All our advice on the key issues can be found on the COVID-19 Advice Hub section of our website, which can be viewed here.
Lloyds have finally given staff reassurance that pay will be protected over the next three months. Jen Tippin (Group Director, People and Productivity) said the following in a note to staff:
“We know that many of you will be concerned about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on you and your families, particularly over the next 3 months which the Prime Minister referred to yesterday. Financial concerns may at the forefront for many of you. During this period I wanted to help alleviate some of these worries and give you our following assurances:
- For all of our full-time and part-time permanent colleagues we will continue to pay you your contracted hours as normal – no matter what your role is, how the outbreak affects what you do, or what your circumstances are
- If you are eligible for a pay increase, you will receive it from 1 April”
Updated Government Guidance For Critical/Key Workers
Today (on 22.03.2020), the UK Government published the answers to some important questions on key workers, which we have reproduced below (they are in italics). If you have any questions on the guidance published by the Government, please do contact us. The Advice Team are available 24 hours a day on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).
Please bear in mind that the Welsh and Scottish governments may offer different advice.
How are critical workers defined?
Children with a parent or carer who is listed on the government’s critical worker list should be considered for a school place, so long as their job cannot be done from home.
Many parents working in these sectors will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
BTU Advice: There is a list of critical/key workers defined as people whose specific roles are necessary for the continuation of an essential public service, based on an employer’s business continuity arrangements. I’ve taken this from an earlier UK Government announcement.
Please note that the Government, employers and other organisations are using the terms “critical workers” and “key workers” interchangeably to describe the same group of people.
Is it compulsory for critical workers to accept their place offer?
No. Many parents working in these critical sectors will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
When making alternative arrangements, parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, or friends or family members with underlying conditions.
BTU Advice: If you have been confirmed by the Bank as a key worker and you do not have alternative childcare, your children should be eligible for a school place. If schools are still refusing children in these circumstance, the Union will involve itself in helping members enforce their rights with schools. If you need our help, please call us on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).
How do we identify pupils who are the children of critical workers?
We know many schools will have already spoken with parents/carers to identify who requires a school place.
If it proves necessary, schools can ask for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip.
BTU Advice: Lloyds has been sending out letters to critical/key worker staff; if you believe you are a key worker and you have not yet received a letter from the Bank which can be provided to the school, please refer the matter to your line manager as soon as possible. If any problems arise, please contact the Advice Team on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).
Should schools only offer places to children of single-parent critical workers and children where both their parents are critical workers?
Children with at least one parent/carer who is critical to the COVID-19 response can go to school if required.
However, many families with parents working in critical sectors will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
BTU Advice: The advice from the Government is clear. Where necessary, the Union will involve itself in helping members enforce their rights with schools. If you need our help, please call us on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).
Will critical workers or parents of vulnerable children be penalised if they do not send their child to school?
No. Children with a parent or carer who is listed on the government’s critical worker list are eligible for a school place. However, many parents working in these sectors will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
How should schools identify which pupils are the children of critical workers?
We know many schools will have already spoken with parents/carers to identify who requires a school place.
If required, we recommend asking for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as confirmation from their employer on what their job is and how it is critical to the COVID-19 response.
BTU Advice: We’ve seen already attempts by schools to avoid taking children of critical/key workers, inventing their own rules. This is not acceptable and members experiencing problems should call us on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).