Furlough Fair Share

[overthinking88]

Need an impartial opinion.

I am a mid level manager for a company. There is another manager in my team and we do similar, but not quite the same roles. Between us we manage 15 people.

The majority of our company has been furloughed (90%) however a small group have remained as there are still basic tasks to do.

I was asked to stay on, along with two members of the team. The other manager was not.

This caused some friction between myself and the other manager. They felt that it was unfair that the other member of the team was asked to stay on and not them, and I also think they felt that they should stay and not me (been doing the job longer, more experienced etc)

It was not my decision to stay on - I was fully prepared to go on Furlough leave for April & May ( I had extensive plans on how to redecorate my house, and also have a nursery age DD who is now off so it would have been easier to not have to manager working from home and homeschooling. DH is a key worker & works shifts 7 has ramped up the night working overtime) However I was told that it was a director level decision that I was being asked to stay etc.

We are now being asked to furlough for June, and possibly July as well. Anyone who is already working will remain, a small number of additional people may be brought back, but the other manager in my team isn't going to be asked back as there isn't the work in our department yet.

I feel that I should offer to swap with the other manager, and offer to take June & July so they can come back. But at the same time, the work that needs doing is more in my area and there is very little of the other managers individual tasks that I am covering.

I feel torn! I had a very good relationship with the other manager before all of this, and now I feel that it has been shattered because of a decision that wasn't even mine!

[Pinkyyy]

Don't do it, it may seem like a nice break, but it's not worth it. You are at work and you should not give that up, many furloughed workers are finding that they have no job to go back to.

[LouiseTrees]

I think you should swap with them. Tell them you are going to offer to swap if they are okay with it.Explain that your family needs you for a short while and even if they could swap you out for just 3 weeks (that’s the minimum you can be put on furlough for) that would be great.

[Iwalkinmyclothing]

I think as a time when we are entering recession, could even see a depression, will definitely see widespread redundancies and unfortunately a lot of business collapses, it would be madness to do anything that suggests to your employer that you are not essential the the ongoing running of the business.

If your senior managers ask you to swap, fine, but I wouldn't suggest it. Particularly as you have said the work that needs doing is more your area.

[DollyPomPoms]

Don’t do it. You might find yourself out of a job once recession ramps up!

[SprinklesMcDoodles]

Don’t do it. It’s not your decision anyway.

[Blackbear19]

I wouldn't swap either incase redundancy do happen.
There was some mention of furlough and working part-time. Not sure when that kicks in might be July, but that would be an ideal solution for you, both you and the other manager working a short week.

[minisoksmakehardwork]

It's precisely because this decision hasn't been yours that you shouldn't offer to swap. For whatever reason, those higher decided you were the best person to stay at work. Now the work is more orientated to your area of expertise so it does make sense to protect your job as much as you can.

It sucks that the other manager is off and you are missing time at home with your little one, but you wouldn't have had the opportunity to be at home if the pandemic hadn't struck.

Your DH might just have to step back on the night time overtime until all this settles down. Unless he is doing a covid front line job. Many of DH's colleagues are using the current situation to take advantage of overtime, but many have also had to balance this up with the needs of the rest of their household if they have children at home and a partner who works.

[notangelinajolie]

Don't do it. I suspect being furloughed isn't going to be the best position to be in if redundancies are in the pipeline. If they know they can manage without a particular member of staff then this is the first place they will look for redundancies.

[BlackCatsRule88]

I’m in a similar position and I’m keeping quiet. Yes, it’s selfish but I have to think of my career and income. I need to protect my family and I as much as possible as in case of future redundancies. Kindness won’t pay the mortgage. Shit but that’s the reality.

[Xenia]

Don't. Your family comes first, your income, your children. Helping out another manage is not your job. Women can be too nice for their own good at work at times.

[Chloemol]

If you are asked to swap by work then consider it. But if not don’t offer. Work obviously have chosen you for some reason and not the other manager, (which could say volumes of you are both doing more or less than same role).

As others have said it maybe that redundancies are on the horizon, so put yourself first here

[foodandwine89]

Dear god do not do that!! why would you even consider railroading your own career for the sake of a man who thinks he's more important and is rude enough to make that clear. Do you have no ambition? Because if you say that to your employer, you will essentially be saying "i know you need me but i'd rather chill at home thanks xx"

[Devlesko]

No don't do it, they could b looking at losing one of you.
middle management are the first to go in recession.
They push juniors up, and entry level/min wage are cheap workers.

[Nameisthegame]

I agree, do not offer anything continue as you are. Especially with a young family you don’t want to risk your job as there could be redundancy.

[Helmlover1]

What if you did it and your employer found that the other manager was more productive and better at the job than you, do they decided to let you go? I’m not trying to be rude but if that was the case how much would you be kicking yourself- all in the name of being ‘nice’.

[Sushiroller]

Do not do it.
You may find yourself out of a job in an economic depression.

I guarantee you the other manager would not be offering to "swap" if you'd been furloughed.