I did wonder about putting this on pedants corner, but here goes! And it is only half serious, though I think the issues raised are valid! I work for a local library and have been on furlough for much of the year. I actually miss my job and my regular borrowers very much and won't be sorry to go back. At the start of LD2 all the staff got emails telling us we may be "asked" to volunteer. (The ** are my addition). I haven't been asked. Maybe because of my age ;65, maybe because I don't drive or maybe because as I am getting older I am getting a bit less tolerant ( i. e. Downright bolshie) but my friend and colleague has. She has to sit in the entrance of the Town Hall by the registrars office and when people come in (strictly appointment only) , tell them to sanitise their hands and wear a mask and tell them where to go. She says it is the most lonely, boring, mind dumbing job she has ever done. There are very very few visitors. And it is from 8.30 to 4.30. Now it looks like our library may not reopen until the new year. My friend is horrified that she may have to do this until then, especially as they have asked her to do more hours anyway. So . My slightly tongue in cheek questions are. 1) can you be told to volunteer? Isn't that an oxymoron? " Temporary redeployment " is nearer the truth. 2) The council's reasoning is that we are being paid, so if we are needed to work our hours in any capacity, we should do so. A sentiment that I fully agree with. But, the council is only actually paying 20% of our salary, the government is paying the rest. So should my bored friend say she will only work 20% of her hours in this voluntary capacity? What do you think?
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