SCHOOLS will remain closed until mid-February under the third lockdown – but what are working parents’ rights to furlough, pay and time off?
Primary and secondary schools will close immediately and stay shut until the February half term after Boris Johnson ordered Brits to stay at home.
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The only exceptions are for vulnerable kids and children of key workers, who will still be able to attend colleges, secondary and primary schools.
It comes after new data revealed schools have triggered three times more Covid outbreaks than hospitals since October.
If you can no longer work because your child’s school is shut, we explain your work rights.
Can you be furloughed if you’re child’s school is closed?
If you’re unable to work due to school closures, you could be put on furlough, The Treasury has confirmed to The Sun.
There’s no guarantee though as it’s down to your employer to decide, but it could be worth asking.
In December, the coronavirus job retention scheme was extended for another month until the end of April 2021.
Workers on furlough will get 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to £2,500 a month.
The scheme was due to be reviewed this month, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he was bringing this forward to give businesses clarity going into the new year.
Workers can be on any type of contract, meaning you could still be furloughed if you are part-time or on a contract.
You don’t need to have been furloughed before to be eligible for the scheme, and the business you work for doesn’t need to have used it before to use it now.
But in order to qualify, you need to have been on your employer’s payroll by 11.59pm, October 30 2020.
Jane van Zyl, chief executive of charity Working Families, told The Sun parents are “being left to rely on the goodwill of their employer”.
She added: “As we saw in March, parents able to work from home and flex their hours are better positioned to muddle through.”
The charity is now calling for a statutory right to ten days paid parental leave irrespective of employment status.
Can you get time off work if your child’s school is closed?
If your employer won’t furlough you, parents are still entitled to take time off work to look after children – and you won’t face disciplinary action or lose your job.
This is known as “dependant leave” which allows mums and dads to take time off to deal with an unexpected problem or emergency.
The downside is that you may not be paid, unless your employer specifically says you will.
You may be able to negotiate paid time off, but it’s down to the discretion of your employer.
Workers may also be able to negotiate taking holiday or lieu days – but again, it’s up to your boss.
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Crucially, your employer can’t make you work extra hours or make up the missed time.
You can take off up to 18 weeks unpaid leave before your child is 18.
Alternatively, if you can do your job from home, you may be able to change your working hours to fit in childcare duties and get paid as usual.
All schools in 49 worst-hit Tier 4 Covid hotspots will stay shut for at least TWO weeks – but it could be longer
