are furloughed people the new benefit scroungers?

[ghostmous3]

According to some posts that are doing the rounds on shitebook they are

Before lockdown people moaned about the 'feckless workshy' now the vitriol is aimed at the 'furloughed sitting on thier bums on beaches spreading germs, how dare they when weve got to work. We're paying for you're furlough'

I'm feeling bloody sensitive tonight. I didn't ask to be furloughed, I'm more than likely getting made redundant at the end of july and I dont go to beaches!

I don’t think those who have been furloughed are the ‘new benefit scroungers’. However, I am confused as to why my 17 year old (who lives with me) was furloughed from a weekend job. On my 2 mile walk home from work last night (would rather walk than get on public transport atm) having finished working my 4th 12.5 hr shift in 5 days I did feel some resentment towards all the people sitting (in large ‘unsocially’ distanced) groups drinking (also there was a waft of something a bit herbal) in the park. I’m a front line emergency services worker and at times I do feel pissed off that I’m struggling with childcare for my youngest and am exhausted from working in such a busy environment. Next week, due to it being half term my sons school will be shut and therefore my childcare will cost £180. I’m not entitled to benefits (other than child benefit) therefore cannot recoup some of the money I’ve spent on childcare, in non covid times my son would go to my (elderly therefore now self isolating) parents and a local childcare facility. If I’m truly honest (will probably get a backlash) I feel resentment towards those that have been ignoring the social distancing rules, I’m physically and emotionally drained. I’ve had to use annual leave to cover for days when I couldn’t work (weekends) due to having no childcare (I’m a single parent). I’m angry that I may have my pay frozen (although fingers crossed I hope it doesn’t come to that). I do however appreciate the support from the public and on the Thursdays where I’ve worked and have been walking home after an exhausting 12.5hr shift it’s bought tears to my eyes at people coming out to clap.
I think it’s a truely awful time for most people with declines in mental health and uncertainty over the future whether that be job security or when you’ll get to see loved ones again. I think we just need to be kind to one another.

@Whycantibeapuppy you can't claim benefits with no good reason for your whole life. That isn't possible.

I do hope that the people who are quick to judge people on benefits, or tar everyone with the same brush as being a scrounger, have had a bit of an awakening during this pandemic. Sometimes life deals people shit cards and they need some financial support to get back on track again. In this instance, a massive chunk of the country has been put in this position. Hopefully it’s given people a more empathetic view.

I don’t think those who have been furloughed are the ‘new benefit scroungers’. However, I am confused as to why my 17 year old (who lives with me) was furloughed from a weekend job

It would have been an extremely dodgy road to go down if who could and couldn't be furloughed was based on their worthiness of it, rather than their job. Who would have decided that?

I work in clothing retail, earning national wage, for 12 hours a week. I was a secondary school teacher before this job, for 30 years. I have never claimed any benefit, having always been employed. I was furloughed automatically when the lockdown was announced. I have used the time to help my husband get our allotment in order, and done a hundred other ‘when I have a minute’ jobs. The company I work for is paying me two days holiday for each month of lockdown, so I won’t be accruing holiday. I haven’t driven to any beaches or beauty spots, or indeed anywhere further than five miles from home. I do not feel one bit guilty - I didn’t ask for this and would go back to work in a heartbeat.

Being furloughed is not a choice and ppl need to remove their heads from their asses!! DH and I are both key workers (Dr and nurse, cliche much!) so we are going out and caring for the sickest, whilst the pay freeze is a kick in the teeth we understand that unfortunately something has to give to continue to support those who are furloughed. Through observation, I don’t think it’s key workers or those who are furloughed going out to the beaches etc, but rather those who lack any insight into the seriousness of the current pandemic. I think education should be a major focus for both the unemployed and the furloughed (and keyworkers). I think education should be made free and compulsory for all. We as key workers have had to complete online covid training.

Felicisnix, I am furloughed because my workplace is not safe and my students won't want to come in on buses and their workplaces are shut {apprentices not school} not because I need to stay at home. That said I only go out to walk dog and supermarket not charge off to beaches meeting mates and don't condone that at all. Just wanted to make the point that furlough doesn't mean I have to stay at home.

I am on furlough and on Tuesday I find out if I have a job or not. If people are getting pissed off with those on furlough while they're still having to work, I'll gladly swap!

Most of my family have managed to 😂

I'm on furlough and i'm pretty sure i am counting down to redundancy. Im bored stiff and would very much rather be at work. To my mind at least, the Furlough scheme is just delaying the inevitable massive scale job losses and not a thing to be envied.

To be honest what concerns me isnt people who are furlouged its the employers who it seems to me are furlouging far more people than they need to.I was in a very well know food store in my city thurs afternoon.2 tills only open,in one of the queues was a bloke spending a fortune on booze etc and god knows what else.He took forever and a woman behind him said to girl on till you seem to know him.O she said he works here,hes a manager,hes not working at moment! As they always seem short staffed and are usually very well staffed i presume they are furlouging far too many staff,why the hell should the staff left work their socks off,and the company expects the taxpayer to pick up bill.They dont have enough staff in store it seems.Young guy on till other week told me its caused resentment as the staff left are working really hard,whilst others furlouged,and come in and say dont want to come back.

I do wonder if some employers are using furlouging so they dont have to pay wages to staff.Its muc h more their fault than the staff.Hopefully a careful check will be kept on this,wealthy companies shouldnt be paying dividends etc and expecting Taxpayer to pick up wages bill.

Also i really wonder if with social distancing etc like in supermarkets couldnt more shops etc have been allowed to open even with restrictions,was this total shutdown really necessary,the amount of unemployment will be horrendous,and there will no opportunites for anyone,people will be jobless for years.Its a terrible prospect for many.

I cannot believe anyone is saying that! I am working flat out in public service and a don't begrudge anyone furloughed. DH has wanted to retire for the last 35 years I have known him, hes been furloughed and I can see the effect this has had on him, I can only compare it to how I felt when I was made redundant years ago, unwanted, worthless, and lost. Neither of us have ever claimed benefit, so this is the first time we have ever needed help and the people criticise....excuse me !

I totally support the furlough scheme but am also aware of more than a couple of examples of people abusing the system.
I have a cousin who has falsely claimed a vulnerable relative moved in so she could be furloughed as she just didn’t want to work but didn’t want to give up the cash!
I have full sympathy for those on furlough who are uncomfortable financially (my cousin is far from this situation). I do get pissed off at her smugness at gaming the system when I have a friend paid a tiny amount of housing benefits and I think how much better the money could be spent if it had gone to her rather than my cousin.
To be honest though any system isn’t perfect and is likely to be abused.

Fair enough, first three weeks in it was hardly worth it, but come on ... til September and there's no way some people could be retrained in call centre work or carehome duties?

Why the obsession with September nohardsell? The scheme in current form runs only until the end of July, then there's an amended version where employers will have to contribute and people can be brought back on reduced hours until at least the end of September.

I have to admit I’ve felt a touch of envy towards those furloughed whilst I’ve been working 7 day weeks and they are able to spend time with their families, although not on the scale you are taking about op.

BUT, I then realise that I’m
being an absolute dick and give myself a good talking to!! In my heart of hearts I know I am being absolutely ridiculous and I’m lucky to have this level of job security. It always seems as though the grass greener though.

That is exactly the point ... give yourself a talking to, think thank God it's not me, pull then long socks up and move on ! We can get hough it, I am not facing the day to day horrors but am happy to do my bit!

My son had cancer 2 years ago, and now has to 'shield' He HAD to report this to his employers (ready meals- bottom fallen out of this market) so now he is on furlough. This is such a worrying time.

Why the obsession with September?

Because this bloody scheme appears never ending. A few weeks - fine. Six months = plan it properly.

It is absolutely the case that it has led to more businesses closing than was predicted. Business owners are canny and saw an opportunity to offload wages during a slack time, regardless of if they were forced to close or chose to close. Why would people complain if they get a chance to stay at home on full/nearly full pay?

I can't home ed my three kids so that's another kick in the teeth, as I am so busy working. Today, (this is a little break before it's back to it) tomorrow, bank holiday, on and on and on. And I love the idea that I should be grateful - what for? Is that the protestant work ethic at play? I'd rather be home edding my kids and baking bread on full pay. There is no connection in my industry between furlough and job
insecurity

It's incredibly unusual for public sector to be furloughed, poster who said they were. I thought it was actually not allowed but google says there are rare occasions. Lucky you

That doesn't explain why the focus on September, since the scheme as it is now will have ended by then but the amended version will continue after it.

My builders furloughed themselves on 23rd March .... they were already over 6 MONTHS behind on a job that was meant to take 6 months! One is suntanning away from primary residence with his girlfriend. Another is chilling in his place. The directors are doing FA and they COULD actually be working now as they are allowed back as per government (although I think they were never told to officially cease all work). Our main work on our extension is now OUTSIDE and we only need two guys for that part so there’s little danger from covid to them....... their other job is also mainly outside. No word from them. Tell me they’re not taking the piss?! THAT example annoyed the hell out of me. I’m sure others are not all pisstakers but here is a company of about 10 employees that are.

Not seen any similar posts.
Quite worried for the people I know on furlough, that they can make ends meet and also whether their jobs will still be there.

NoHardSell I appreciate that it is tough for you, but anyone still employed right now should absolutely be grateful they still have a job. No one chooses to be furloughed.

With the best will in the world it is patently obvious that many of those currently on furlough will not have a role to go back to at the end of this. Most companies do not have an endless supply of cash in the bank. Even though the government is providing support with employee wages there are still other costs to be paid. How long do you think these businesses can continue to pay the bills with nothing coming in?

I am also finding it quite tough, and would love to have more time with my kids. But those on furlough leave are not to blame for my struggles and I recognise the fortunate position that I am in.

I only know one person personally who has been furloughed. Much higher up than me in the same company on 100% pay - they have been told their job might not be there after though, so no, I feel sorry for anyone who has been furloughed.

Why therefore are you pissed off? Is it because you are one of those people who whine about the great benefit scandal and now find yourself on their side of the fence and are frantically trying to convince yourself that you're not one of "them"?

Actually felicia I've been on benefits as I've pointed out before. I was on them for a few years, I've never ever judged anyone for being on benefits because I've been there myself. I've also got 2 children with autism so dont tell me I dont know what it's like on the other side

Also where in my furlough contract did it stay I had to stay in so I dont piss of key workers and other people still working. I've just asked dp (who is not furloughed) if that's how he feels and should I be doing that and hes just literally laughed and said dont be ridiculous! So so arrogant.

If the govt are easing the lockdown (in England, I'm in wales) and has given permission for everybody to travel a bit further and go out to parks etc then im sorry I'm not staying in just so I dont piss anybody off. Admittedly I'm not going to the beach that's madness but I will take my children if I can out to the local park once lockdown in wales is eased. Sorry but the fact that my 2 autistic children are suffering too and need some normality trumps your desire to have me prisoner in my home. I'm hardly having a jolly am I.

I am furloughed through no fault of my own. The industry that I'm in has just made thousands of people redundant because no planes are being built, noone is flying and my company is about to go under. It's a big employer in my town and people are shitting themselves. I dont boast in face book, neither do I share lockdown selfies or do hashtag loving lockdown. What shite.

Go and tell other walks of society to stay in then, not just the furlough

My anxiety has shot through the roof, my self harm has come back because I know I wont have a job come the end of july.

What a nasty judgemental bitter ignorant post and judging me because my company through no fault if my own put me on furlough..really?