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Covid

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Original poster

Literally why am I a key worker?

174 replies

Esmerelda01 · 09/01/2021 14:11

I'm feeling so frustrated today.

I work for a large multi national retailer which is currently classed as an essential shop as we sell predominantly food.
My role is absolutely not key, I dont contribute to feeding the nation, to getting the food on the shelves, to checking the quality or assisting in the logistics of it arriving. However the entire company has been classed as key workers, all 16,000 of us which just seems crazy.
Dh is a key worker and cannot work from home (he works in Fire protection predominantly in care homes).
There's so much pressure coming in rom all angles regarding not sending dc to school if you WFH. I wfh 80%, of the week but work will not allow me to look after / home school my 6yo as they say there is no requirement due to my KW status.

I feel like such a fraud. The worst thing is the school know what job I do at the head office and that I work from home and I feel pathetic.

Work have now told me I am to lie and say I've been moved to one of the teams that feed the nation if my status is queried.

I feel physically sick all the time, like im putting dc and his teachers at risk, at what the school must think of me and at the fact that my company are being so inconsiderate.
They told me if I really want to have him off I can take unpaid leave - what for the next 3 months?! We have a mortgage and bills to pay.

The whole key worker thing needs a massive review. It's just a massive joke the whole thing.

OP posts:

Doris86 · 09/01/2021 17:39

@christinarossetti19

It seems that OP has one six year old.

With most jobs that can be done from home, that sounds perfectly manageable.

I bet if OP's child was off sick from school in ordinary circumstances, her employer would only be too happy with her wfh rather then taking dependency leave.

Hardly comparable is it? One or two sick days where the child just watches tv and feels sorry for themselves whilst you work. Versus 6 or more weeks with the child at home needing several hours of attention a day for home schooling.

2020inhouse · 09/01/2021 17:49

OP this needs sunlight. It’s not in the spirit of the rules and makes things less safe for everyone. I’m shocked such a large retail company has chosen to act like this as it would be very detrimental to their reputation if it came out.
If I were you I would write to your MP in confidence. Or a media outlet but probably riskier...

Scbchl · 09/01/2021 17:51

I dont think they legally have a foot to stand on. They CANNOT force you to put your kid in school can they?

I work for a fire prootection company as a bookkeeper/office manager and have to work at home with all three of my kids. My employers not even mentioned it. They sound like they are overstepping boundaries. If you are "allowed" to work till 10pm where are your children suppose to be between school finishing and 10pm or is that allowed. Where is your kid meant to he between school finishing and the end of your normal working day so say till half five or six. Doesnt make sense.

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 09/01/2021 17:52

@MintyMabel

But the fact of the matter is they won't allow it and no, I wouldn't expect a 6yo to go undetected as I have teams calls with my colleagues and managers regularly throughout the day.

They can’t dictate that to you.

Unsure why a fire safety officer can’t do some work from home. We have plenty of H&S inspectors who are working from home when they don’t have to visit sites.

All seems a bit “woe is me” frankly.

Hes not an officer

thats why. He installs, maintains and services fire safety equipment in care homes. Not woe is me at all.

OP posts:

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 09/01/2021 18:01

The thing the OPs stupid employer and the people wanting to send their kids for shit reasons don't get is that with rates as they are very soon bubbles will be bursting all over. Kids are going to test positive, teachers and TAs will get it and be off sick.

Then not only will they have to homeschool their kids after all anyway but the kids will pass it to them and then they will be sick and unable to work at all.

Doesn't look like quite such a clever decision then does it?

I'm sure people are going to say well there were no cases in my school last term. Well that means nothing. It's a different ball game now. Rates are so much higher and community spread is like wildfire. Last month I only personally knew 1 or 2 people that had had it. Now it's 30 or 40.

christinarossetti19 · 09/01/2021 18:43

Doris86 OP has said that she is happy to work evenings and weekends and that she will be able to do her role with her six year old around.

My point is that her employer is trying to exploit the ridiculously broad guidelines around 'key workers' not that they really believe that she isn't able to do her job at home with one Y1/2 child there.

christinarossetti19 · 09/01/2021 18:47

@CovoidOfAllHumanity

Then not only will they have to homeschool their kids after all anyway but the kids will pass it to them and then they will be sick and unable to work at all.

Doesn't look like quite such a clever decision then does it?

Quite.

And when 'bubbles' burst, that's potentially a number of frontline workers not able to go to work as they need to isolate their child and/or becoming ill themselves.

The 'no cases in my school last term' line is more reason to keep your child at home, and for employers not to be arsey about this. Those of us in London and SE saw how quickly schools went from 'we haven't had any cases' to 'some bubbles have burst' to 'we've got to close as too many staff are ill' - it happened in two weeks at the end of term.

The new variant is moving through the rest of the country - it would make sense to reduce children in school now before the virus closes schools.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 09/01/2021 19:11

I actually do think OP that you should stand up to your employer and tell then you won't be sending her in line with the government advice that anyone who can stay at home should do.

The keyworker places list is of people who possibly could be allowed to send their kids not people who must do just because they are on the list. The over riding advice for all is Stay At Home.

Present your alternative plan to show that you can get your work done with flexible hours and are not taking the piss. What are they going to do really? Discipline you for following government advice in a pandemic? I predict they will back down.

Remind them that you will have to wfh anyway if the bubble bursts and if DD gets it and gives it to you you won't be working at all for at least 2 weeks even with a 'mild' case.

You obviously are a good person because you have misgivings about this and you know what is right.
As an NHS frontline worker who isn't sending their child to school please stand up to this bullshit of you are at all able to.

Bipette79 · 09/01/2021 19:59

Read just now that DfE guidance was updated yesterday. Not sure to what extent it will be helpful/clarify anything re WFH but, apparently, it says that even if critical worker, you should keep kids at home if you can....

christinarossetti19 · 09/01/2021 20:29

Have you got a link for that Bipette79 please?

DayBath · 09/01/2021 20:39

@Esmerelda01

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/09/school-guidance-for-children-of-key-workers-changes-again

The government have now done a U-turn on keyworker guidance which may give you more leverage with your employer if you prefer to homeschool.

DayBath · 09/01/2021 20:40

Sorry, cross posted with Bipette.

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 09/01/2021 21:06

I was just literally reading that now as a colleague shared on FB. I feel this will give me much more of a leg to stand on!
Thank you so much everyone

OP posts:

christinarossetti19 · 09/01/2021 22:45

Thanks.

AHippoNamedBooBooButt · 09/01/2021 23:35

I have a friend who is classed as a keyworker. They go into supermarkets and the main part of their role is refilling the make up and gift card stands. But they occasionally deal with food (clipstrips they are called? The things that hang off shelves with nuts or crisps) so her employer is adamant they are keyworkers and isn’t allowed to be furloughed and cannot work from home. It’s ridiculous imo (and hers). There should be a rule that a minimum 50% off the business has to be essential (ie food, medicine etc related) not just a tiny proportion

Backyard72 · 09/01/2021 23:48

My son's primary school have asked for a description of a person's key worker role, to help them decide if they really are a 'critical' key worker. Maybe OP you could let your school know what you do and ask them of they really feel your child should have a place. Would be interesting to see of your company would dispute a school letter on forming you that you are not suitable for a school place. Also think you should name and shame.

hayleysmiles · 10/01/2021 00:18

Just quit your fucking job, try being an actual key worker, risk yourself and earn an actual wage.

Until then, stop fucking whining. Pathetic

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 10/01/2021 00:25

@hayleysmiles ironically your name should be hayleyneversmiles as this is the second thread where you've commented similar. Angry little woman.

OP posts:

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 10/01/2021 00:27

@Backyard72 to be honest I'm thinking that mah be my next step now, there's defiantly a conversation I need to have with the school regardless, if nothing else just to acknowledge that I dont want them to feel I'm taking the pee and am doing my best to resolve it

OP posts:

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 10/01/2021 00:28

@hayleysmiles

Just quit your fucking job, try being an actual key worker, risk yourself and earn an actual wage.

Until then, stop fucking whining. Pathetic

Time to cut out the Saturday night boozing methinks, hayleyneversmiles

OP posts:

hayleysmiles · 10/01/2021 00:53

I'm not the one arguing with the same person, multiple times @Esmerelda01

I'm sorry you don't like my comment but I stand by it. Do your job or don't, but answer me why you should be paid for it if you can do it yet won't?

Original poster

Esmerelda01 · 10/01/2021 00:56

@hayleysmiles I haven't argued on here with anybody?
Are you okay?
You are making no sense. Where have I said I cant do my job but I want to get paid? I've said the opposite. I can do my job, I can do it whilst looking after dd and I can work longer hours at night if needed and that will not impact anybody.
Then I can keep her home from school without needed to put her and her teachers at further risk.
I think you're commenting on the wrong thread or something.........

OP posts:

Nohomemadecandles · 10/01/2021 00:59

@hayleysmiles I think you've misunderstood the OP. She does want to work. She never said she didn't. She just doesn't want to clog up schools needlessly when she can easily work from home.
Your nastiness is misplaced here.

AntiHop · 10/01/2021 01:01

@hayleysmiles why have you been so rude? OP wants to do the right thing by not taking up a key worker school place.

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