I work in London, I am a single mum, I have a dodgey immune system and I want to continue to work. My employers response:>>>>>>

[Lisalou19]

Talk about kick a donkey when it’s down. I have wanted to continue working because it has taken me so much effort to be where I am today.

I don’t want to take sick leave or take holiday leave I want to work from home like most other employees are from my work, 2 of which are part timers with children like myself 😔 they are well mothers with husbands and I’m sitting here solo. I don’t have any hard feelings towards the other employees because it is not their doing.

The only offer of continuing to work is to go in on Saturdays with other employees 🤦‍♀️ And to take my other hours as holiday.

I would have accepted this but not when others are able to work from home receiving their normal wage, saving their holidays and are keeping their families safe.... I feel like I’m being beaten down for having a horrible immune system and maybe they feel I’m not capable of working from home 😔

This afternoon I took the decision to remove myself from the works WhatsApp communication just so I don’t need to be reading everyone’s working from home posts. Anyone else in this situation? I feel like I’m being pushed into a game of Russian roulette, keep a job and risk my health? Protect my health and loose my job . 😥. Oh and I have a laptop . 😏

[honeybug]

So sorry Lisalou19

😊🌿🌸🦋

I feel so badly for you sweetie.

Life can be so unfair to those who really need it and deserve it to be fair.

Said a special prayer for you sweetie.

Sending you gentle hugs 🤗 love 💗 and kisses dear friend.

Take care be safe hun.

EJ xxx

[Lisalou19 in reply to honeybug]

Thank you beautiful xxx

[honeybug in reply to Lisalou19]

🙏♥️🥰🤗😊🌿🌸🦋😇🕊

[Lisalou19 in reply to honeybug]

Your emojis are enough to brighten any day 🌈🌟💐🦄👩🏻‍🎤🧑🏼‍🌾🤘🏼

Not quite the same but I tried 😘xxx

[honeybug in reply to Lisalou19]

They are lovely and I so enjoy receiving them as well as sending.

Bless you hun you made my day.

Much love 💗 and prayers dear friend.

EvaJo 😊🥰🤗🌿🌸🦋

Here’s a mini collage...

🌈💦🌈💦🌈💦🌈💦🌈

🌎🕊🌎🕊🌎🕊🌎🕊🌎

🌿🌹🌿🌹🌿🌹🌿🌹🌿

💖🦋💖🦋💖🦋💖🦋💖

🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿

🌈☀️🌈☀️🌈☀️🌈☀️🌈

[eekt]

Contact CAB and have official help in putting your employer right in what they should be doing. Email your MP and explain. Tell your medics and ask them for all the support they can give. Tweet your situation including BBC and all, if you can face media attention. It's just plain against the law, but going down that route would take forever and a day

Everything crossed for you xxxx

[Lisalou19 in reply to eekt]

I spoke to ACAS, they have advised that it is unlawful to be treated different from full timers

I’m

Letting it go over my head today because you know, I certainly don’t need to be worrying about work right now 😘xx

[Hidden]

Have you spoken directly to your boss and explained these feelings? Maybe they have misunderstood and thought, for some reason, they were taking burden off you?

Lisa Lou, please call them and let us know what happens, because otherwise, this doesn’t make sense. I totally agree with you, it’s as if you are being punished for your situation when, even though you have more justification then the other workers for not going in, you are willing and able to work from home as they are doing. 🙏I hope this works out ok!

[Lisalou19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I think the fact they say I can go in on Saturdays is there way of saying working from home is not an option for me. I put that in an email last week and was completely ignored 🤦‍♀️X

[Hidden in reply to Lisalou19]

Ouch, is there someone higher up you can speak to?

[Lisalou19 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately my manager is the bosses wife 🥴. The boss just ignores me.

I feel much lighter today not being apart of that group reading about conference calls, who’s doing what each day from home . I’d put the group on silent but you know you just go back and stick the knife in further yourself reading it.

For my own sanity I had to remove myself. I so need to keep in work but I need to remain mentally strong right now which is so important . It hurts but there’s much more important stuff going on in my life

Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Lisalou19]

Lisalou, I wish you the best. Hopefully this will be over soon 🤷🏻‍♀️and we can all get back to normal. I’m sorry this is the way your boss sees things.

[Lulutopical]

I think that you should respond with a 'thanks for your email/letter. I would like to continue working. I have a laptop and I am set up to work from home. Could this be approved as soon as is practicable please?'

They might actually be worried they are forcing you to continue working when you are at risk, and don't want any liability. If you clearly state what you want, they will also be in murky water for denying your request. Be clear, concise and direct.

Hope that helps?

Good luck! Lulu.

[Lisalou19 in reply to Lulutopical]

Thank you for your reply.

I’m going to switch off for a couple of days from it. I have said so many times I have the equipment to work from home.

Also the fact they are saying I can go to work on Saturdays kind of proves there is work there for me, just not from home 🤷‍♀️

I am extra sensitive so I am aware I take things harder than most. Xx

[Lulutopical in reply to Lisalou19]

I don't think you are being extra sensitive. You and your children should not have to choose between poverty and health. It isn't a fair thing to ask of you.

Do take the time out to switch off for a couple of days, but then, if you feel up for it, ask very clearly for what you want. Do it in writing, don't add any emotion, frills, justifications, excuses etc. Just plainly state what it is that you are asking for. If they then write back and say no, they cannot later pretend to have been accommodating. You will have a paper trail and could choose to take it further.

It simply gives you options, but hopefully they think twice, consider the consequences and just agree to your very reasonable request.

[Hidden]

Hi lisalou19, I'm so sorry your going through this. It just goes to show how different all bosses/employees are, the government advice is clear that if you can work from home you should be. Interestingly is your boss working from home or is he still going in? I so hope you get this sorted and have a good outcome. I know it's hard with sacrifices etc but more importantly you need to look after yourself, your health is vitally important

[Lisalou19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply.

He still goes into work but he doesn’t need to travel far and strangely seems unconcerned about the virus. This is why I don’t want to go into work full stop because I can not make him keep cleaning his hands etc. I don’t want to take any risks. Times like this are beginning to filter out very ugly people. X

[Hidden in reply to Lisalou19]

Unfortunately you're right, some people are totally ignorant when it comes to people like us with hidden illnesses. Easy for me to say I know but I'd just tell you're working at home and that's final. Drop your MP a tweet or email them and let them know what is happening, he's going to have to listen eventually

[DaftCat]

This has made me very angry! Please seek official help (HR, CAB or your MP) that could sort this out for

You.

[Lisalou19 in reply to DaftCat]

Giving myself a couple of days rest from the mental torture of it all. Have spoke to ACAS and it is unlawful.

Xx

[Jhay30]

As we are in lockdown you are entitled to 80% of your wages if you can't work from home. I see you have children, this may be the opportunity to spend time supporting and comforting them, they must be even more scared than we are. I work and was glad when they closed our shop, it's a terrifying world we live in, stay safe 💖

[Lisalou19 in reply to Jhay30]

Yes, my children need me. They don’t need me moaning about all this, that’s why I removed myself from the works communication group.

What you don’t know and all that 😉

Sounds like you have a good employer that has listened to our government and shut shop.

Stay safe xx