoid work - strewth.

Round of applause for those carrying on - and of course other public-facing workers. I think prison officers never get much of a look-in.

VodselForDinner · 04/01/2021 12:23

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady

*Emmie12345

Why don’t they just vaccinate all teachers next week then send them back to work

They’d still complain and want paid time off until the jab-site boo-boo didn’t hurt anymore.*

Oh fuck off #notateacher #youreatwat

You know that, much like teachers in a pandemic, hashtags don’t work on this website?
Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 13:32

You appear to be trying to twist the meaning of the thread and some are outright putting words in my mouth. Many still seem to think I am a teacher (despite repeatedly stating I am not). Again, I am not a teacher, I am the spouse of a teacher who is scared for his health. We have discussed and decided it may be better for his health for him not to return to work until he has had a vaccine. He will not be furloughed or paid so we will cover the cost.
I am not suggesting it would be appropriate for all teachers to do this but I do think it should be a conversation that is had and particular circumstances and risks should be acknowledged on an individual level. Since when has a person been obligated to stay in a profession if it is unhealthy for them? As far as I’m aware you are free to leave any profession.

OP posts:
BunsyGirl · 04/01/2021 13:52

@IfIHadAHeart Agree with you 100 per cent.

BunsyGirl · 04/01/2021 13:55

The attached graph shows why it so important to vaccinate certain groups. The thought that a teacher below the age of 50 with no underlying health conditions should get the vaccine ahead of any of these groups is repugnant.

Are any other teachers considering not returning to work until after they have vaccine...
Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 14:07

@BunsyGirl thank you for that. My husband is not under 50 and I am in no way suggesting he jump the queue. I agree with the order of priority although do think teachers should be prioritised above the general public (e.g those who work from home and can limit contact). I am in no way suggesting he should get vaccine sooner than others due to his profession. I am simply stating I do not think it is safe for him to be in schools the way they are and would like him to stop until he is safe at work.

OP posts:
Theredjellybean · 04/01/2021 14:22

@RoseTintedAtuin
No one is forcing your dh to stay in his "unsafe" job, please tell him to resign.
We arw going to face huge unemployment and I am advising my younger friends to start teacher training now... As so many current teachers seem to want to quit.
I think it is disgusting if teachers want to go off sick for months on full pay, or expect to effectively strike by using the section 44 Union promoted loophole.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 14:30

@Theredjellybean yes, that is what I’ve asked him to do. We are in a fortunate position and I was wondering what discussions other teachers families have had regarding safeguarding their health as I know many are not in such a position. I fully support teachers using section 44 for unsafe workplaces and I do not believe it is a loophole but is a safeguard for all workers. However this thread isn’t really about that, it is about individual families positions and considerations and supporting teachers who effectively feel they are between a rock and a hard place.

OP posts:
EasterIssland · 04/01/2021 14:38

@BunsyGirl

The attached graph shows why it so important to vaccinate certain groups. The thought that a teacher below the age of 50 with no underlying health conditions should get the vaccine ahead of any of these groups is repugnant.
Thanks for this! It’s something nobody has replied me yet in these threads why should a 35yo with no health problems teacher have it before my 96yo neighbour and nobody has replied me yet If it was to avoid transmission then I’d understand this. But these vaccines mainly protect the nhs so a 35yo teacher most likely wouldn’t use a bed if caught the virus
Jijithecat · 04/01/2021 14:41

@IrmaFayLear I know I am derailing the thread here somewhat, but I've been thinking about prison officers recently and how awful the current situation must be for them. They already work in challenging circumstances without throwing covid into the mix. I can't imagine they get much in the way of PPE and covid has gone through the prisons yet they just seem to get on with the job.

MarshaBradyo · 04/01/2021 14:42

Rose if he resigns does he still have to work his notice? Is it a term

MarshaBradyo · 04/01/2021 14:43

Which I guess he can do from home?

Toomuchtodo21 · 04/01/2021 15:22

I have just had to reactivate my account to comment on this.

I’m a dr. My husband is a dr. I have just driven 300miles to drop my four year old with my elderly vulnerable parents for childcare and I won’t see her for a week or maybe longer as her school is closed and Key worker provision is reduced hours (they have closed the after school club) so finding out today that the teachers have section 44 so the school can’t open meant some v last monitor plans to make sure I can work tonight. I won’t see her again until the school reopens.

I didn’t stop either way or go inside my parents house. I’m working nights on a maternity ward tonight so haven’t been sleep like I should before my shift due to having to take my kid across the country for childcare. I am at work in 5 hrs and some of the ladies will be covid positive. PPE is a paper mask and a plastic pinny even with the confirmed covid cases. I might get a vaccine in February according to work My husband is in a similar situation regards patients and ppe (he’s working today so could drive kid) but his trust still dosent have any vaccines.

So teachers refusing to work is causing parents like me to go to work looking after ladies delivering and doing c sections with no sleep not knowing when I can next see my child...working with people with known covid, shite ppe and no vaccine in sight. I am doing this for you, I don’t need to work as my husbands wage would support us but o know my ward is short staffed and if I don’t do this then people could die. I am utterly fed up with sacrificing my family because teachers won’t do their jobs, and now they want the vaccine before doctors and nurses.

Teachers need to just get on with it

Nb the evidence dosent show the vaccine stops transmission just that it stops the person who gets it getting very ill. So teachers getting it won’t protect society and won’t reduce R it will just protect the I social teacher. Why do they think they are better than the rest of us?