A key worker, critical worker or essential worker is a public-sector or private-sector employee who is considered to provide an essential service. The term has been used in the United Kingdom in the context of workers who may find it difficult to buy property in the area where they work. The term was also used by the UK government during announcements regarding school shutdowns invoked in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to indicate parents whose occupations entitled them to continue sending their children to schools which were otherwise shut down by government policy, as well as teachers and LSAs at those schools.
Definition
A key worker is a public sector or private sector employee who is considered to provide an "essential service".
Key workers jobs that cannot be done remotely
Energy. Many of the jobs in this field, which includes mining and oil extraction, cannot be done remotely. First responders. These are the people communities depend on in emergencies, such as paramedics, firefighters and police. Education and child care. Making sure children can grow academically even during a pandemic means vaccinating teachers, their support staff, and daycare employees. Agriculture and food production. Many of the outbreaks at the onset of the pandemic were in meatpacking facilities and other food-processing plants. Critical retail. (i.e. grocery stores, hardware stores, auto mechanics etc.). Keeping supermarket employees safe makes it possible for others to stay fed while restaurants are temporarily shut down. Critical trades. (i.e. construction workers, electricians, plumbers, etc.) Manufacturing. These jobs (producing goods) cannot be done remotely. Corrections workers. Prisons are the types of closed facilities where the coronavirus can spread quickly. Postal Service workers. This group makes sure vital packages get delivered, along with providing other key services. Public transit workers. These are the people who make it possible for other essential workers to get to their jobs.(e.g transportation systems)
Key workers jobs that may be done remotely
Transportation and logistics. These are the workers who ensure that stores’ shelves remain stocked and other key supplies get where they're needed. Food service. States decide which facilities and restaurants are big enough for their employees to get vaccinated in this group. Shelter and housing. These are the construction workers and contractors responsible for the construction and repair of houses and other buildings. Architects and designers. Responsible for designing buildings and fixtures for both the public administration and the private sector. Finance. Families need financial advisers to help them navigate the recession that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. Information technology and communication. Videoconferencing and other internet technologies have become a lifeline for many families and businesses during 2020. Media. Making sure the public is accurately informed is vital during this public health crisis. Legal. While demand for legal services has declined significantly in 2020, these professionals remain essential for many proceedings. Engineers. Workers in these occupations play a major public safety role by guaranteeing that projects meet the appropriate standards and guidelines. Water and wastewater. Keeping the water supply safe means being able to keep these professionals on the job.
Applications
Military
During the Second World War in Germany, professionals who were indispensable to carry out a military, transport or administrative defence task could be freed from military service in the German Wehrmacht. They could be granted status as a key worker ("Schlüsselkraft") per § 5 Abs. 2 WehrGesetz. The term is still in use if reservists of the German Army (Bundeswehr) cannot attend military exercises, for example.
House prices
As of 2005, use of the term had become more prominent in the UK as escalating house prices resulted in a gap between household income and the cost of housing. Many local authorities and other public sector bodies, especially in London and the South East, where a "Key worker living scheme" operates have been facing major problems recruiting and retaining their workers many of whom are on lower levels of pay than the private sector in terms of housing in most cases the social rented sector is unable to provide low cost housing for rent or shared ownership. In response initiatives have been designed to house key workers, including low-cost loans and shared ownership schemes.