Single parent - employer wants me back at my desk

glasgowseller

My employer wants me to go into the office to work next week but I'm a single parent. My role is not identified as a key worker. Can I be forced to go in when I am able to work from home and the country still on lockdown?

poppy12345

If work is available then yes they can. What do you usually do for child care?

bradders1983

No you dont have to be forced in, but you cant expect to be paid to sit at home either I am afraid if he wants you back.

glasgowseller

poppy12345 said:

If work is available then yes they can. What do you usually do for child care?

School

bradders1983

glasgowseller said:

poppy12345 said:

If work is available then yes they can. What do you usually do for child care?

School

Must be a decent employer to give you 13 weeks annual leave a year then.

Bibbitybobbitybop

bradders1983 said:

glasgowseller said:

poppy12345 said:

If work is available then yes they can. What do you usually do for child care?

School

Must be a decent employer to give you 13 weeks annual leave a year then.

What!?
After school club? Holiday clubs? None of which are currently available. I was a single mum for years. It was extraordinarily difficult and there's absolutely no way you can work without school and paid for childcare. I'm going to hazard a guess you have zero experience of single parenthood.

bradders1983

Bibbitybobbitybop said:

bradders1983 said:

glasgowseller said:

poppy12345 said:

If work is available then yes they can. What do you usually do for child care?

School

Must be a decent employer to give you 13 weeks annual leave a year then.

What!?
After school club? Holiday clubs? None of which are currently available. I was a single mum for years. It was extraordinarily difficult and there's absolutely no way you can work without school and paid for childcare. I'm going to hazard a guess you have zero experience of single parenthood.

The OP only said "school" which is clearly what I was getting at. Settle down.

Undervalued

To be blunt your childcare issues are not your employer's problem. Your only legal entitlement in that respect is short periods of unpaid leave in an emergency situation. They may grant more but they don't have to.

Yes, they can require to go to work if your work cannot be done from home. Worst case if you refuse and they choose not to grant unpaid leave is they could dismiss you. 

Hopefully they will be more flexible.

glasgowseller

Undervalued said:

To be blunt your childcare issues are not your employer's problem. Your only legal entitlement in that respect is short periods of unpaid leave in an emergency situation. They may grant more but they don't have to.

Yes, they can require to go to work if your work cannot be done from home. Worst case if you refuse and they choose not to grant unpaid leave is they could dismiss you. 

Hopefully they will be more flexible.

Can any employer ask you to go back to work even though you are supposed to only make essential journeys?

Undervalued

glasgowseller said:

Undervalued said:

To be blunt your childcare issues are not your employer's problem. Your only legal entitlement in that respect is short periods of unpaid leave in an emergency situation. They may grant more but they don't have to.

Yes, they can require to go to work if your work cannot be done from home. Worst case if you refuse and they choose not to grant unpaid leave is they could dismiss you. 

Hopefully they will be more flexible.

Can any employer ask you to go back to work even though you are supposed to only make essential journeys?

Yes, if your work cannot be done from home. The government guidance is that you should continue to work and if that cannot be from home then it is an "essential" journey.

Thrugelmir

Can you perform any amount of your duties from home?