COVID-19: Where to get answers
With so many changes and updates every day, navigating opportunities and the right information during coronavirus can be tough. To help, the team here at Breakroom have compiled a list of useful resources.
Please take a look below, and if you’ve got something you think should be included, send it to us at hello@breakroom.cc and we’ll spread the word.
General financial information
Earnings protection
The government has provided lots of advice about how coronavirus will affect your earnings and how to protect them here, as well as how the pandemic might affect your benefits.
Find out if you’ll be covered by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Benefits
Struggling to make ends meet? The Citizens’ Advice Bureau has advice on everything from paying your bills to what benefits you’re eligible for.
Rents, mortgages and loans
Worried about the impact on mortgages, rent, loans, overdrafts? MoneySavingExpert has everything you need to know and more.
And you can follow the founder of MoneySavingExpert, Martin Lewis, on Twitter. He’s giving out a lot of financial information and advice as the government makes decisions.
The government also has further information on how coronavirus will affect renters.
Sick pay
Acas has advice on your right to sick pay if you get coronavirus or need to self-isolate.
If you have coronavirus or are advised to stay at home, you can get an ‘isolation note’ by visiting NHS 111 online. This should also help you to secure sick pay if you haven’t been offered it already.
Self-employment
Are you self-employed, an agency worker, or a freelancer? Find out how to get income support here.
Employer treatment
The Legal Beagle forums have loads of advice on what to do if you feel you’re being treated or dismissed unfairly by your employer.
Where to find a new job
If you’re looking for additional income, many companies are still urgently seeking hourly workers. Try Breakroom’s list of companies that are hiring throughout the pandemic, and see how they’re rated by current employees.
Other places to look for hourly work include Indeed, Gumtree, Guardian Jobs, Jobsite, and Totaljobs.
Sector support
Cafes, restaurants, pubs and hospitality
If you were on a zero-hours contract and are now struggling, apply for a grant from The Hospitality Workers Emergency Fund.
The government has closed entertainment and hospitality premises, however many are still operating takeaway or delivery services and are continuing to hire.
These local hospitality-based Facebook groups are good places to look for work in smaller businesses:
If you're considering working in a kitchen or delivery service for a larger hospitality company, you can also find out what these jobs are really like by looking at Breakroom's lists of fast food chains, restaurants or pubs and bars, ranked from best to worst according to their workers.
If you work in the drinks industry, have a look at The Drinks Trust, which provides practical, financial and emotional support to those involved.
Salons, health and beauty
All UK salons have been closed since 24th March.
More about what coronavirus means for the industry and how to get support can be found on Professional Beauty. Additional financial support information for salons can be found here.
This Facebook group also provides support and advice for salons during the pandemic.
Entertainment & arts venues
This Facebook group is curating the most useful resources for anyone in the UK theatre industry affected by coronavirus.
Eventsforce has compiled a list of what events management staff need to know about coronavirus, and the Drum has further information on what workers in the events industry can do to protect themselves.
Here’s the BFI’s official guidance on how coronavirus might affect the film industry.
People Powered 20 have pledged the industry’s support to the NHS, get in touch with them if you’d like to help.
Retail and supermarkets
The Retail Trust has got lots of resources to help retail workers cope with the effects of coronavirus.
The Association of Convenience Stores has advice for those working in or running corner shops and off licenses.
The Retail Worker Confessions Facebook group provides support, links to new job opportunities, and a safe place to vent if you’re feeling frazzled.
Health and social care
The government is providing financial backing to scrap car parking fees for NHS staff, social care workers, and NHS volunteers at hospital car parks, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
The COVID Doctors Forum UK on Facebook is a great place to share your experiences and get support from fellow NHS staff.
MoneySavingExpert has a list of perks and benefits to help get you through this difficult time, including special NHS-only supermarket opening times, and further discounts.
This Facebook group also posts regular updates about the latest perks that NHS workers can make the most of during the crisis.
Delivery drivers, logistics and transportation
The government has ruled food delivery as an essential service. These are the official government guidelines for staff in the transport sector.
Here’s the delivery driver guidance from Uber, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
And for the non-takeaway drivers, here’s guidance from DHL and the Road Haulage Association.
As there’s more demand for delivering food and other essentials, many transportation and logistics firms are looking to hire delivery drivers. You can see which companies are hiring and who’s best to work for on Breakroom.
Last updated on 7 April 2020