Working on furlough - to be pissed off with employer

[treacle456]

I have been on furlough since March. However I have been carried on doing essential parts of my job in a voluntary capacity since then - I was one of only a few people who did this as these tasks were essential and employer is a charity.

I have found out many people are now back at work off furlough, yet I am still working as a volunteer on 80% of my salary. People are giving me more and more work to do too. And they don't want to bring me back until the autumn.

I feel massively insulted but don't know what to do as the company has been making redundancies so if I rock the boat I am an easy target. What shall I do?

I am already updating my cv.

[WorraLiberty]

Make a list of all the work you're doing and how many hours etc it takes.

Then have a frank conversation with your line manager and point out that you should no longer be on furlough, as you do have work to do.

[PotteringAlong]

You cannot work on furlough. No volunteering, nothing. If they want you to work, they pay you.

[PotteringAlong]

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/customs-excise-and-vat-fraud-reporting


Report them for fraud here.

[FiveToFour]

What PotteringAlong said.If you are furloughed you can't do any work for your employer.

[SpongebobNoPants]

Yeah as a PP said. They can part furlough you though... however claiming 80% of your income back through the scheme and expecting you to work is actually illegal

[YeahWhatevver]

It sure the "volunteering" is actually legal.

You're on furlough and doing work that benefits your employer pretty sure that's against the rules.

Stop being so helpful, not surprised they want to stretch you out to Autumn and get 6 months free labour out of you.

[SauvignonGrower]

What you've been doing is illegal and is exploiting the goodwill of taxpayers. Don't care if you are a charity. It still doesn't make it right.

[PotteringAlong]

Also, did you not sign a form for furlough stating that you wouldn’t work for them?

[Sparklingbrook]

That's so out of order. I had to sign to say I would not undertake any work at all during furlough. Your employer is in the wrong.

[TakemedowntoPotatoCity]

Volunteering my arse. You're an employee and they are massively taking the piss. They should be paying you, not taxpayers, it's fraud.

[GreyGardens88]

Tell them to unfurlough you and secure your job or you'll report them for fraud

[PenelopePitstop49]

What you do is report them for fraud.

[KylieKoKo]

I think a lot people are in this position. It's all very well telling people to report and that they shouldn't be doing it but it's not easy to say no to or report your employer when we're on the brink of a recession.

Op do you have a good relationship with your boss? Would you feel comfortable approaching them about this.

[Ellmau]

However I have been carried on doing essential parts of my job in a voluntary capacity since then - I was one of only a few people who did this as these tasks were essential and employer is a charity.

This was actually illegal. Regardless of whether it was a charity or not.

[morethanafortnight]

While on furlough you can be a volunteer and work for anyone - except your own employer who has furloughed you.

They are breaking the law.

[istheresomethingishouldknow]

Report them for fraud. We're all paying for this shit. i don't care if they're a charity or not.

[happytoday73]

From the 1st July they can bring you back part time off furlough... So say 50%in, rest paid by furlough scheme... I'd negotiate for that with full pay...

[Happygirl79]

Report them. If someone else does you may well be dragged in to it

[DamitJanet]

As everyone has said above, although you can volunteer for another organisation while on furlough that cannot be for your employer charity or not. So they should be paying your wage, a furlough claim for you is fraudulent.

[FromMarch2020]

It doesn't matter who they are if you are working for them and they are getting the taxpayer to pay the wages they are breaking the law and the spirit of the furlough scheme - not meant for that. You are helping them break the law here.

[blardiblabla]

Yep. Fraud. Up to you whether you point that out to them, but I would be very clear that you are either unfurloughed, or you remain furloughed and don't work at all. If they get shitty with you, maybe report them. But do not carry on with it.

[Marnie76]

What does your company (and you) think furlough is? It’s not just free money. It’s meant to compensate the company for the fact that you’re NOT working. You should not have been working for them at all.
I would look for another job.

[heartsonacake]

Your company has committed fraud and you doing these tasks while on furlough is illegal.

[TARSCOUT]

Whilst on furlough you can undertake training for your job but you cannot do any work. You cannot take on an additional job whether voluntary or not without the permission of your employer. This permission will be detailed in your contract of employment.

[flack]

fraud fraud fraud. Shop 'em.