Forced to work during lockdown?

englishrob

I work for a large store chain that you would definitely class as "non essential" 
During the first lockdown, stores were closed and we were furloughed.
There's been no official announcement yet, but the rumour is that the stores will be closed to the public, but staff will be required to go to work.
Is this not against Government advice?
Many thanks!

bradders1983

The guidance is to work from home if able to. What are they asking you to go in and do? I doubt you could do it from home.

Dont look a gift horse in the mouth: its either get paid 100% and go in, or get paid 80% and sit at home for 4 weeks.  In any case like you say, its probably just a rumour. Whats the point of keeping everyone in for 4 weeks doing stocktakes etc.... when there is no money going in the till to pay for you all?

MoneySeeker1

That will have me wondering for the rest of the day what can be both "a large store chain" and "not essential" - as I can't think of any offhand.

In your position - I'd go into work as normal - unless I had written instructions not to do so from my EMPLOYER (never mind what the Government does or doesn't say).

bradders1983

MoneySeeker1 said:

That will have me wondering for the rest of the day what can be both "a large store chain" and "not essential" - as I can't think of any offhand.

Plenty of clothing stores come under this banner....Primark maybe?

[Deleted User]

MoneySeeker1 said:

That will have me wondering for the rest of the day what can be both "a large store chain" and "not essential" - as I can't think of any offhand.

Have you ever seen those big shops they often have on high streets?

They often have names like 'Debenhams' or 'John Lewis'.

Thrugelmir

If the working environment is safe. What's the issue?  

Grumpy_chap

MoneySeeker1 said:

That will have me wondering for the rest of the day what can be both "a large store chain" and "not essential" - as I can't think of any offhand.

M&S (non food)
Currys
John Lewis
Debenhams
DFS
L'occitaine
Robert Days

Just the first to come to mind.

MoneySeeker1

Okays - I get it re those shops.

But OP is coming over as not wanting to go into work....and looking for get-outs.

englishrob

MoneySeeker1 said:

Okays - I get it re those shops.

But OP is coming over as not wanting to go into work....and looking for get-outs.

Not at all. I'm just wondering what the difference is between the first lockdown and the next one.

gettingtheresometime

englishrob said:

MoneySeeker1 said:

Okays - I get it re those shops.

But OP is coming over as not wanting to go into work....and looking for get-outs.

Not at all. I'm just wondering what the difference is between the first lockdown and the next one.

Well being optimistic  during the 1st lockdown everyone was flying by the seat of their pants but during the forthcoming one, there's more of an understanding as to what's safe and what isnt

bradders1983

englishrob said:

MoneySeeker1 said:

Okays - I get it re those shops.

But OP is coming over as not wanting to go into work....and looking for get-outs.

Not at all. I'm just wondering what the difference is between the first lockdown and the next one.

In the first one your boss was well within his or her rights to ask you to continue to come in if your job could not be done from home, but obviously they couldnt open the doors to trade.  This new one is absolutely no different.  

So if your boss wants you to come in to do visual merchandising, stock taking etc.....that is absolutely fine as long as the front doors are shut. And you wont be busted down to 80% salary either.  Why moan?

In any case I do think you are jumping the gun here, no large chain is going to keep all their staff in for 4 weeks with no customers and no money going in the till. If anything you will end up going in for a week at most, to do tasks like stock taking, and then you will be furloughed for 3 weeks. Or, its just a rumour as you stated.