Schools closed - Looking after children

Ralph Wiggum · Post by **Ralph Wiggum** » 18 Mar 2020, 21:30

This is a repost as for some reason the post got locked and linked to a KEYWORKERS topic. This is not about KEYWORKERS, this is about will we recieve
any pay if we are off for 3-4months to look after children!

As I understand it RM's policy on taking time off to look after dependents is unpaid leave.

So with schools closing all over the UK many postpersons will have to take dependent leave to look after their children who wont be at school.

Early suggestions that the school closures could last all the way upto the school summer holidays.

This would mean NO PAY for approx 3 MONTHS+ for all staff looking after their children!

Is the government going to ensure SSP is paid during this time or will families be expected to live the next 3 months+ with no income whatsoever?

gary1975 · Post by **gary1975** » 18 Mar 2020, 21:37

I don’t think Royal Mail will be paying people with child care issues.

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 18 Mar 2020, 21:54

Get together with all the people in your office with kids and or childcare issues. Create groups to help mitigate loss of wages.

For example:

Monday - Lisa has the kids and stays off.
Tuesday - Jeff has the kids and stays off.
Wednesday - John has the kids and stays off... etc etc

You get the gist. These are extraordinary times. We must come together and overcome. Think outside the box.

picture123 · Post by **picture123** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:01

Maybe work different hours, offer to do night-shift? Offer to do longer days in exchange for more days off, flexibility is meant to be an option

manchesterpunk · Post by **manchesterpunk** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:04

Didn’t the health secretary say ‘Delivery’ staff will be classed as ‘Key Workers’. Surely we fall into that category?

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:08

manchesterpunk wrote:Didn’t the health secretary say ‘Delivery’ staff will be classed as ‘Key Workers’. Surely we fall into that category?

Thats a good point. Perhaps some clarification wouldn't go a miss. Wouldn't hold my breath.

jd9442 · Post by **jd9442** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:24

Ren Hoëk wrote:Get together with all the people in your office with kids and or childcare issues. Create groups to help mitigate loss of wages.

For example:

Monday - Lisa has the kids and stays off.
Tuesday - Jeff has the kids and stays off.
Wednesday - John has the kids and stays off... etc etc

You get the gist. These are extraordinary times. We must come together and overcome. Think outside the box.

I’m not letting f***ing Jeff look after my kid

Ren Hoëk · Post by **Ren Hoëk** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:31

jd9442 wrote:
Ren Hoëk wrote:Get together with all the people in your office with kids and or childcare issues. Create groups to help mitigate loss of wages.

For example:

Monday - Lisa has the kids and stays off.
Tuesday - Jeff has the kids and stays off.
Wednesday - John has the kids and stays off... etc etc

You get the gist. These are extraordinary times. We must come together and overcome. Think outside the box.
I’m not letting f***ing Jeff look after my kid

Probs for the best actually. John may not be the best person either. Lisa can handle Monday - Saturday.

south London postie · Post by **south London postie** » 18 Mar 2020, 22:44

For this purpose RM staff have to be key workers. I assumed that's why they worded the statement as they did.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 19 Mar 2020, 11:22

Stay on topic in these important threads guys, people are worried. Various posts deleted.

@ Ralph I would have thought we would be entitled to ssp it as we can't work. Also tax credit/universal credit.

Ralph Wiggum · Post by **Ralph Wiggum** » 19 Mar 2020, 14:03

Postman

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated!

dundee · Post by **dundee** » 19 Mar 2020, 14:55

Does anyone no if we will be classed as key workers?

woofwoof · Post by **woofwoof** » 19 Mar 2020, 15:13

We are been told both parents must be key workers, for the schools open

2yearpostie · Post by **2yearpostie** » 19 Mar 2020, 15:26

Think parents are being given flexi time. ie if your partner can have the kids in the afternoon you do the post in the afternoon and vice versa.

scarface · Post by **scarface** » 19 Mar 2020, 18:11

Ren Hoëk wrote:Get together with all the people in your office with kids and or childcare issues. Create groups to help mitigate loss of wages.

For example:

Monday - Lisa has the kids and stays off.
Tuesday - Jeff has the kids and stays off.
Wednesday - John has the kids and stays off... etc etc

You get the gist. These are extraordinary times. We must come together and overcome. Think outside the box.

I'm sorry but that's probably the most stupid thing I've heard today. How's that gonna work with isolation/social distancing measures?? You have clearly haven't thought that through, have you?