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Original poster

Any other key workers needing to give up work. So worried

41 replies

Thatsmycupoftea · 04/01/2021 23:25

Hi all,

I bet loads of people are in this position tonight. What are you all doing about it?

My school are only taking key worker children if both parents are critical key workers. I am, but dh is not. Dh cannot work from home as he is an engineer and needs to be on site to build and design stuff. He's our main earner and we can't live without his salary. He took all the time off during the first lockdown and has exhausted this option. His company is staying open.

My work won't pay me to have 6 weeks off to look after my children and we really can't afford to lose my salary either right now.
I have no annual leave left because one of my dc has been ill this year and required hospital stays and operations and I have used it for that.

What is everyone going to do.
I'm so worried about losing my job.
I know loads of people are in this boat and loads have already lost jobs. I was so confident that my job was secure and I have worked my backside off throughout this pandemic till the point of burnout (doing extra hours upon hours for free) and it feels like a massive kick in the teeth.

Sorry to rant.
Stay safe and strong everyone.

OP posts:
Lysistratathereindeer · 05/01/2021 20:56

I don't think it's an unusual position to be in unfortunately. Three friends of mine are HCPs, DHs work in the private sector. I work in the private sector, DH is a keyworker. All friends refused spaces at schools so are asking for unpaid leave: they will resign if necessary. If the nurseries close DH will be resigning. How many HCPs and other keyworkers will we lose because public sector pay doesn't keep up with private?

butmumineedit · 05/01/2021 21:01

I have just checked on the DFE website and guidance there is only 1 parent needs to be a keyworker to qualify for a school place .

At our local school they are asking for you to only use it in the days you need so for example if you both at work on certain days or if you start at 2pm they are asking for your child to come in at lunchtime as that frees a place up for the morning for another child to use if need be, which I think is fairly flexible of them

Any other key workers needing to give up work. So worried
HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 05/01/2021 21:01

Why can’t their partners change their work pattern short term?why does the woman,the key worker take the hit?
How many How many HCPs and other keyworkers will we lose private sector workers are Inflexible ?

Mousehole10 · 05/01/2021 21:24

@butmumineedit

I have just checked on the DFE website and guidance there is only 1 parent needs to be a keyworker to qualify for a school place .

At our local school they are asking for you to only use it in the days you need so for example if you both at work on certain days or if you start at 2pm they are asking for your child to come in at lunchtime as that frees a place up for the morning for another child to use if need be, which I think is fairly flexible of them

It may say that but it's guidance, not law. Schools can prioritise as they can only take so many students. Lots are only taking children with two key worker parents.
Lysistratathereindeer · 05/01/2021 21:29

Heels My HCP friends are willing to either take unpaid leave or simply resign because they know that there is always a shortage of nurses/doctors so won't struggle to find another job. In the middle of a recession, it's not so easy in the private sector.

I'd be happy to be flexible, but if nurseries shut one of us will have to look after DD and it will be the higher earner who stays working. Simple economics.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 05/01/2021 21:32

So they have partners who won’t be flexible and they’re expected to resign... because the private sector partner won’t accommodate the kw in a crisis

Helspopje · 05/01/2021 21:32

Y sort of
NHS consultant
I have had to ask for Emergency Leave as I can’t access a KW space for my primary aged children

TwoCupsOfLemonTea · 05/01/2021 21:37

@Helspopje

Y sort of NHS consultant I have had to ask for Emergency Leave as I can’t access a KW space for my primary aged children

But you couldn't be much more 'frontline' than a doctor or a nurse! .. that's crazy that you can't get a space (unless your partner is a SAHP)

JaninaDuszejko · 05/01/2021 21:45

I'm really surprised your DH isn't classified as a keyworker. What kind of engineer is he? Chemical engineers, civil engineers and software engineers (to my knowledge) are critical workers according to the guidance, suspect more are as well. What kind of engineer is he and can he check with his employer if he is considered a critical worker. Can he WFH some of the time (I know it depends on the age and personality of the DC as well how possible it is to WFH and keep home schooling up) to allow you to work. I think he and his employer do need to be flexible in the current situation.

Putting in a request to work for unpaid leave is an option but as PPs said you aren't guaranteed to get it. But a discussion with your school and manager (not together) about the current situation means you may have to hand in your resignation may make one of them move. Agree worth exploring vulnerable child status due to health issues with school is another angle to use.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 05/01/2021 21:53

I have to say any private sector company that won’t allow short term adjustments in work pattern during lockdown and crisis, is short sighted with a a poor moral compass. Given it’d facilitate supporting & retaining an NHS worker

ssd · 05/01/2021 21:56

Awful situation @Thatsmycupoftea and so wrong. I'm sorry about this,its so very unfair.

I hope you get something sorted.

Original poster
Thatsmycupoftea · 05/01/2021 21:58

Thanks all just thought I'd update.

School have given us a place thank goodness. Think it's partly because of my job but also because my eldests vulnerabilities and being unwell.

My dh had also arranged to take some hours off here and there and work around my diary and I was going to work at night where possible. His boss was OK in the end once dh told him the full extent that I might have to resign and he did agree to work with us.
Dh is always willing to work around my work and really values my career but obviously her earns more so in these situation his job means more to our family.

Glad we don't need to now as I'm exhausted as it is. I have only just finished work now and I stated at 8.30am. Could not imagine trying to do this every single day as well as trying to home school.

Sorry to everyone else in this position or anyone who is struggling due to the pandemic. It's just blood horrendous.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thatsmycupoftea · 05/01/2021 22:00

Sorry the paragraph spaces have disappeared in my response

OP posts:
ssd · 05/01/2021 22:00

That's a relief @Thatsmycupoftea

ssd · 05/01/2021 22:02

Did you say your eldest was unwell? I'm sorry.Flowers

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 05/01/2021 22:40

Good that you got a school place
And yes it’s bloody brutal in nhs at the mo

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