To message my boss to say thank you

[KatC9]

I got paid today. The full amount... I was put on furlough at the beginning of the month and I haven't been doing any work. I did catch up with my colleague a couple of times the past month but nothing work related really... I feel ashamed and sad and greatful at the same time. The thing is I stated this job in February so I barley been with the company a month before this all kicked in... it's a fairly small company, there is only about 15 of us and I know some of my colleagues who can work remotely are still working... I feels worthless and useless, but I thought I send an email to my employer to say thank you for getting the extra 20% from him and also just to say if there is anything I could do from home, any kind of help I'm happy to do it ! Is this stupid?

An email would be very appreciated I'm sure, but keep the tone as one person to another, not worshipping/kissing his feet...

Who said anything about kissing anyone's feet?

Some people have a problem saying thank you because they think it makes them seem weak. I find that odd and sad. I would have thought the present situation has shown how important it is to acknowledge how much we need each others' support. If you are the kind of person who deliberately withholds appreciation, how is that going for you in your work and personal life?

I would just thank them, and maybe mention that you're doing some reading or whatever to keep your knowledge and skills fresh for when you go back.

Def don't ask them if there's anything you can help with.

Do not feel guilty. No one asked to be out in this position. It is outside of your control.

Martin Lewis has said

"Your employer can choose to 'top up' the Government grant. It can pay your full salary while you're furloughed – but it's not obliged to do this. And indeed, many won't have the funds to be able to do this.

It's up to your employer to decide and define who is furloughed. It could be because you've no work to do, but it can also be because you have to be home to look after children or you're self-isolating. The key to this is that the state is looking to support people, so this isn't about loopholes to catch people out, it's about a broad sweep to gather people in."

This is the state working as it should to support those in need and your kind employer has topped it up. Maybe next month it won't be. Just don't worry about it.

I sent my bosses a thank you email.

They sent an email at the start of the lockdown saying we’d all be paid in full for the entire period, that that would be the case if we were able to work or not and that we were all valued and necessary.

I thought the reassurances offered were worthy of thanks at this time.

From an employer's perspective, we've furloughed a couple of staff and are continuing to pay full pay. One of those furloughed has contacted me to say thank you and it made me very happy. I like to think that I'm a reasonable employer as it is, but little things like a "thank you" makes it totally worthwhile for me. She even passed on a message from her self-employed DH who was over the moon about how kind we were being!

I think you sound lovely OP, so send the email of thanks, but as others have said, don't offer to do any work as you're not supposed to be while on furlough.

If you're in a technical position you could just let them know that you're continuing to keep up to date and do relevant reading and research in your own time, so that it will benefit them on your return.

I would thank your boss and ask if there is any non work related support you can give the company.

I work for a very large company and upward feedback to my boss that we as staff have been treated well and wanted management to know that staff do appreciate it.

His response is that we invest in our staff and know in the future we as staff will give back. I am happy with that approach and you will have be giving your goodwill back to the company once we return to normality.