My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

Furloughed DH. Can he work?

26 replies

MyBeloved · 25/04/2020 18:11

Asking for DH. He has been furloughed from his job, but wants to work, if possible, as a delivery driver for a supermarket. Can he legally do this? Guidance online is not clear (to me, anyway!)

TIA

OP posts:
Report
TJH130 · 25/04/2020 18:12

Yes, he can take another job but can’t do any work for his employer that’s furloughed him.

Report
StoorieHoose · 25/04/2020 18:13

HE might need permission from his employers though. My furlough letter said that

Report
Youvegotafriendinme · 25/04/2020 18:16

My letter from my employer stated I could not take on other work including supermarket work. Get him to check his terms

Report
MyBeloved · 25/04/2020 18:17

Thanks for your quick responses! That's brilliant - much appreciated Smile

OP posts:
Report
Sharpkat · 25/04/2020 18:19

He needs permission from his employer and cannot work during his normal contractual hours so if he typically works 9-5 he can only work evenings and weekends for a second employer.

Report
MrsChoc · 25/04/2020 18:22

So long as him employer agrees yes.
He may need to sign that he forgoes the working time directive depending on his current contract.

Report
coconuttelegraph · 25/04/2020 18:22

Obviously you need to check with his employer, I'm not sure the bit about not working during your normal hours is right. I know it was said at the beginning but I've not heard it mentioned since. Do you have a link please @Sharpkat

Report
Dadnotamum72 · 25/04/2020 18:29

I think Sharkpat is right, what it does do though is beg the wider question of why any of these supermarket jobs are still out there and why haven't they been taken by those not covered by furlough/ the unemployed?

Report
Sharpkat · 25/04/2020 18:40

There are lots of articles in the press that say you cannot work for a second employer during contractual hours with your first, but it is not mentioned in the government advice here:

www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#while-youre-on-furlough

I read something on the CIPD website, but typically can now not find it, about it being related to the fact that you can be unfurloughed at any time and need to return to work so cannot commit to a contract.

Report
shampoofarrow · 25/04/2020 18:43

@Sharpkat that's incorrect there is no restriction based on your contractual hours ...

Only restriction would be if you have agreed with your employer not to work for anyone else

Report
puch · 25/04/2020 18:45

we have been told you cannot take another job whilst being furlough unless you had two jobs in the beginning otherwise you are being paid twice really. I am prob wrong but think if you get another job you have to give back the pay you received from the furlough job.

Report
shampoofarrow · 25/04/2020 18:50

Give back to who @puch ?

This is not correct. Who told you this??

If you have formally agreed with your employer not to take on a second job that's one thing, but you do not have to pay Tesco back if you take on a second job with them as a delivery driver

Not in the spirit of the scheme but that's a different point

Report
BlueGheko · 25/04/2020 19:00

It will depend on his employment contract or the furlough letter he signed. I'm not allowed to take on any paid work.

Report
puch · 25/04/2020 19:02

the government I meant! They are paying your employer 80 % so if you are receiving that payment and then get another job in a different company you are earning twice.
As I said I am prob wrong. We just got told we cant take another job whilst furlough.

Report
happytoday73 · 25/04/2020 19:07

Do you really need the money? If not... Could he not volunteer for something to keep busy?
Understand the need to keep busy but many people are struggling as cant work not furloughed so no income... They are often chasing jobs like this if not having to shelter or cover childcare so partner can work...

Report
MyBeloved · 25/04/2020 19:38

Thanks again, everyone. Yes, he is currently on 80% of his wage, and was hoping to work to make up the 20% shortfall.

I will speak to him about the advice you've given re: contacting his employer etc.

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Report
Chillipeanuts · 25/04/2020 19:43

I personally wouldn’t do this because, whilst he is only receiving 80% of his salary, lots of people have no income whatsoever atm and will need the job more than he does. Sorry, but I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do.

Report
marblesgoing · 25/04/2020 19:53

Me and dh just had this very conversation.

I was furloughed a month ago so am down by 20% per month and dh was furloughed yesterday and will also be down 20%.
We've just worked out we will be around £1000 worse off per month Confused

Dh trying to find out if he can take on any other work to try and up income a little.

For the poster saying it's not right as there are people that have no earnings and all I will say is supermarkets care and cleaning plus driving companies have been advertising for temp staff for the last four odd weeks so either the roles aren't being filled or people are choosing not to apply for them Hmm

Moral obligation for strangers is all well and good but not if it means keeping your own household running

Report
coconuttelegraph · 25/04/2020 20:22

Why does he need to contact his employer? The furlough conditions should be in the letter he received informing him he was being furloughed.

Report
BeforeIPutOnMyMakeup · 25/04/2020 20:25

@marblesgoing people are choosing not to do them either due to their employers preventing them taking up other paid work, or due to the risk to themselves/other members of their household in doing a job with more exposure to the general public.

Report
coconuttelegraph · 25/04/2020 20:27

I personally wouldn’t do this because, whilst he is only receiving 80% of his salary, lots of people have no income whatsoever atm and will need the job more than he does. Sorry, but I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do

If the people with no income wanted a job they've had weeks to apply Why would anyone not apply for a job because other people haven't applied for it? I don't understand that reasoning.

Report
sleepwhenimred · 25/04/2020 20:32

My furlough letter said I can take temporary employment but can do no work even unpaid for my current employer. As said previously he should check his furlough letter.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

pinkazing · 25/04/2020 20:35

You can take on extra work, our company are even helping us find work and have linked up with supermarkets to help. You would not need to pay anything back, but you need to be ready to return when/if they need you.

Report
blubellsarebells · 25/04/2020 21:36

Im allowed to get another job so long as i can return to my company as soon as they need me.
I will be looking for something if schools go back before I do.
Im furloughed but not getting 80% because tips and bonuses are not included.

Report
Chillipeanuts · 26/04/2020 11:54

marblesgoing


“Moral obligation for strangers is all well and good but not if it means keeping your own household running”

That’s a fair point.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.