What can’t we do if anything

TheTallGuy · Mar 30, 2020

Hesstondriver said:
1) you must not go to work if you can work from home
2) you can go to work if your work is a key industry, or an industry that supplies a key industry, or an industry that supplies an industry that supplies a key industry!

My day job is a key industry, supplying components to the medical industry. But we need our suppliers to keep supplying us so we can supply or customer to supply hospitals ! if they stop , we stop!

It doesn't matter if it is a key industry or supporting a key industry directly or indirectly - any business other than those explicitly listed on the gov.uk website (shops & restaurants etc) can continue subject to social distancing etc.

Tarw Coch · Mar 30, 2020

Hesstondriver said:
1) you must not go to work if you can work from home
2) you can go to work if your work is a key industry, or an industry that supplies a key industry, or an industry that supplies an industry that supplies a key industry!

My day job is a key industry, supplying components to the medical industry. But we need our suppliers to keep supplying us so we can supply or customer to supply hospitals ! if they stop , we stop!

And that’s where the problems start, jobs that don’t class as key jobs can be part of the supply chain for those that are, it only takes one small part of the chain to malfunction and the whole thing grinds to a halt.

Somehow we need to get away from this idea that only key industries can work, we need as many people working as possible, albeit quite possibly having to alter their work practices to fit around the social distancing.

Highland Mule · Mar 30, 2020

Tarw Coch said:
And that’s where the problems start, jobs that don’t class as key jobs can be part of the supply chain for those that are, it only takes one small part of the chain to malfunction and the whole thing grinds to a halt.

Somehow we need to get away from this idea that only key industries can work, we need as many people working as possible, albeit quite possibly having to alter their work practices to fit around the social distancing.

Which is what the government have told us...

Tarw Coch · Mar 30, 2020

Highland Mule said:
Which is what the government have told us...

Unfortunately that’s not the perception by many.
A couple of farmers have been stopped by the police around here, many many miles away from Guth, fetching fencing supplies from Wynnstay and told that fencing isn’t essential work and they shouldn’t be doing it, to my mind it’s all part of necessary farm work and needs to continue, obviously observing social distancing whilst collecting materials.
If the police are having difficulty interpreting the rules correctly what hope for the rest of us.
Unfortunately these stories soon spread via social media which leads to confusion of what we can and can’t do.

the-mad-welder · Mar 30, 2020

I thought this covered it nicely, section 4 in particular.

Grassman · Mar 30, 2020

the-mad-welder said:
I thought this covered it nicely, section 4 in particular.

Yes that's good. Even those who struggle to understand should be able to get their heads round that.

Grassman · Mar 30, 2020

There are so many businesses shut for no good reason and all they are doing is making it more difficult for everyone.

Tarw Coch · Mar 30, 2020

Grassman said:
Yes that's good. Even those who struggle to understand should be able to get their heads round that.

There was talk on another thread on here of how farmers could prove they are key workers and downloading a form in case they are stopped by the police when in reality they only need a copy of that in case pc plod ain’t seen it.

Chopsy Varmint · Mar 30, 2020

Grassman said:
There are so many businesses shut for no good reason and all they are doing is making it more difficult for everyone.

I suspect they're shut so the government pays the staff on furlough rather than the company when cashflow is going to be uncertain. Still not a good reason in my mind and not the British Bulldog spirit we're going to need to get out of this mess.

Flat 10 · Mar 30, 2020

My agronomist seems reluctant to come out, FFS he can walk the crops without seeing me

I think from the post above its perfectly permissable but possibly unhelpful to go and view machinery a few hours from home. Doesn't look good but again no need to meet anyone, view and do the deal over the phone after.

DaveGrohl · Mar 30, 2020

Some businesses can't get their staff to come in to work cos they'd rather be at home on 80% wages, this is actually happening.

Goweresque · Mar 30, 2020

Chopsy Varmint said:
I suspect they're shut so the government pays the staff on furlough rather than the company when cashflow is going to be uncertain. Still not a good reason in my mind and not the British Bulldog spirit we're going to need to get out of this mess.

I think they screwed up a bit when offering to pay staff wages, but only when furloughed. That makes it very hard to keep a skeleton staff at work to make vital supplies to customers, who may be key industries themselves. Because the choice is now close the doors, reduce overheads to as close to zero as possible (no heat/light/consumables etc) and have no wage bill, or stay open with a skeleton staff, who will have to be paid in full and also pay for the running costs too. Many firms have sensibly opted for the former option, close up completely.

What should have been offered was that if you furlough over X% of your staff (say 80%) then we will also pay the remainder even if they stay at work. So everyone gets 80% just like they do if furloughed, but crucial supplies and services can be maintained. This would also have allowed staff to be rotated if some of the workers get sick, and to allow people a rest, as the ones at work will probably be overworked.

som farmer · Mar 30, 2020

other half furloughed, works in opticians, but they want a rota, for someone to go in, for 1/2 day a week, to sort out post, bank any money, and 'dispense' any glasses etc, how does that effect the 'furlough' ?

Flat 10 · Mar 30, 2020

Had to google furlough, worked out what it meant but never heard that word before.

farmerm · Mar 30, 2020

How much of the new rules are actually legally enforceable?

ollie989898 · Mar 30, 2020

The government are quite clear- if you can work from home or work in a situation where you are not in contact with people, then do so. They don't want people sat at home doing nothing costing them 80% when they could be out being productive.

The food chain and all ancillary businesses (and that includes AD) MUST continue to function.

Highland Mule · Mar 30, 2020

farmerm said:
How much of the new rules are actually legally enforceable?

I haven’t read the actual text, but parliament put the laws through before they recessed, so to answer your question - all of it.

2tractors · Mar 30, 2020

som farmer said:
other half furloughed, works in opticians, but they want a rota, for someone to go in, for 1/2 day a week, to sort out post, bank any money, and 'dispense' any glasses etc, how does that effect the 'furlough' ?

That doesn't work the minimum period for furlough is 3 weeks without any work in that period, the only legal option and fair to all staff would be to rotate 1 member of staff to be on full pay to do those tasks.

upnortheast · Mar 30, 2020

gone up the hill said:
Fencing/ drainage/ building work etc will come to a halt for 6+ months anyway as you wont be able to get the supplies.

Local drainage contractor said an artic load of pipe was on the motorway heading to him last week when the company decided they should close. Phoned the driver & told him to turn round & come back to the yard.

gone up the hill · Mar 30, 2020

upnortheast said:
Local drainage contractor said an artic load of pipe was on the motorway heading to him last week when the company decided they should close. Phoned the driver & told him to turn round & come back to the yard.

That is just madness with that load.

Nearly every car garage around here has shut down today.

Just not workable everything being shut down like this for many weeks.

What can’t we do if anything

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100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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