Key workers WFH vs Non Key Workers WFH

[ChickenPot]

Is there a difference?

Have seen a few threads of key workers WFH mentioning sending their children to school. However, having been WFH since March but not classified as a key worker this hasn't been an option.

Surely there's no difference? I assumed a key worker was someone who had to work on the frontline, aka not able to do their job from home and therefore allowances had to be made.

But if not, what constitutes as a key worker then?

Doesn't seem very fair on those who have been struggling to juggle keeping down a job alongside home schooling throughout the lockdowns. It's as though your job is important enough that you have to keep working throughout the pandemic, but not important enough for any help.

The list of keyworkers is very well defined. Just because you are WFH doesn't make you a non key worker. Google the gov.uk list if you are curious.

Someone already mentioned teachers WFH doing your kids online lessons. Or finanical services with insurance payouts and benefit payments. I'm a keyworker in utilities data infrastructure. We supply many hospitals, doctor's surgeries and govt departments.

I mostly wfh. I listen to and watch the kind of sensitive material that quite frankly it would be a child protection issue if I exposed a 7 year old to it. In addition I could be called into the office at short notice to look at material that could potentially cause someone to get harmed or killed if it was revealed. Dh is also a keyworker, technically can wfh for some aspects of his job although tends not to (become possible since lockdown 1) but it is unrelenting for hours at a time, no breaks except when allowed by others and could actually be disciplined if someone came into the room with him. Because of this we will be taking a keyworker place if offered, if not one of us will not be able to work.

Someone just posted the same thing as me. Exactly that I could be called to attend emergencies.

I always think I’m in a grey area here. I work for a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, so not public sector or even working with the public. We’ve been told we are absolutely key workers - and tbh if we shut down, tens of thousands of patients wouldn’t have any medication. I’m currently wfh 2 days a week, but realistically need to be in the other 3 days as I have to work in the laboratories. Some colleagues are wfh full-time though - validation and quality managers, supply chain etc. They’re often the extremely professionally-qualified people who are signing off on batches, shipments etc, and who would be very difficult to replace.

My kids’ school have said keyworker places are either full-time or nothing, and they’re not doing any wrap-around care. So I’ve given up with keyworker places, and my children are going to my parents. I appreciate I’m very fortunate to have that option.

@Thriwit I would use my parents if I had the choice. It's better not to mix with the groups at school and stay with smaller bubbles. I use my childminder for wraparound and she's allowed to continue with keyworker provision.

@NotGenerationAlpha My parents are both over 70 and my dad is diabetic (although well-controlled), so I was hoping to avoid putting them at any further risk. I’m still at risk at work - we’ve had many positive cases over the last few months. So I fear bringing it home and passing it on to my parents via my kids, who are likely to be asymptomatic.

There’s a list here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

I’m a critical worker who is able to fully wfh.

@Thriwit sorry, didn't know the circumstances. A lot of DC friends' grandparents are fit and healthy. They were doing pick ups and drop offs through the pandemic. It's like everyone says, the pandemic is making is making it very hard for women with no family support to stay in work.

Based on that list, my husband and I are both key workers. Yet according to the School, as we work from home, we are not. Frustrating!

[quote NotGenerationAlpha]@Thriwit sorry, didn't know the circumstances. A lot of DC friends' grandparents are fit and healthy. They were doing pick ups and drop offs through the pandemic. It's like everyone says, the pandemic is making is making it very hard for women with no family support to stay in work.[/quote]
It is really worrying the impact this will have on so many women and their careers. A colleague of mine has requested being furloughed in order to look after her two girls, she took a few weeks in lockdown one and I imagine will do the same this time around, alongside using up holidays. I understand completely why she needs to do this, but just knowing the attitude of our workplace, this will 100% be frowned upon by many and impact her working her way up. She’s relatively new too. Absolutely horrible, but it’s definitely what will happen.

@NotGenerationAlpha Oh absolutely! I’m a single parent, but my kids’ dad has them EOW. So he’s working as normal (although largely working from home now!). This pandemic has had minimal effect on him.

I absolutely think women are being disproportionately effected - both working mothers and also grandmothers. All we can do is try to rearrange our lives the best we can, and mitigate risk wherever we can. It is exhausting though.

DH is a key worker and has wfh since March. He talks to (often vulnerable) people on the phone and processes benefit payments, often very complex cases. No way could he do this if we had small DC in the house (we live in a tiny flat with no outside space). If he were a single parent attempting to do so it would be impossible.

I don’t want mine in anyway. If it’s not safe it’s not safe. Also I’ve heard that it is a long and boring day for younger kids in our local hub. I’d rather my six year old was here

Husband and I are both full time from home btw. Starting to get people at work asking “can you not argue that you’re key workers??” No I don’t believe we can.

I'm a key worker working from home however I am a probation officer who goes out of the home to visit high risk offenders. I also make calls and video calls whilst in the home to said offenders. I have to discuss the offences they have committed as well as their lifestyle is this something I should do with my 9 year old in earshot? Please don't judge others... we are all doing our best with what we have.

I will also add I have kept my teenager home as she stays in her room and is not as affected by over hearing my conversations.

@ChickenPot

Based on that list, my husband and I are both key workers. Yet according to the School, as we work from home, we are not. Frustrating!

Work should offer a letter to explain why you still need provision working from home. Mine did.

@NothingIsWrong

I'm a keyworker and I can do some work from home and some not, I'm on call as well. However it's not predictable from day to day whether I'll be in or not. So sometimes I will be working from home. However, school say I can't just dip in and out - I can have a place but it has to be set.

Same. My time out of the house is unpredictable, the school asked for as much predictability as possible in order for them to plan, so my kids are going in on all my working days. No non-vulnerable family nearby to assist. I'm another who has difficult and confidential meetings to be in as well, so it's completely inappropriate to have three primary aged kids nearby.

I think people need to remember if two parents and one isn't a keyworker why can't they do it ?
Some have said becauSe my dh is breadwinner ? But what about single mum who is the only worker ? Or even 2 parents non keyworkers have to manage?

GPs & police have wfh, should they not be key workers?

Likewise admin support staff have often helped in schools eg testing.

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

I think people need to remember if two parents and one isn't a keyworker why can't they do it ? Some have said becauSe my dh is breadwinner ? But what about single mum who is the only worker ? Or even 2 parents non keyworkers have to manage?

But surely it's all dependent on the school?

E.g. one school may have a massive number of kids with 1 key worker parent. They will likely allocate places first to lone parent keyworkers/kids with two key worker parents. Then if there is space, these will be offered out to 1 key worker parent (and one out of the home worker) / 1 key worker parent (and one at home worker).

If the slots are there, why shouldn't they be used by families with one key worker and one wfh parent? As long as that child isn't using a slot that's more at need?

I am classed as a keyworker as I manage a cemetery, BUT I WFH all the time anyway so lockdown makes no odds to me. My children are at home with me.

@Icanflyhigh

I am classed as a keyworker as I manage a cemetery, BUT I WFH all the time anyway so lockdown makes no odds to me. My children are at home with me.

How do you find it juggling work and schoolwork?

I am a home working key worker. I have not sent kids to school but they are older so reasonably sensible. I imagine if they were younger I would struggle.

According to the list I'm a key worker but tbh I wouldn't sat I was (DH also). My friend got her DS in school last time, she works for a winery (food and drink). Absolutely not judging because I might have done the same but you are right that the list encompasses people who aren't actually key.

No horse in this race as my DC are in nursery and I'll just quit if I need to as dont earn much but agree it is shit for all parents. I think furlough should be able to all who need it for childcare.

Someone providing online therapy to a child who has suicidal thoughts.

Bit tricky when your own child interrupts you.