Furloughed workers : The 80% thing

Grumpyoldmailman · Post by **Grumpyoldmailman** » 03 Apr 2020, 22:52

microprocessor wrote:I'm in processing at an MC in the south.

I'm in the awkward situation of having become, in the last six weeks, the main carer for an elderly relative who is very vulnerable. I currently reside with her. I have avoided going into my MC for the last couple of weeks because my chances of getting infected are so much greater if I do and if I contract the bug it is inconceivable that I could stay with her: she is dementing and would not be able to mutually self-isolate with me at home. I would have to move out. Unfortunately, the social services care package she has in place would be utterly inadequate to meet her needs and she could not cope living alone without me. In the current climate there is no option of residential care or even a hospital stay.

I have financial responsibilities of my own (e.g. a flat gathering dust, a car) and cannot afford to keep taking unpaid leave. So I am due to go back into work next week. I will be playing russian roulette with my mother's life. I have been hoping that some provision would be made for people in my position, such as being furloughed until Covid-19 is out of the picture. Are my responsibilities as a carer more important than those as a key worker? If I can stay put we have a chance of muddling through.

I feel awful looking for a way to get out of going to work when my mates are going in putting their health, and that of their loved ones, on the line. Blood is thicker than water? Ah, what a shitty situation.

Keep safe guys

Heartbreaking story, take care of yourself. RM hang your heads in shame.

The Demented Bread Boffer · Post by **The Demented Bread Boffer** » 04 Apr 2020, 09:55

This is the actual Government website. It tells you who can do what. It clarifies a lot. I sent it to HR but I'm guessing they didn't read it, the reply was straight out of a script.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-w ... ion-scheme" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

yourlatepostie! · Post by **yourlatepostie!** » 04 Apr 2020, 17:37

Hi demented beard

I made the same point the other day.

I am in the shielded category having had the letter from the NHS. Whilst I am thankful to receive full pay for at least 12 weeks, this cuts into our full sick pay allowance for 4 years.

I think Royal Mail has missed a trick here as they could have put those of us shielded on furlough at little cost to them. As we have pre existing conditions it is likely that we will need to go sick in the future & this will add to the worry as to whether we can afford to go sick as we could be on half pay or no pay.

Who knows how long this will go on for. We shouldn’t be having to make these choices between health & finances when the help is there from the government.

Stay safe

woofwoof · Post by **woofwoof** » 04 Apr 2020, 18:01

So for an example
I've utilized all my allocation of sick leave due to illness under the attendance procedure, I now qualify for zero pay,
Due to health conditions the goverment have told me to isolate for 12 weeks,
The employment services say I should get the 80% payment.
They rang HR guess what they told them sorry it's not our policy.

The Demented Bread Boffer · Post by **The Demented Bread Boffer** » 04 Apr 2020, 20:25

WoofWoof, HR are just reading from a script. Anything for an easy life. I've had that conversation with them twice, once by phone and once by e-mail. I even sent the link to the Government definition and pointed out the applicable section. It's like talking to a wall. They're not interested. The thing is, in about 6 months time the management will appear and tell us all that the company's in financial defuckleties due to the effects of covid 19. We're offering to help. We've shown them a way to cut their losses. We've done the donkey work but they're just. not. interested. Perhaps if a manager could suggest it it may get somewhere because they certainly don't listen to the mugs on the ground.

Chelseablue · Post by **Chelseablue** » 05 Apr 2020, 13:45

Unpaid leave next few weeks can that be done? O

The Demented Bread Boffer · Post by **The Demented Bread Boffer** » 05 Apr 2020, 16:54

When the 12 week self isolation, now called "Shielding" and causing all sorts of confusion, was announced, I waited for some guidance from management. None was forthcoming so I told them midway through my shift on the Friday that I'd be doing the 12 week thing. I spoke to my manager at the end of the shift where he imparted some nuggets of wisdom... i.e. I'd be on unpaid leave but I could apply for SSP (£94/W which was false, Payroll need to apply for this) and a couple of other things of no use. As far as I was concerned I'm on unpaid leave. My health is more valuable than money. So, yes, you should be able to get unpaid leave.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 05 Apr 2020, 19:47

The Demented Bread Boffer wrote:When the 12 week self isolation, now called "Shielding" and causing all sorts of confusion, was announced, I waited for some guidance from management. None was forthcoming so I told them midway through my shift on the Friday that I'd be doing the 12 week thing. I spoke to my manager at the end of the shift where he imparted some nuggets of wisdom... i.e. I'd be on unpaid leave but I could apply for SSP (£94/W which was false, Payroll need to apply for this) and a couple of other things of no use. As far as I was concerned I'm on unpaid leave. My health is more valuable than money. So, yes, you should be able to get unpaid leave.

You could put some of your leave with it as none of us will be going on planes for the next two years or so!

The Demented Bread Boffer · Post by **The Demented Bread Boffer** » 05 Apr 2020, 20:06

Yes, that was mentioned but nobody quite knew how bad it would be and I didn't fancy giving up all my leave and coming back to almost 12 months of non stop back shift. I'm just hoping that someone in HR looks at the government guidelines again and offers the furlough option. Then again, it's the sensible thing to do so there's pretty much no chance.

yorkychris · Post by **yorkychris** » 06 Apr 2020, 16:26

The Demented Bread Boffer wrote:Yes, that was mentioned but nobody quite knew how bad it would be and I didn't fancy giving up all my leave and coming back to almost 12 months of non stop back shift. I'm just hoping that someone in HR looks at the government guidelines again and offers the furlough option. Then again, it's the sensible thing to do so there's pretty much no chance.

I made the decision to take myself out of work, several underlying health problems. All very confusing when announced so I’m using annual leave which is ridiculous.I value my health more than risking being seriously ill.

Zicomurphy · Post by **Zicomurphy** » 06 Apr 2020, 18:46

yorkychris wrote:
The Demented Bread Boffer wrote:Yes, that was mentioned but nobody quite knew how bad it would be and I didn't fancy giving up all my leave and coming back to almost 12 months of non stop back shift. I'm just hoping that someone in HR looks at the government guidelines again and offers the furlough option. Then again, it's the sensible thing to do so there's pretty much no chance.
I made the decision to take myself out of work, several underlying health problems. All very confusing when announced so I’m using annual leave which is ridiculous.I value my health more than risking being seriously ill.

I guess the trouble is that now we are moving into the new holiday year anyone using annual leave to protect themselves could then have to face working 46 weeks in a row after returning to work. Depending what health issues people have that in itself could be a risk to their wellbeing especially with the physical nature of the job.

microprocessor · Post by **microprocessor** » 06 Apr 2020, 22:05

I guess the trouble is that now we are moving into the new holiday year anyone using annual leave to protect themselves could then have to face working 46 weeks in a row after returning to work. Depending what health issues people have that in itself could be a risk to their wellbeing especially with the physical nature of the job.[/quote]

There we are. As a new carer I can't risk going in to work and catching this covid bastard and giving it to my mother. She's dementing and if I get the bug she's screwed. I've been taking annual leave so far but will have to go unpaid for the foreseeable future. In the space of a week or two I've lost everything except my old ma - bless her. Lost my home, my independence, freedom, privacy - everything. But I guess there are a hell of a lot of people in far worse shape than me. I might be able to come back to work for RM if and when the dust settles, so I'm lucky in that

Hells_bells · Post by **Hells_bells** » 08 Apr 2020, 10:40

Taken from a Martin Lewis' Money saving expert email:

My written question: "Can you please publicly clarify that furloughing the vulnerable who must self-isolate for 12wks, or those who can't work as they need to look after children, doesn't breach the furlough rules?"

The Chancellor's response from his Treasury team: "Employees on sick leave or self-isolating should get statutory sick pay, but can be furloughed after this. Employees who are shielding in line with public health guidance can be placed on furlough.

"Childcare: Yes, if because of coronavirus closing schools you are unable to work and at risk of redundancy, your employer can furlough you."

This might help too:

https://www.acas.org.uk/furlough-letter-template" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Demented Bread Boffer · Post by **The Demented Bread Boffer** » 08 Apr 2020, 11:50

@ Hells_Bells I've sent HR the link from the government website that states how shielding workers etc can be furloughed. Their script doesn't cover that, therefore they aren't interested. They just say Royal Mail aren't furloughing people.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 10 Apr 2020, 21:22

The Demented Bread Boffer wrote:@ Hells_Bells I've sent HR the link from the government website that states how shielding workers etc can be furloughed. Their script doesn't cover that, therefore they aren't interested. They just say Royal Mail aren't furloughing people.

And why would they when they can kill off the older staff and not pay them off with exposing us all to the virus, Still the CEO is nowhere to be found not herd a peep from him still it does not concern him in his ivory tower of a kingdom on lake lucerne and bugger us all.