To think you probably haven’t actually been furloughed?!

[Foliageeverywhere122]

Have an acquaintance who is one of this people who just constantly lies. About little things, nothing damaging, but like about her own life. Stuff like a books she’s writing that’s just been published (never materialised) or being an extra in a film. Really random stuff. Single, no kids.

The latest, that for some reason, really made think WHY is about her work. She has a PGCE and had been a teacher but hasn’t worked for around 5 years, focussed on other projects. Right before COVID she signed up to a supply teaching agency and unfortunately due to the timing only got a couple of weeks in before lockdown happened.

Since then, she’s been posting all on social media about how it’s so hard being a furloughed teacher, so great she’s still being paid for her commitment but she can’t wait to get back to the kids.

AIB bonkers to think a supply agency wouldn’t have kept temp staff on like this? I know IABU to even care!

Incidentally, what is like being a supply teacher right now??

She might have a contract with a supply agency, under a guaranteed income scheme. Then I suppose it’s possible she could be furloughed from this. I don’t know anyone who’s with an agency at the moment or I’d ask them!

If she was on the payroll by the cutoff date then yes, the agency could have furloughed her. Nowt to do with length of service, everything to do with whether she had a live assignment before lockdown....But why are you friends with her if you dont rate her?

I'm a teacher and I have a friend who is furloughed from an agency

I am supply and furloughed. It's zero hours so my furlough is averaged income. Same for anyone on zero hours. Why wouldn't they pay furlough? Doesn't cost them anything and they need workers when schools go back. Supply agency's are crying out for more staff.

I am supply and furloughed. It's zero hours so my furlough is averaged income. Same for anyone on zero hours. Why wouldn't they pay furlough? Doesn't cost them anything and they need workers when schools go back. Supply agency's are crying out for more staff.

Ok I stand corrected! (And glad you all remained employed)

She’s an acquaintance, so my DFs childhood friend. I personally would drift away but she keeps the tie there

Are you sure that she is lying about anything at all?

I am a very boring person, but I have been an extra in a film. It was about a ballerina. I was 14. My friend who was also an extra was 14. Neither of us had done ballet and we were supposed to be ballet dancers warming up. We had not a clue what to do and giggled a lot but they must have been desperate as we appeared in the film. In the distance.

Lots of people write books and some self publish, and write under a pseudonym, why would you think she is lying? Possibly she just didn't want you to read the book? A lot of yourself goes into it, and some of it isn't going to be stuff you want people who are friends of friends knowing.

Is she definitely lying about the other stuff, though?

I acted for ten years, small TV roles and extra work, then focused on writing for about 4 before moving on to a more sensible job. So in conversation both could realistically come up. I could provide the tapes or the paperback, though, if people wanted proof... I mean, I'm not saying she's not lying, maybe she is, but she might not be. These things aren't out of the realms of possibility. She might just have done a bunch of stuff.

The book might have been about you. You might want to get to the bookshop and buy up everything published since she said it was published and read them all just in case.

Info all from DF who’s known her since childhood! She’s admitted to lying to her about both those things... Lots of other examples where she hasn’t kept her story straight also.

Unless my friend is actually the compulsive liar 👀

To be furloughed didn't you have to be employed on a certain date? So she could technically be furloughed if she was working then, however she won't be actually receiving any money.

Agency staff are paid the higher of either, 80% of the same pay period last year, or an average of last years earnings, whichever is highest.

Another bullshiter

You had to have physically been paid by the 28th Feb or else you are stuffed (like me). God knows why she would lie though.

I know someone who did about 3 weeks with an agency teaching, and has been furloughed. It's not much but more than she would have got on JSA.

my dd worked for a summer event for a few summers and although she hadnt worked there this year they put her on furlough because she usually does. but it was late coming.

I’m a supply teacher and furloughed. I’d been on a long term placement from Feb with the agency that furloughed me - previously had a placement with different agency. Therefore the agency paying my furlough now has worked out the average and it’s very low because not all my work is with them if that makes sense?

So I’m getting less than I would on JSA. It’s fine though as luckily DH has been in full time work throughout and we’ve managed, but obviously it’s been a bit of a struggle. I’m about to start maternity leave and qualify for SMP, previously I worried how we’d manage on just that (and so had been saving like mad whilst I was still earning) - now it seems like veritable riches!

@Foliageeverywhere122 why wouldn't they keep the temp staff in and covered until it was time to go back?

Furlough doesnt cost them anything and Education was always going to be a priority and supply staff are going to be, one assumes, in high demand in September due to staff shortages.

Whether your friend has is another matter