To think that as I am furloughed, my employer shouldn’t be expecting me to be spending my time doing training courses?

[Anquin]

I’ve been furloughed for 8 weeks and am likely to remain on furlough for another few weeks. My boss wants me to pick online courses to do which will benefit the Company if or when I return to work.
At the same time, the senior management are sending weekly updates that are increasingly negative about the future of the Company.
I find it extremely difficult to self-learn, and I’m becoming more worried about the future as I think I might be made redundant. My immediate boss keeps asking how the training is going (we have meetings weekly to catch up) and I’m getting really upset and anxious about it.
AIBU to think that if I’m on furlough I should be able to spend my day at home doing gardening etc. without worrying about training?

[FelicisNox]

As others have said: you are still being paid by your company and training is allowed under the furlough rules.

You are NOT on a leave of absence as @itswonkylampshade suggested as that is unpaid.

You are also NOT on holiday: you are not in your normal work environment, not because there is no work for you but because it is unsafe for you to be there.

You may well not enjoy training but you will be required to train regardless of where you work and by not doing it you are making yourself look bad so you will be 1st out of the door if they make cutbacks. You say you are worried: you should be because you're not earning your 80% wage. A simple request of completing what is likely to be mandatory training is not unreasonable at all.

You can potter in your garden at the weekends and in the evening. Stop moaning and do your training.

You are not being paid your 80% wage by the tax payer to be on a Jolly.

[itswonkylampshade]

@FelicisNox I believe if you check the definition of furlough you’ll discover that’s exactly what it is: a temporary leave of absence.

[winterchills]

Of course you should do it. Why would u not? Your getting paid

[weebles03]

I would grab all the training I could get - especially if company may go under - seems a no-brainer to me

[Putyourdamnshoeson]

Do you all think that employers are providing high quality, paid for training?

[Truthpact]

Why wouldn't you do training?

If you lose your job, you realise everyone else does too right? You'll all be competing for any jobs left over at other places.

One way to stand out? Show you did some self improvement during furlough. Looks better than those who didn't bother and there will be people doing training or courses online. If you want to sit around gardening, then do so, but you'll be behind those that trained.