Key Workers

[Mr Ripple]

It's really hard to work out where the list of "key workers" stops and given the government's distinct lack of clarity on the subject it's not a surprise businesses and people are getting it wrong.

My trade and 90% of my companies branches fall into the key workers category but based on Boris's non descript guidelines broadcast last night i thought 90% of what we did would be classed as non essential.

It's still very confusing so If anyone finds anymore information on the subject please post it here and in the meantime i found the below from the department of educations website which provides a little more clarity than Boris has done so far.

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/list-key-workers

List of key workers
Date published: 20 March 2020

This list is not prescriptive. However, to give some guidance the following outlines the broad categories of what would be defined as a key worker;

• Health and Social Care. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector

• Education and childcare. This includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response

• Public safety and national security. This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles

• Transport. This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response

• Utilities and Communication. This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies, to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff in telecommunications, post and delivery, services and waste disposal

• Food and other necessary goods. This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g. hygiene, medical etc)

• Other workers essential to delivering key public services

• Key national and local government including those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response

 

[Rickster]

Im beginning to read it like ....if you don't work in a shop that's shut.....then your a key worker...carry on...get the tube

 

[Lord Grim]

I’ve been arguing backwards and forwards with this for most of the day. I’m in H&S for a SME rail firm. We’re classed as key workers, meaning that all jobs are on and everyone’s expected to work. Some of our guys want to self isolate, some want to earn money..,fairs fair and horses for courses, my personal opinion shouldn’t really enter into it.
Some of our work is essential (railway bank slips for example) and some isn’t.
So my argument has been: let’s close the non essential sites, therefore allowing those that want to isolate to do so and cut the risk to those who want to work, and can be employed on the essential sites.
Of course, this has been laughed off by management who only see the bottom line, am I mental for thinking that this is a sensible solution for everyone?

 

[Mr Ripple]

I’ve been arguing backwards and forwards with this for most of the day. I’m in H&S for a SME rail firm. We’re classed as key workers, meaning that all jobs are on and everyone’s expected to work. Some of our guys want to self isolate, some want to earn money..,fairs fair and horses for courses, my personal opinion shouldn’t really enter into it.
Some of our work is essential (railway bank slips for example) and some isn’t.
So my argument has been: let’s close the non essential sites, therefore allowing those that want to isolate to do so and cut the risk to those who want to work, and can be employed on the essential sites.
Of course, this has been laughed off by management who only see the bottom line, am I mental for thinking that this is a sensible solution for everyone?

You are 100% right.
My company has done a full U-turn from business as normal to dropping all non essential routine tasks.

Without dissecting every scenario which is impossible It must fall down to all people and businesses being responsible for protecting others and preventing possible spread.

Take self isolating for example.....
There is no testing for jo public so we have to take it that the slightest sniffle could develop and therefore should automatically instigate the process.

 

[flearider]

it all boils down to if you can afford to be off then do so (for your own safety) ..
will find out tom if i'm furloughed if not then i'll be going down asda or tescos looking for a job

 

[Lord Grim]

it all boils down to if you can afford to be off then do so (for your own safety) ..
will find out tom if i'm furloughed if not then i'll be going down asda or tescos looking for a job

I really, passionately want to disagree, but sadly you’re right. It could be different, if employers were to forget their margins for a while and work with a government that I didn’t choose but have massive respect for at the moment. But that’s a Utopia, and isn’t happening, and it’s going to kill people. Bet that won’t be reported in the FWI’s.

 

[mick brown]

I can afford to be off but feel I shouldn't because of what I'm making. Difficult decision so I'm working

 

[flearider]

I can afford to be off but feel I shouldn't because of what I'm making. Difficult decision so I'm working

and what are you making ?

 

[mick brown]

@flearider . Indexing fixtures for a company that have been commissioned to produce ventilators

 

[OccultScientist]

Very interesting thread @StrawberryRipple thanks.
Will be interesting to see this updated as better information comes through.