To think there is a big divide growing between the furloughed and the not furloughed?

[luigilu]

Don't get me wrong, I know there are many people relying on the furlough scheme and very relieved it has been extended. However I have noticed amongst friends and family that there seems to be a divide growing between those eligible and not and wonder about the long term impact of this.

Many people are not eligible for support and stuck with nothing or universal credit. There is a sense that if you are not working due to covid you are somehow more deserving of support than those who may have lost jobs or been unable to find work for other reasons. Those who were not in work when this started such as school leavers/university graduates will really struggle to find work and will be eligible for very little support.

Many keyworkers working full-time in dangerous and difficult jobs such as health and social care settings. People on minimum wage in care homes with insufficient ppe paying tax to support those on 80% of wages far higher than their own. Surely this will breed resentment when there are people paid a pittance literally risking their lives for less money than others are getting to stay at home.

Employers using it as a way to temporarily cut costs when they really don't need to such as B & Q, businesses that were not profitable anyway such as Victoria Beckham, second home owners taking advantage of loopholes to get grants etc.

People doing better through the scheme than they otherwise would be eg I know someone planning to retire who has now been furloughed so delaying retirement until the scheme stops.

Does anyone else feel like an unintended consequence of the extension of this scheme will be an increased division between those eligible and those not (either still at work or not able to work but not eligible for this very generous level of support)

Didn't we have this exact same thread 2 weeks ago?

We've had pretty much every thread before. I don't hold it against the people being furloughed, but as someone who falls through the net (despite working continuously for the past 30 years other than a short period of maternity leave I funded myself) I have just burst into tears that there's more for some people and nothing for me, it's psychologically difficult to feel no one gives a shit.

There is so much in your post, OP, but I'll give you my thoughts.

I think there is a growing divide regarding the staff retention scheme.

One of the reasons I am supportive of the scheme is for those where their employers have been forced to close. That is a different reason from those who abuse the scheme as a way of managing their cash flow.

It is vital to protect industries that have been forced to close by the government. Hospitality industry is an example. They will be the last to open.

For those that have lost jobs, due to Coronavirus impact, I absolutely feel for them also. I understand the despair.

But, the extension is a good move by the Chancellor.

You're not U for feeling as you do. But, the scheme is not just to pay furloughed people. It is not a choice to be furloughed. It is the employers decision who to furlough. The detail within the scheme, is to retain staff. That is very much in all our interests

Yes I agree but I have been slated for saying this so many times. I feel vulnerable at work as a Care Worker and don't feel the Government gives a shit about us tbh.

I don't know, @Lockheart, maybe. I don't manage to read every thread on mumsnet! Either way it has just been announced that the scheme will be extended for another 4 months so people might be interested in discussing it.

I'm so sorry, @TabbyStar . That must be so difficult and feels so unfair.

I agree with you that it seems unfair, but can you actually come up with a system that is totally fair to every individual in the country?
Unfortunately that’s how life is sometimes.

@felineflutter

Are any care workers furloughed and being paid through the staff retention scheme, do you know?

I feel for you and your colleagues. You have really been thrown to the wolves. I'm hoping that the sector has a fuckng good shake up after this.

I don’t have any personal feelings either way but I have noticed a fair few comments now from staff in my workplace.

70% of us are on furlough full pay and the rest working as normal.
Lots of comments about them getting an easy ride compared to us left manning the sinking ship!

I was on fairly low pay before being furloughed so would sooner be able to go back to work and earn 100% of my wages, plus tips which is what a lot of people on the hospitality industry rely on. I get the frustration of other people but I do feel it’s unfair to pin that on people who have been furloughed. I’ve had family members who I’m very close to fall out with me because I’m following the rules and not going back to work, I didn’t get a choice in that and it’s certainly not been a holiday for me.

I do definitely think some form a divide will develop but I find that seems to be happening a lot these days with regards to loads of topics. I think it’s sad that some people are turning on each other rather than directing their anger towards the government who made these decisions in the first place.

At my workplace (hospitality so shut down) only essential skeleton staff are still working from home. HR / Accounts etc and the live in Maintenance Manager. Those of us still working are very grateful to be paid 100% but those on Furlough are upset at losing 20% and want to come back but we can't let them or afford them. I feel very sad for everyone and have no resentment at all. I just hope things start to improve soon so we can all get back to normal.

I work in a care home. We have furloughed staff who have been asked to shield they had to prove it. I think this is fair as why should they loose their wage not their fault.
However, if I start to see furloughed people sunbathing over the weekend in the park while I'm working my ass off for probably less money I cant deny I'll feel a bit bitter.
I know many of them will be worried if they have a job to return to but seeing those 'socially distanced' street parties on Friday felt like the rest of the country was just enjoying a holiday

The people working on minimum wage are not funding those on furlough. Someone working 40 hours a week on minimum wage pays less than £2.5k in tax and ni per annum. Furlough isn't for the workers anyhow. It's to stop businesses making everyone redundant (and govt would prob have to pay their redundancy payments given the businesses will be insolvent). This is all about protecting jobs and indirectly corporation tax revenue.

I’m not furloughed, I am Working from home but I have no issue with people being able to survive whilst workplaces are closed. I know someone with an asthmatic child who has been in hospital several times for breathing difficulties. He is furloughed and struggling as he is the only wage earner and has lost 20%, it’s not all wornderful.

I've just submitted a question to the daily briefing about this - I'm one of the people who have fallen through the gap (only self-employed since Jan 2020) and I'm curious to know whether those of us who have been excluded from help will be forced to have the financial measures imposed on us (to re-coup money for the gov) as those that have received generous financial help? I feel like if we do I may actually try and get backing to try and counter this legally.
I have no resentment at all to those who have received help but I have fucking massive resentment for a government who have been happy to receive my taxes for 28 years and yet won't help now all employment has dried up. And yes I know I could apply for UC but why should I be forced into this level of payment when others are getting 80% of their previous wages?

Any scheme devised very quickly to addresss a crisis will have winners and losers. It's inevitable imo.

Anyone who objects to paying a bit more tax to keep people in jobs and stop those jobs ceasing to exist would do better to direct their ire at those who offshore profits and the governments that have successively failed to close the loopholes that make that sort of avoidance legal.

Many of those furloughed will be back to work themselves and paying tax to support those whose jobs are gone forever. Plus many people on furlough are paying tax, too.

It would be a tragedy if those who are not supported by a government safety net directed their ire at the people who are, instead of at the government itself.

I am annoyed that at DS's work they have split the workers down the middle, half are furloughed on 80% pay and the other half are working extra hard and with no thought to social distancing and infection control. DS's view is that they have asked those who are the hardest workers to remain in. He is working and happy to be occupied but i am quite cross and feel he is being put at risk and taken advantage of. His direct manager is one of the people who is furloughed so DS is doing a lot of his manager's work.

Just look at the zillions of previous threads. The furloughed ate the new underclass.