Key Workers and Open Schools

[Louisa1986]

Can anyone help me please? I have a 13 year old son who feels safer at home than he does going to school. Last year during lockdown, my employer let me work reduced hours so he wasn't home alone. This time around, they've said no. Where do I stand with this? I work in an admin role in a lorry garage/dealership so am under the transport/haulage keyworker status.
I got a little heated and told them if they believe in double standards, don't expect me in on Monday. However, the schools aren't closed like they were last year.
Any help gratefully received.

even my boss said I don't see it being a problem, but his boss is being awkward

I guess I would be careful, if I were you. Because if people were furloughed before, and now they're being tricky about any reduction in hours for you, then you really don't know how secure your job is. It's all shit but if you are a single parent you need to prioritise income so you need them onside.

I'd go back and ask them if they can explain what the difference is between last year and now - why it is now impossible to do reduced hours - so that you can work together with them to find a solution. And that you're happy for them to suggest to you other options.

But really the easiest thing would be to take up a keyworker place for your DS if you feel he cannot be unsupervised 5 long days a week. OK, he'd feel "safer" at home - but as you say, he is an immature 13 year old and therefore not old enough to make that risk-benefit decision by himself.

Can you do part working from home part at work? So for example go to work 9-12 every day but then come home for the afternoons - or mornings at home afternoons at work?

So you’re not reducing hours and you’re going in every day - but your son’s not home alone for more than a few hours.

You are not a critical worker- why do you think that you are?

Tbh, it sounds like they have been very flexible for a long time. I don't think there is any obligation on them tbh.

@MutantNinjaCovid

You are not a critical worker- why do you think that you are?

Because she is? As per guidance:

“Transport and border
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response and EU transition, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass and those constructing or supporting the operation of critical transport and border infrastructure through which supply chains pass.”

GingerandtheBiscuits she works in a lorry dealership (not clear in what role). I’m not sure that means she is “keeping freight transport operating” does it? Maybe she is, I don’t have enough information, but you can’t just say if the work is related to transport therefore she’s a key worker.

This is part of the problem - people are interpreting these categories ridiculously widely.

@minipie

GingerandtheBiscuits she works in a lorry dealership (not clear in what role). I’m not sure that means she is “keeping freight transport operating” does it? Maybe she is, I don’t have enough information, but you can’t just say if the work is related to transport therefore she’s a key worker.

This is part of the problem - people are interpreting these categories ridiculously widely.

That certainly doesnt meet that criteria - that is why it is all so ridiculous.

Transport and border
This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) response and EU transition, including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass and those constructing or supporting the operation of critical transport and border infrastructure through which supply chains pass.

Time for him to grow up. I have no choice but to leave my 10y old for 6-7 hours as school didn't give us a place. (DH & I are both KW but school said they are full)
I also have a 16y old... so not a complete disaster!