Supporting working parents during Covid19 restrictions

11 January 2021 | Eleanor Greenwell

In the UK we are now into a third lockdown due to the Covid 19 virus with stringent measures in place including parents now having to conduct distance learning sessions for their children.     

Working from home

The government have announced that all primary and secondary children are required to stay at home until mid-February 2021. Schools are now closed except for vulnerable children and children of key workers. With this in mind, employers are expected to be flexible with their staff who have child caring responsibilities.

So what options are available to working parents?

Depending on the age of the child, older children can be left unsupervised and to get on with their work upon the instructions of their teacher.  However younger children will need more attention from their parents to continue to learn and be home schooled.  Parents will find it difficult to juggle work and schooling obligations therefore asking the employer for time off work or flexible working hours is crucial.

The Government is aware of the difficulties working parents will face.  Recent Government guidance (please see here), state those with ‘caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (Covid 19), such as caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing, or caring for a vulnerable individual in their household’ can be furloughed.  Therefore, employees will receive 80% of their pay to stay at home and care for their children. This is a welcomed relief to many parents.   

Furlough

There is also the option of being part furloughed. As we are working in a changing environment due to the Covid pandemic, more employees are adjusting their working patterns by either working early in the morning or later on in the evening. Employees can be part furloughed for some of their working hours.

There is the also the option of taking some annual leave.  Last year the Government announced due to Covid restrictions 2020 employees could roll over 4 weeks of annual leave to be taken over a 2 year period.  Employees could start to take some of their annual leave to avoid excessive build-up of annual leave. 

The article is for general information purposes only and should you require any further assistance on the matter please do not hesitate to call our advice-line team on 01455 852028.

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