Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

to ask how you’d feel about these scenarios at work?

98 replies

Merryoldgoat · 11/06/2020 17:14

I’m lucky. My job has largely been unaffected by Covid in a material way and this is the same for our entire workforce. No redundancies, no pay cuts or unmanageable workloads etc.

Our board want to give some bonuses in recognition of the extra work people have done plus a 1% bonus to everyone.

I think this is nice, will be well received and will give people a boost

They’re arguing about how it will be viewed if someone who was on furlough gets the same as someone who worked throughout.

I say I don’t think it matters - it’s a nice gesture, a small amount and everyone is getting something but am I being naive?

Obviously money matters but I’m frankly just glad I’ve got a safe job, decent salary and flexible employers.

How would you receive this news if your employer did this?

OP posts:

bombaychef · 11/06/2020 23:52

As some one who has had to work FT with DH working FT and two DC at home Id be furious if furlough staff got a bonus. It's been living hell for 3 months. I'd love for one of us to be off home schooling the kids

bombaychef · 11/06/2020 23:55

Everyone I know (loads) who has been furlough has enjoyed a 3 month break with the kids or on own. Loads of DIY, fitness, hobbies, home Ed.
Two parents working and kids no homeschooling is hellish

Lancrelady80 · 12/06/2020 00:03

@Merryoldgoat

I’m lucky. My job has largely been unaffected by Covid in a material way and this is the same for our entire workforce. No redundancies, no pay cuts or unmanageable workloads etc.

Our board want to give some bonuses in recognition of the extra work people have done plus a 1% bonus to everyone.

I think this is nice, will be well received and will give people a boost

They’re arguing about how it will be viewed if someone who was on furlough gets the same as someone who worked throughout.

I say I don’t think it matters - it’s a nice gesture, a small amount and everyone is getting something but am I being naive?

Obviously money matters but I’m frankly just glad I’ve got a safe job, decent salary and flexible employers.

How would you receive this news if your employer did this?

Royal Mail have done this. £200 (before tax) lump sum, pro-rataed for absence to workers between two dates. Had to self-isolate for a fortnight due to son's illness (before tests were available) then was ill himself for 3 weeks with what we are pretty sure was it. So didn't receive a penny.

What he DID receive was an absence warning as it was deemed excessive "the government steer is an absence of 7 days, you were absent significantly more so therefore excessive." Never mind that he still had a temp on day 14 and could hardly move for most of that time, and that government guidance clearly states 7 days is SELF-ISOLATION, to continue until fever is gone, not anything to do with actual expected length of illness.

Lancrelady80 · 12/06/2020 00:05

Sorry, went off on a tangent!

I would say fairest is a bonus to everyone and then those who have continued working get an additional amount. (But not if those furloughed weren't topped up to 100%...if they have already lost £ due to furlough, that would be an extra kick that they did nothing to deserve.)

tiptoe22 · 12/06/2020 00:31

Be careful OP. If anyone is on furlough due to childcare, or caring, or shielding and you don't reward them with a company bonus that could be discriminatory. It's very unclear at the moment and it sounds like you have no clear policy on this.

For what it's worth, I would pay everyone the bonus. If the company is going well then why not reward everyone for their loyalty throughout the whole year, not just these few months.

Seems mean to skip a few people.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 12/06/2020 09:31

Sorry - I don’t think I’m being clear.

Everyone WILL get a reward. I just wanted to see how it would be received. The board made all decisions regarding who would be furloughed for operational reasons.

Childcare etc has been dealt with in other ways (flexibility, wfh, reduced hours/responsibilities but same pay etc) as has caring responsibilities.

It seems like the best option is flat rate to all and then discretionary bonus to people who have gone above and beyond.

Thank you everyone - this has helped me crystallise my thoughts which I can voice at my meeting later today.

OP posts:

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 12/06/2020 09:37

@Lancrelady80

Your DH/DP was treated appallingly.

I have said previously but all furloughed staff (a very small number) were topped up and no one is on furlough now as business wide we didn’t need the funds any longer.

OP posts:

Spied · 12/06/2020 09:40

The ones who have been in work definitely need an extra bonus.
I'd be mighty peeved if furloughed colleagues got the same as me after I'd put myself at risk physically going into work and juggled my life/ childcare so I could get in to work.

HeronLanyon · 12/06/2020 09:41

Treat all the same. Those furloughed may not have asked or wanted to be and certainly wouldn’t have realised it would also mean losing a bonus.
This who have worked throughout - you’ve been paid so best to try not to see furloughed as ‘having a holiday etc’. Furloughed will have spent this time worried about their own job security etc.

Spied · 12/06/2020 09:41

Especially as the furloughed we're also 'topped-up'.

Spied · 12/06/2020 09:41

Were

Griselda1 · 12/06/2020 09:49

These sort of issues have been so divisive in our workplace, extra annual leave and bonuses have been part of our potential package. A few of those who weren't furloughed have complained that those who have continue to accrue annual leave. Furloughing has created a really difficult culture and because our interviews are competency based there's going to be implications for many of us. Those who weren't furloughed are very proud of the competencies they developed and planning their next steps.

Gordonsgrin · 12/06/2020 10:05

Off track but want to say OP, your company sound lovely. How refreshing to hear that some are treating staff so well. I would be proud to work along you and your colleagues!

Unless I have misread the situation of course!

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 12/06/2020 10:14

@Gordonsgrin

Thank you - I have to agree that it’s a very nice place to work. The culture is kind and fair, we all feel valued and are able to voice our opinions without repercussion (not offensive opinions obviously!)

There is a new board and they are very committed to employee welfare. No one has been forced to come in and the CEO sent an email after the ‘back to work’ announcement saying that we should avoid being in the office where possible and home working is encouraged as long as possible. They have also provided PPE, new working locations within the building and laptops for everyone who needs one.

We are lucky - we have good reserves and have not been as affected as many but it doesn’t feel like decisions are motivated by greed.

OP posts:

Saz12 · 12/06/2020 10:41

Sounds like a great employer!

I’m furloughed and would be embarrassed to receive a bonus.

AlwaysCheddar · 13/06/2020 07:52

If HMRC audit the company and see you have given bonuses, they may claim back furlough money as they can check your accounts.

Russell19 · 13/06/2020 07:59

Seems unfair for people to have been furloughed by the board when they may have been more than willing to work then also miss out on a bonus. It's been taken out of their hands, for them to lose out financially would be a kick in the teeth.

Don't know wht there's feelings of resentment to furloughed workers, it's not their choice.

HellloBambinos · 13/06/2020 08:09

Something similar has happened in my office OP.

Our management has announced that everyone will get the same pay rise and bonus this year and they have said our end of year performance reports won't be necessary.

I'm pleased as I didn't think we would be getting anything this year due to Covid, but I have worked hard this year and was on track for a high end of year score so it sucks a little bit to be treated the same as someone who has done the bare minimum or even less. But I think it's worth it to keep morale up in these weird times, especially if it's not huge sums of money.

cologne4711 · 13/06/2020 08:10

I am really stunned at how much people resent those who have been furloughed. Unless they asked to be furloughed for childcare or shielding reasons, it was forced on them.

I have worked throughout this crisis though I had my hours reduced. I have always considered myself to the lucky one despite reduced hours because at least I have had a job.

If HMRC audit the company and see you have given bonuses, they may claim back furlough money as they can check your accounts

I don't think that's the reason for the audit, it's to make sure they were genuinely furloughed. Although I agree to an extent, if you've taken all that taxpayer cash, maybe you shouldn't be giving out bonuses.

But if you do, definitely no distinction between furloughed and working and if those who've kept working snipe, I'd be having harsh words.

Ohffs66 · 13/06/2020 08:12

The only two people who were furloughed in my team were people who had no work to do; we all do slightly different jobs and as theirs are related to events and no events happening, it made sense for them to be furloughed. It has made no impact on my workload at all, and as soon as it became obvious it was impacting another team members workload due to something specific that arose, one of the furloughed people was brought back for 3 weeks to assist then furloughed again.

Both the furloughed people were really upset and I know one is really worried about her job security. I would not begrudge them any kind of bonus! However if for example them being furloughed had meant I'd had to take on their work and do extra hours etc (which in theory shouldn't have happened as surely furlough was only meant to be used where there was no work for people?!), I might feel differently I guess.

Sandybval · 13/06/2020 08:14

You won't win either way, to be honest giving bonuses when this is the case is usually counterproductive and causes more resentment. If I had not been furloughed I would be annoyed that someone who had been at home getting paid and not doing any work was getting the same; if I had been furloughed I would be upset at missing out because it probably wasnt my choice. Also can't quite compute taking tax payers money and then dishing out bonuses.

Wecandothis99 · 13/06/2020 08:44

If they've only had 80% pay I think they too deserve it. They may be struggling financially and would have given anything to do the "extra work"

dontdisturbmenow · 13/06/2020 08:50

Of course those who worked through should get more of a bonus. How could anyone think differently?

Maybe .5% of those furlough, 1.5% for those who worked though.

StealthPolarBear · 13/06/2020 08:58

Zaphodsotherhead I'm really pleased to hear that about Co op. As an outsider it's always looked like a good place to work.

BikeRunSki · 13/06/2020 08:58

I’d be pissed off too. I’ve done my full hours around homeschooling and havn’t missed a beat. I’m delivering critical national infrastructure works and walk told very early in that these were not to stop. The furloughed may not have chosen to be furloughed, but I didn’t chose to homeschool. I’m working 12-15 hours a day and I’m on my knees. Hell yes I’d be annoyed if my efforts were recognised the same as those in furlough.

Flip

1 2 3 4