Working parents need help dealing with the impact of the “chaotic” decisions on school closures, unions are urging.
The TUC criticised the “last-minute” approach to schooling, and called on employers to offer furlough to all parents affected by closures.
The union organisation said it was concerned that not all bosses are aware that caring responsibilities are an acceptable reason to furlough, so many mothers and fathers will have no choice but to take unpaid time off work to care for their children, or even be forced to leave their jobs altogether.
Employers can help workers through the crisis and give them a financial lifeline by offering them furlough, said the TUC.
Self-employed working parents should have automatic access to the self-employed income support scheme otherwise they could find themselves falling into serious financial difficulty and debt, it was warned.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The health and safety of school staff, children and parents and the wider community must come first. This Government has failed to keep school staff safe in their workplaces.
“With many schools closed, many families will be frantically trying to find a way to balance their work and childcare commitments.
“Without further action, many will have no choice but to cut their hours or take unpaid leave from work. This will lead to further hardship and will hit mums and single parents hardest.
“Employers must do the right thing and furlough mums and dads who can’t work because of childcare responsibilities. And the Government should give all parents the right to work flexibly plus 10 days’ paid parental leave each year.”
A Government spokesman said: “We encourage both employers and employees to be as flexible as possible during this difficult time, to support colleagues with childcare responsibilities.
“That includes providing flexible working and home-working arrangements, as well as considering requests from parents to be furloughed, which is at the employer’s discretion.”
