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It's sapping so much of my family's energy that my sister is being told by @jlandpartners to travel on public transport for over an hour to do stocktake in the retail store for click and collect. They're not accepting furlough - 'money from hard-working taxpayers'.
If staff don't feel safe or comfortable coming in, they've got to take unpaid leave or use holidays. This is for non key workers. It's appalling. They're getting away with it because click and collect is listed in 'essential' business (groceries etc) but retailers are abusing.
They are taking their own decision on what they see as essential work.
My sister now has a 4 week sick line for anxiety (caused by all this) which she's too scared to use because any sickness is penalised (as with any retail job you can only have so many sicknesses before disciplinary action). Regardless of #disability or #chronicillness.
It's time we saw businesses, particularly retail, finding an ounce of humanity.
She is vulnerable and my parents who she's living with are extremely vulnerable but they didn't receive a letter at the start of the pandemic. A letter from a GP is not 'proof'.
The Tory government ramped up the idea of disabled peopled as being lazy, scrounging liars and cheats, so it's harder than every now to have chronic illness taken seriously and compassionately.
It's the lowest paid, worst treated citizens who bear the brunt of this atrocious stigma around #disability, #mentalillness and #chronicillness. Employers insist they're listening but they don't change their procedures.
If someone is at increased risk they should be supported in protecting themselves. Simple as.
I've been in the position myself before where retail employers have asked me 'if I'm sure I'm up to this job' because of absence due to my #disabilities. Like it's Kinder to myself to quit. How then do I survive? Many people don't have the skills to walk I to a freelance career.
Or an admin job. Or an office position. Where, ultimately, they're still going to have a #disability. So what's really being said is 'we don't have room for your disability' and 'maybe another employer will be more understanding but really we don't care.'
It's a typical 'not my problem' situation which leaves disabled people struggling at work, to cope alone with zero support from the government.
I get that businesses are capitalists seeking to protect profit at all costs but in these circumstances we must protect the vulnerable. Going in during this is shitting all over her health (anxiety, ibs, insomnia, migraine, fatigue - I could go on.)
Would love to see @matthaig1 give this a share in the hopes of positive change, inclusion and compassion towards disabled employees in retail right now who are in the position of choosing between their job or safety.
We have to accept that absence from work is an adaption that must be made for #disabled people. Needing time off to rest and recuperate is a fact for many disabled people. It's time to swallow prejudice and stigma, and the idea that we're 'taking the piss'.
She spoke to her line manager about her concerns but all she was offered again was time banking. This is not good enough.
Profiteering at the expense of staff's health and safety.
Once again @scotgov - stop click and collect from being listed as essential.
Let's not forget these decisions lie at the top of the chain - with people who aren't working in retail stores or supermarkets. Most likely they're eating a tasty Waitrose lunch by some celebrity they've paid to write for the mag, working from home on their expensive laptop.
My sister can't afford to shop for her food at Waitrose.
Does @retailgazette have any opinion? Are you hearing from John Lewis staff?
