To not tell employers I’m furloughed elsewhere?

[Brokeaf]

Hi guys, hope someone can help!

I’ve worked for a small company for 5 years now and sadly Covid has had a huge effect on the business and I’ve been told to start looking elsewhere.
I’ve applied for lots of part time jobs just to keep me ticking over but my boss has said he’s happy to keep paying me furlough until it ends in October and then give me a very small payout or take me back on very reduced hours. (To work around any other PT job)

I know that legally I am able to work for another employer while furloughed but I wondered if I’d have to tell them at interviews? The job market is hard atm and I can’t really afford to take any chances as we live pay check to pay check.

Most of the jobs plus my furlough would only just take me over my usual (non furlough) wage. I’m not a high earner at all.

Thanks xx

Yeah I'd be telling the truth, there will be many others in the same situation.

Im inthe same position op and i do plan on telling any potential employers i am on furlough i think honesty is the best policy here

I’d imagine you’ll need to disclose it when it comes to payroll, but there’s no requirement to reveal it at interview stage.

Assuming these employers are registered with HMRC you need to tell them so that you pay the right amount of tax. Otherwise you may have a nasty shock further down the line.

No reason to reveal it at interview stage if not asked.

I wouldn't tell them unless you're specifically asked.

You actually can’t legally work for another employer during your usual hours for the job you’re furloughed from, FYI.

@Wolfff Payroll software now gives us tax codes to use for each individual employee as everything is in real time.

They'll work it out from your NI number.

@minicat

You actually can’t legally work for another employer during your usual hours for the job you’re furloughed from, FYI.

Yes you can!

You absolutely can take on another job whilst on furlough as long as your original employers dont demand you back before you start a new one. Same way you can take on a 2nd job whilst not on furlough.

I wouldn’t mention at interviews, but you obviously need to for payroll - you’ll be on a BR paycode initially and be paying 20% tax.

I think it seems to me to be something you need to disclose (the other job, not anything else).

Don't start a new job with something you want to conceal. It will make you feel a bit shit everyday, waiting to be exposed. If they don't ask, don't tell, but be honest if they do, for your sake.

Don’t say anything at the interview that will work against you getting the job.

By that I mean if you do mention it make sure it doesn’t sound like you’ll leave soon.

@Emeraldshamrock

They'll work it out from your NI number.

No they won't 😂

When you start any job, if you don't have your P45 then you need to do a P46 which will ask you whether you have worked this year, not worked this year or whether you already have another job. You just tick the other job, payroll may or may not take notice of the implication depends on how big the firm is and who does the payroll. Ie a payroll bureau won't care, but if it's a small firm and the owner does the payroll then they will notice.

You can take on another job but not in your contracted hours for the job you’re furloughed from. @RedDiamond @minicat

Why the fuck would the gov cover the bill to pay you on furlough so you can double your wage during normal contract hours.

No it’s not the government that says you can’t it’s down to your contract

What about working for another employer whilst furloughed?

The Government’s guidance confirms that an employee who has been furloughed from their current job can take on a new job, provided this is permitted by their contract of employment. For example, certain contracts of employment will provide that an employee must not work for another employer during the course of their employment with the organisation during working hours or without prior written consent.

Yup, I’m going to retract my comment above whilst I look into it. I’m an employer who was advised the above early on but I can’t find a legal source to support my comment, I don’t think the majority of links my search is finding tonight give enough detail. I would say though, as someone furloughed, I find it shocking that potentially I could keep myself furloughed and double my wage working elsewhere. (Yes, I’m the employer and furloughed, small company, 2 directors, I’m shielded so the tiny percentage of work we do have I can’t manage onsite)

You 100% can work another job whilst furloughed as long as your contract does not prevent otherwise.

I dont see any reason you need to declare it at interview. Like others have said only thing you will need to ensure is that you are paying enough tax.

also you are not necessarily doubling your wage by getting another job. My DH was furloughed and it worked out that due to the cap he was losing about 60% of his wages. He had to get another job whilst furloughed so we could afford our bills. He was working full time on minimum wage elsewhere and it wasn't quite making up the difference he was losing. It wasn't a money maker for us thats for sure!

Like others have said only thing you will need to ensure is that you are paying enough tax.

If you tick the correct box on the P46 form you will be paying the correct tax from day 1, if you don't then by the 2nd month of your new employment you will have the correct tax code.

PAYE is so instant nowadays, HMRC know how much you have earned this month on the day, if not before, you get paid.

I'm really surprised that you can take a second job while furloughed, effectively being paid twice. It doesn't seem in the intentions of the scheme, and seems pretty immoral.

@WitchesNStuff full time on minimum wage wouldn’t get even close to his annual salary if furlough paid 40% of his normal salary? It is still getting paid twice though, once for work you’re not doing and once for work you are. Im furloughed, I’ve no problem with people being furloughed, but if your husband got a job paying the same wage again (as apparently people can below a threshold- not saying your dh has) whilst the gov paid the initial salary it’s kinda not great. People will be in a position they’re making double wages and will leave one company in the lurch in the future.