Working During Lockdown - Gardeners/Window Cleaners Etc

MoneyDood

Hey everyone, I am just looking for others views on this situation, the current messages from the BBC;

New measures, in place for at least three weeks, tell Britons to only go to work if "absolutely necessary" - but Mr Hancock later said those who cannot work from home should go to work "to keep the country running".

and;

People working alone, providing community services such as gardeners or window cleaners can continue to work. "If they can go about their business safely this can be good for the community and we would encourage them to do so,"

I work in an isolated enviroment anyway, being a lone worker - a gardener, I rarely speak to anyone through the day or see anyone. The thought of not being able to work through the whole of spring, which is my peak time of year for business is seriously crippling, obviously everyones saftey is top priority here dont get me wrong.

I've tried going out on a few occasions to get my work done although I feel a tremendous amount of anxiety and guilt about the situation, not for fear of catching the virus but fear of being yelled at, abused by the public and my business being badly reviewed online. The government basically say in the small print that I am ok to work, but 99% of the public don't know about these latest articles printed on the bbc website.

My competitors, have already been verbally abused and slated online for going out and working, and i fear the same so i've decided to give up for now and seek others opionions on the matter. I'm left feeling like i'm in limbo, ive no idea what is right and wrong anymore, i feel as though i can work and follow all guidelines, i have masks, gloves, antibac, etc.

My own opionion is that if it feels wrong it is wrong, but the fear of not working right now is just as bad.

I guess my question is, which side do you take? if you saw me out with a strimmer and a van, or feeding the grass etc, would you think i am being selfish, foolish etc?

Thank you

sharpe106

At the moment the advice is to go out to work if you can’t work from home, but yes how they are putting it out if they have written it down it would be in the small print. The government are wanting it both ways they want everyone to isolate but they want the economy to carry on running, so jobs to carry on.  

As you have said your competitors have been verbally abused and slated online for continuing to work, what the government has basically done is left it for mob rule (and the press) to decide what jobs are essential or not. Nobody will be going round slating NHS workers to go home and not go to work for example.

Illusionary

If you're able to work while maintaining appropriate social distancing and you can't work from home - both of which seem very much to apply to you - you should indeed be able to carry on working.

What are the circumstances when you come into contact with those who might subject you to abuse? Arguably those doing so - which is absolutely not right - may not be following the guidelines themselves!

justwhat

My work has not changed at all. My movement is the same as before covid. Home to work then home again 7 days per week. i have contact with 2 people per day. 
Essential / key worker cloud the issue regarding who can work and who cannot.  i walk to work and back. i am waiting on someone saying something.  Mob rule will get worse as people don't have anything else to do. 
I dont understand them trying to totally closed the construction industry down , there are lone workers there.

sharpe106

justwhat said:

My work has not changed at all. My movement is the same as before covid. Home to work then home again 7 days per week. i have contact with 2 people per day. 
Essential / key worker cloud the issue regarding who can work and who cannot.  i walk to work and back. i am waiting on someone saying something.  Mob rule will get worse as people don't have anything else to do. 
I dont understand them trying to totally closed the construction industry down , there are lone workers there.

It will mainly be people complaining about it that are still getting paid so not have to worry about the bills.

roddydogs

Well, my garage door installer pulled out, and I wouldn't have needed to go anywhere near him.  But my roofer is still coming.
So it seems make up you own mind.

sleepymans

It’s govt (Of whatever hue) strategy...keep it ambiguous and when it’s all over, you can’t blame us.

BooJewels

I'm responsible for an unoccupied property for a family member in care and use a gardener to keep the lawns mowed, hedge trimmed and general tidying - I've told him to re-commence that in line with his usual schedule once the grass starts growing.  A couple of old fruit trees came down in the recent storms and I told the gardener that if and/or when his other work dried up he could cut up and clear these trees at his leisure, as it won't bring him near anyone at all.  But now they've closed the tips, he wouldn't be able to dispose of the rubbish, so that might limit him being able to finish the job.  

So I'd personally be happy for my gardener to continue work, as it helps both of us without virus risk (there's a separate issue of general risk of injury in working and from travel) and as long as it doesn't contravene whatever the latest Government advice is.  Although I do expect a call from a particular busy body neighbour if he does!

[Deleted User]

I haven't seen our gardener since he started working for us last year. He comes, does his stuff, and sends me a text to let me know it's all done, then I pay my bank transfer. Of course, I may see him through the window now that I'm home working, but not a problem as far as I'm concerned if he's happy to continue working. I've got an old lawnmower if not

Undervalued

My window cleaner turned up as normal. I had a brief chat at a distance and left his money on the patio table. As I read the regulations he was quite entitled to come, I was pleased to see him, he earned some money. The only possible risk I could see is if he had an accident and needed medical help as a result of working. But where do you draw the line?

hb2

People are probably at similar (if not greater) risk of injury whilst doing DIY at home but no-one is telling them to desist.