Returning to work worries

frogga

Hello All,
Hope you are all keeping safe and well.
Mr Frog is shielding as advised by the Government as he is 'special'    (Lung, Kidney and Auto immune issues, so very special!)
I teach in a primary school.  Luckily I've been off for weeks as my head teacher kindly told me to go home to protect Mr Frog early on in March.
Now HR have just announced if we don't go back on 1st June we will be unpaid. I think that means me too as it's Mr Frog who is special, not me.  I am awaiting confirmation.
I am not in a union.
Schools will have no PPE, and 5 year olds will not socially distance?? 
Am terrified at the thought of having to go back to work or being unpaid as schools are breeding grounds for germs.  It will be bad enough for factory workers etc, but for those of us who work in schools, it will be impossible to protect ourselves or loved ones.
Anyone else in a similar position?

ShandyAndy_2

Either risk it or go off unpaid, what else can you do? 

Kit1

frogga, l know just how you feel but you have to do what is right for you.  I am a TA and guess we come under the underpaid/undervalued statues the government like so much and we will have to return on June 1st without any protection or thought so we can babysit other peoples children but we are not able to see our own families.  After all we have been told not to mix with people outside our homes with people who do not live with us but we can get up close and personal with these children with no thought to our safety.  I think we will be used to see how it goes and if it works then everyone can go back to work followed very slowly by MP's after all we can't have them sitting too close to each other running the country just in case they get it and then what would England do because Wales, N Ireland and Scotland will be alright.

Just my thoughts.  Stay Safe.  Sorry should that be stat vigilant because we can see the virus with our super powers and external protection.
I also think that when we have finished doing our bit as we have been working through this many of us will be told we won't be needed after the summer break now we have served our purpose and there is no money to go round.  Which means the most vulnerable children will miss out on the help we give them as the teachers are too busy keeping the grade up.  But never mind we were in it together.

Rant over - sorry

frogga

Thank you both.  You are so right ShandyAndy.  I must just go off unpaid as I certainly won't 'risk it'.  Mr Frog is worth so much more than any money.  Our two grown up children have both immediately offered to help, although they both have families of their own.  I have no idea what I expected anyone to say?  There is no answer other than the one you gave really is there?  Thank you for making me focus on the reality 
Thanks for the solidarity Kit.  It's good to not be in the boat on my own.  It is a worry for everyone even those not 'special'.  I think it's pointless year 6 going back though.  After SATS they just do fun stuff and art and drama and school trips.  This is not vital and alot of parents wont send them in for that.  And small ones will be the worst spreaders.
I'm gonna buy a Lotto ticket this week.
Stay safe guys
xxx

skint_chick

Is it possible for you to live with one of your children? Leaving Mr Frog safe? It would increase the risk to them, but if their kids are going to be going back to school in the first group anyway. That's not an ideal solution either. Is there an alternative if you were, for example, so stressed at the thought of endangering Mr Frog that you were unable to return to work and had to be signed off as unfit to work?

Mrsn

It will be unpaid sadly... sometimes we can be stuck literally in between a rock and a hard place. 

My year group reception will not be able to socially distance, I too am auto immune but not enough to be shielding it is really hard to know what to do for the best. Your head sounds wonderfully supportive though!

frogga

Thank you both.  Yes, the Head Teacher has been fantastic to me always.  Through all my time at the school she has been 'human'. 
Our children are not local unfortunately.  My own mum is, although she is in her 80s and so that wouldn't be very fair. 
I earn less than £1000 a month so it really isn't worth the risk. Mr Frog had continued to work up until the lock down even though he is poorly and his employer is furloughing him. That money will end in June as far as we know now. Who knows what will happen then? 
But, some people have lost their loved ones.  Some peoples lives will never be the same. I will continue to think about that when wallowing in my own worries.

xxx 

ShandyAndy_2

Sometimes the answer is in front of you and you need someone to put in simple realistic terms, I’m no different!. 

If I’ve learnt anything from this situation it’s to appreciate what you have, appreciate your local area, happiness is a state of mind, money is not everything. 

sharpe106

If they are not willing to carry on your furlough there is not a lot you can do. With regards to your husband and furlough even if they do stop it then he will be entitled to SSP unless the rules change on that again. If you decide not to go to work you could have a look to see what benefits you are entitled to.  

 Although on another note you can live with other people and work that are shielding you just need to be careful. But that a decision for you to take.

Comms69

Honestly how can you not be in the union? Sorry but you're a teacher - it's one of the very few where i'd advise everyone to be a member

Marcon

frogga said:

Thank you both.  Yes, the Head Teacher has been fantastic to me always.  Through all my time at the school she has been 'human'. 
Our children are not local unfortunately.  My own mum is, although she is in her 80s and so that wouldn't be very fair. 
I earn less than £1000 a month so it really isn't worth the risk. Mr Frog had continued to work up until the lock down even though he is poorly and his employer is furloughing him. That money will end in June as far as we know now. Who knows what will happen then? 
But, some people have lost their loved ones.  Some peoples lives will never be the same. I will continue to think about that when wallowing in my own worries.

xxx 

Hopefully the Chancellor's announcement earlier today might help?