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

@Redcherries I am tired, he was getting paid 60%, the extra job was making up the other 40%. Minimum wage plus shift/weekend allowances.

I totally understand what you are saying but most people probably aren't lying to employers to earn double their salary. I deal with people on furlough and their finances through my work, I have 25 clients on furlough and not one is doing loads of other work to double their money. The OP is talking about reduced hours etc so they are not trying to double their normal earnings from what I understand. My DH was taken on as a temporary worker in a supermarket, they knew he had a full time job to go back to, they werent offering him a full time job permanently. We couldn't have managed without that extra money so I totally stand by what DH did. He was actually made redundant in the end so thank goodness he had that other job.

@WitchesNStuff sorry, I think I’ve come across wrong, I’m glad you were able to make things work, I hate that people are suffering in any way from this bastard situation. I’m just shocked that whilst some are struggling there’s yet another loophole that means others are basically doubling their wage. It makes no sense to me that you have to have the go ahead from the initial employer but you don’t have to tell the second one either, I’m sure there will be companies disadvantaged by this when furlough ends and people return to their long standing jobs. Sadly I suppose there will be many people job hunting so I guess it balances out.

Surely your employment history will be declared on your CV or application form when you apply, so they would already know at interview??

Yep there will be companies disadvantaged but plenty that have taken the piss. My DHs company wanted to keep him on furlough for his notice period if he didn't find another full time job so they could claim the furlough money back then make him redundant. Totally opposite of what the job retention scheme is for. They are assholes though. I have a fair few friends who have had to work through their furlough. Mostly its companies I know that are taking the piss, not individuals.

I believe you do have to tell the 2nd employer once you receive your contract as it would usually be a contractual requirement. Not at interview though.

It made sense because when the scheme was introduced, there were shortage sectors such as agriculture and then care which is always struggling. For agriculture in particular there was a real concern they weren't going to be able to get the labour force to bring in the harvest due to covid. There were also supermarkets needing more workers all of a sudden, and again remember what a worry the food chain was in March.

Furloughed people not needed for caring responsibilities were potentially a large labour pool. So it would have been a really bad idea to disincentivise them taking jobs where needed by stopping their furlough pay if they did go and get a job as a fruit picker, carer or supermarket driver. It wasn't a loophole, it was a policy choice, and the correct one.

When I heard the policy on R4 it stuck out that you could get a job, they did say temporary though.

It made sense, in addition to point about fruit pickers etc there’s no guarantee furlough will not end with redundancy. It relies on demand picking up again. If someone wants to get more security or wage just in case it shouldn’t be stopped.

The point of furlough was to keep unemployment low the government would prefer if you were working than not if furlough ended in redundancy.

Contracts are hoe to protect yourself, with the initial contract and with notice periods you can bear for second employer.

I wouldn't if you're not lying it's just not telling them then you've not done anything wrong

Some excellent points, taken onboard. Interesting discussion.

Yes, many companies took the absolute piss, no denying that.

@Emeraldshamrock

They'll work it out from your NI number.

Your NI number is allocated at birth!

you can work for another employer while furloughed - it's only contractual obligations that might prevent you.
Gov.UK

I wouldn't mention it unless asked at interview - and maybe say that you understand the current employer is downsizing at the end of furlough period, rather than stating that you'll definitely be staying on.

ps - and best wishes for finding a new role