When schools (rightly) closed last week, we knew many working mums (& dads) would be plunged into the nightmare of trying to work AND look after their kids AND homeschool. So we @the_TUC asked them how they were managing. 55,630 parents replied (!), in four days, 7-10 Jan 1/
@The_TUC We knew the last lockdown hit mums hard. I say mums, cos it's still mums that do the majority of the childcare and who stepped back from paid work to look after their kids. Yes I know many dads do their fair share.
@The_TUC Here's what they told us. 9 in 10 said they were stressed and anxious. No wonder. Even with an understanding boss, it's hard. And for many mums, the kids at home all day meant they faced a catastrophic loss of income.
@The_TUC How are they managing? 65% are working from home and doing childcare. 25% are using annual leave (but that stores up problems for the long summer holidays later in the year). 18% have reduced their working hours. 14% are taking unpaid leave.
@The_TUC The government says furlough can be used if parents can't work cos childcare. But 40% didn't know this. 78% have not been offered furlough by their employer. And a totally unacceptable 68% who did ask for furlough were turned down for it by their boss.
@The_TUC Mums are exhausted. Reading the stories they shared with us, desperation comes through. Mums looking after kids all day, then up working half the night. Couple families where one is required to work outside the home. Single parents with no support at all.
@The_TUC It will hit single parents and low income mums worst. There’s a reason govt after govt have tried to get women into decent work: cos that’s how we cut women’s & children’s poverty. We are already going backwards. Shredding women out of the labour market will make poverty worse.
@The_TUC It’s happening. Women are leaving jobs, and cutting hours. In a recession, with unemployment rising, 48% fear they'll be treated negatively by their employer cos of difficulties with childcare. Scary when there are more so redundancies everyday.
@The_TUC The last lockdown was a surprise. This time, it's wearingly familiar. The government should have thought about how to support working families for the long term - and been ready to help.
@The_TUC UK parents don't get *any* paid parental leave – out of step with lots of developed economies. We need at least ten days paid pa. Plus a right to flexible working - eg predictable or compressed hours, as well as working from home. The government should sort these urgently.
Oh my god politicians are getting it all wrong on communicating we should all get vaccinated. So we're going to have to step up.
Here's what individuals can do to help the NHS and get as many people vaccinated as possible 1/
Before your turn comes, talk to your family about it. Explain that you want to get it, and you want them to get it too. When you get offered it, say yes. 2/
Tell everyone you know that you got vaccinated. Share pics. Say something about you - who you are, your interests and passions, where you're from - so people can identify with you 3/
One for "all back to workplaces" advocates to chew on.
41% of working mums with kids under 10 don't have enough childcare this September.
45% said they don’t have their usual help from friends and family
28% don’t have their usual nursery or childminder available
But here's why back to school doesn't = easy return to office working.
35% can't get a place at afterschool club
28% can't get one at a school breakfast club