Help please furlough/keyworker status

Samantha02

Hi, I worked in a nursery before being out on furlough then made redundant I also took my child there can anyone help with the following please?
Are you still classed as a keyworker if you’re furloughed? I
Basically have had employment trouble for a while, trying to charge me my sons fees while furloughed, she said as I’m a key worker I could’ve sent my child in all along, during lockdown, April/May time I argued that the government advice was to stay home unless you had to work? Who’s right here? And if I’m right which I suspect I am where cab I get legal advice about this, she keeps trying to charge me money regardless of the CMA guidance yesterday. 

bradders1983

How on earth do you think you can be classed as a keyworker if you have been furloughed? Come on now.

unholyangel

Imo the keyworker is potentially a red herring. Was the nursery open? 

Samantha02

@bradders1983 that’s what she told me that I could’ve taken him
in because I’m a keyworker even though I am furloughed, I’ve argued my point until I’m blue in the face she’s not listening to me!

Samantha02

@unholyangel yes it was open to keyworkers I actually pulled My son out At the end of May as couldn’t keep affording retainer fees! 

Samantha02

She told me that some parents who were furloughed and keyworkers were taking their children in? Surely that can’t be right? I also didn’t know that my son was allowed in until I pulled him out end of May!

Samantha02

Anybody? I’ve taken advice from citizens advice? Could this go to employment tribunal or is this more of a civil case?

gary83

You’re obviously not a key worker, I don’t really think this should need spelling out, but here goes anyway. The government used the term “critical workers” To describe those who were still eligible for childcare/school provision, it has some examples of those who falls into that category on the gov.uk website. The Government’s definition of a critical worker is...

Critical workers

Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to look after their child at home, but attendance is strongly encouraged.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

I think it’s very obvious that It’d be very hard to argue that you were “critical to the Covid 19 response” When you’ve been sat at home for months.