To just ask work outright what is going on?

[AskOrNoAsk]

Currently furloughed, supposedly until the end of July.

I've had absolutely no contact from my work other than when they sent me a letter extending furlough from end of June to end of July.

I've now heard (from colleagues) that lots of people have been asked back in next week, it seems me and just one or two others haven't been.

I know it's a possibility that I'll be made redundant and I've come to terms with that, I'm not overly fussed either way as we will manage. However AIBU to just want to know what is going on now? They are obviously having conversations as they are bringing lots of people back and I do not want to be told at the very last minute that I'm being made redundant. I want to know so I can start looking for something else if that's the case.

Of course it is also a possibility that they are just leaving certain people on furlough for as long as possible but again, I would appreciate some dialogue about what's happening and not hearing second hand from colleagues that everyone but me is going back.

AIBU to think it's pretty shitty of them not to have contacted me at all? I'm fortunate that being made redundant won't have a catastrophic effects on me but it will be hard and I just want some sort of conversation with them about what's happening.

My work is not one of the sectors that has been obviously affected by Covid, hospitality, leisure etc... In fact the people who have still been in have said it's been really busy still.

I think I would just drop a line to my line manager and ask them to call for an update meeting. Although you are not allowed to work on furlough, there is no rule against having a quick call.

Thanks. I've kind of not said anything so far as I know my managers have been busy and I didn't want to seem difficult or pushy. But they are obviously discussing things as people are going back.

I just don't want to find out at the last minute that I'm being made redundant when I could have spent this time looking for something else.

If they tell me they they are just bringing people back in stages and I'm one of the last ones or whatever then that is also fine but at least I won't have to spend the next few weeks wondering whilst all my colleagues talk about being back whilst I'm in the dark.

Don’t they have to give you formal notice of possible redundancy? So if for example they were thinking of making you redundant at beginning of August when they have to start contributing towards your furlough money, they should really be writing to you now informing you that redundancy may be a possibility.

That’s what my work have done yay!

I am working on the other side of this in HR in a business - it’s super complicated working out when people are coming back, aligning work etc. We have tried really hard to make sure everyone is kept up to date and have actually decided to have everyone back from 1 July even though not really enough work, because it’s fairer to people (didn’t like the idea of a few people still being on furlough when everyone else is back for the reasons you explain). However none of the decision making relates to potential redundancy at all, so it may not mean anything more. Just that people are juggling a million things, I know that doesn’t make it ok but wanted to give you that example in case it helps your worry at all.

Thank you shamoo.

I really do appreciate there will be a lot of stuff going on in the background which is why I've sort of kept quiet so far. I've not mithered anyone or complained I've just accepted furlough and waited to hear from them.

As you say, you've tried really hard to keep people up to date, however my work haven't done that at all. I know absolutely nothing other than a letter to say my furlough was extended from June to end of July, that's it. Not a single other message or phone call since I was furloughed in March.

And now to hear on a bloody work WhatsApp group that everyone else has gone back except me, it just feels shit. And I feel like I'm completely in the dark, like I'm just in limbo now.

I think the kindest thing to do would have been to call me when they were calling all the others to say they were asking some people back on X date but they are doing so in stages and I'd still be expected back end of July as planned, or that redundancy was a possibility, whichever it is because they must have discussed it.

@AskOrNoAsk - I should have said I definitely think it’s fine for you to ask, I wouldn’t think badly of anybody asking a question like that! Totally fair!