Asking to be furloughed?

[Idontbelieveit12]

Does anyone know where I stand on asking to be furloughed? I work in a nursery and have 12yo and 14yo children working from home (alone). I am very very anxious about being at work. My manager has just said I cannot be furloughed no reasons why? Tomorrow there will be too many staff for the amount of children we will have, the ratio will be 1:2.

Employer does not have to agree. They need to allow for anyone off sick or isolating in their ratios while open. Why are you so concerned if you have worked up until now?

Your employer can decide not to furlough you. They don't actually have to give a reason. Surely a 12 and 14 year old are ok on their own during the day?

They don't have to furlough you if they don't want to. Furlough costs the business money, and for nurseries its really complicated because of the rule about public funding.

I have been ok up until schools closing because of the new strain. I am very anxious now, when I say this I mean I am medicated for anxiety and it is becoming unbearable. I am having panic attacks. I wasn’t sure if having a child under 14 would be relevant as I know childcare bubbles are for kids under 14.

Has no bearing I'm afraid.
Furlough has to be a mutual decision.

If your anxiety is getting so bad it may be worth seeing you GP, potentially getting signed off sick. Although I imagine in a nursery you will only be paid SSP.

Furlough still costs an employer money so they have no obligation to furlough you at your request. Your children aren't young and require constant supervision.

If you are not well enough to be at work can you be signed off sick?

If you are not well enough to be at work can you be signed off sick?

Having already been declined furlough, this would look like an almighty piss take.

OP, what is making you particularly anxious? Your children are both of an age where they can be left safely for the day. What would help to manage your anxiety?

@freezedriedromance

Has no bearing I'm afraid. Furlough has to be a mutual decision.

If your anxiety is getting so bad it may be worth seeing you GP, potentially getting signed off sick. Although I imagine in a nursery you will only be paid SSP.

Furlough isn't really a mutual decision, the employer decides.

I mean an employee could theoretically refuse and keep turning up at work but no one who wants to keep their job is going to do that

You can ask, they have said no. It is a mutual decision.
Your children aren't primary age although I realise 12 isn't far off. If you work in a nursery, are you considered a key worker? Could they attend school?

I haven’t officially asked to be furloughed, everyone was bandying ideas around when we were shocked that we would not be closing for this lockdown. My anxiety is not around my children being at home although not ideal. I am terrified of getting covid and becoming very ill. I also have a 4 year old who attends my work with me. I’d rather we were both at home safe. Obviously I’ve no choice in the matter. The anxiety is very very real, being signed off sick would not be a piss take as it is becoming more debilitating by the day. I’m not sleeping well and having panic attacks often.

I was reading something today, the furlough scheme is to save jobs. If you go on furlough who will do your job? Will someone have to cover you? If so the scheme isn’t for that
If they can manage without you do they need you at all?

I really don’t think I’m needed! There were too many adults today! Same tomorrow. I feel like looking for another job.

Sounds like you need to be ringed off sick.

Signed

OP,I understand how you feel and the anxiety around getting covid. I'm a nanny and have cancelled going in until cases go down and my 13 year old can go back to school. I could lose my job.
It's normal to be worried and my friends are also scared.

But would another job be any different? Are you particularly vulnerable? Have you spoken to your GP if the medication isn’t working? Do you have other coping strategies?

I feel like looking for another job.

What will that achieve if your aim is to not actually have to work right now?

What good would getting another job do if your anxiety is about Covid? It is going to be around for a while so you need to get medical help to be better able to manage your anxiety as it's clearly causing your real problems.
If there are too many people in could you take annual leave? Or unpaid leave? Or if you're anxiety is really that bad then maybe you need to be signed off sick. You cannot be furloughed and you cannot expect to be paid to stay at home indefinitely, but you don't want to/aren't able to go to work so realistically those are your only options, other than quitting.

I was going to suggest you asked to be part time furloughed if you are concerned 're your kids. But this won't help if you are concerned 're virus

@Orf1abc

If you are not well enough to be at work can you be signed off sick?

Having already been declined furlough, this would look like an almighty piss take.

OP, what is making you particularly anxious? Your children are both of an age where they can be left safely for the day. What would help to manage your anxiety?

Tough shit, if she’s not well enough to be at work she’s not well enough to be at work. No job is worth making yourself ill for.