Clarification needed

[Kimkat]

Need a bit of advice here. My sons partner works in an accountants office and is still having to attend work. As the nursery that my grandson attends, is only taking ‘key workers’ toddlers, our grandson can’t attend, which means that me and my husband are the only ones available to have him. We’re both in our mid/late 60s with underlying health problems, even though we are both fit and have to also care for my father in law, who needs help with most things. My question is this, can her boss make her work? As I’m not really comfortable babysitting our 3 year old grandson as much as I love him. I have a feeling that her boss has said if she doesn’t work, she won’t get paid.

[gibbo66]

I wouldn’t say an accountant was critical but they could be doing invoices and payment for care homes etc. More likely just a greedy boss.

[Kimkat]

He’s general manager of a large restaurant and even though they had to close the doors on Friday they were able to reopen on Saturday for takeaways, so limited staff in but he has to be there. He gets Wednesdays and Thursdays off, his fiancée has Tuesdays off, so we are covering Mondays and Fridays and there’s no one else to help.

[Lonmayloon]

I live in Scotland and yesterday at 1.00pm the First Minister gave some further advice and clarification on this. You can go in to work if that work is necessary to provide food supplies or medical supplies, (production, distribution and retail). On the face of it it’s difficult to see how an accountant’s office could be considered essential. (Except through the eyes of the accountant).

I think you’ve answered your own question when you say that your grandchild is not eligible at the nursery.

If the work can be done from home then it should be. Again you would think that most accountancy work could be done from home although it might involve the boss providing laptops etc.

If for any reason you cannot work then 80% of your pay will continue to be paid. This money is reimbursed through HMRC it is not an expense that the employer has to bear. So once again a reason not to go in.

The employee should not be left with the difficult choice of whether or not to go in to work. This is the responsibility of the employer. I would advise your daughter in law to ask for a written explanation of why her work was essential and why it could only be done in the office.

If things are continuing as before then people are not heeding the government advice.

[Hidden]

I work for the biggest cable manufacturer in the world.A lot of my workmates have various diseases.I have heart disease.Some have copd, diabetes,liver and kidney disease, to name a few. Last night we were told you can have time off by all means,but you won't get paid.We would have to claim ssp .Thank god I only have 3 years left.x

[Kimkat in reply to Hidden]

Haven’t your employers read up on the Coronavirus job retention scheme? The government will pay 80% of your wages but your bosses aren’t obliged to pay the remaining 20%. The government will pay 80% or up to £2500 per month.

[Hidden]

This 80 percent off the government doesn't come into effect until the end of April.Some businesses here in Wales have closed and are not paying their staff anything.x