To request flexible furlough

[Archie1989]

Happy new year!

Me and DH have a two year old son. He was just over one when everything kicked off with Covid. We both now work from home, and managed with no help, no furlough etc during the last nursery closures. I would work at every opportunity in shifts with my husband to do our work and parent our son. I had a pay cut, like most, but we were both very lucky to keep our jobs and be in jobs with some level of flexibility so I could work at any time. So I would get up and start work at 6.30am, plough through until 10am, then work through my sons nap time etc. It was exhausting.

We are in Scotland and nursery has closed again until at least 18th January. I don’t know how we will do it again as my son doesn’t sleep during the day much....I am also exhausted as he wakes every two hours at night (this was the case before too, but caffeine got me through). During the last lockdown I struggled to keep up with work, I could see colleagues getting frustrated and the odd comment about me being able to join conference calls. I used up so much annual leave just trying to get my timesheet productive and took unpaid leave where I needed to.

Our son’s grandparents haven’t seen us all for nearly a year, so I don’t want to use all my leave on work again....I want to save it to spend time with loved ones.

I am tempted to ask about flexible furlough this time. If it’s possible do what I can. I don’t know why, but I am scared to ask. Scared how it will be perceived and scared it will raise my head against the parapet for redundancy.

Any advice, comments welcome. I know I’m lucky to have my health and job. My mental health is struggling a bit.

Are your company asking for people to volunteer to go on furlough?
What is your partner doing to help?

I think unfortunately the furlough scheme isn’t there to support you needing a break and not being able to keep up with work sorry if that sounds harsh

You're entitled to ask, no one can tell you how your employer will view the request, I assume you know that they don't have agree. Apart from that I don't think there's much else to say

My partner has core hours he has to work, so we try and fit everything around then. In terms of childcare, he does what he can, but our son has meltdowns for him, and only I can comfort him at night...so it’s often easier for me to take on that. My partner does more housework than I do though

I worry that people (mostly women I’m sure) asking for childcare related furlough will be the first in line to go when redundancies happen. Why are you thinking of asking for furlough and not your husband?

Are you perhaps best seeing your gp first?

Is this what furlough is for?

@ForTheLoveOfCatFood it’s not for a break, it’s for there not being enough hours in the day to hold down our two jobs and raise a toddler

Sorry to sound harsh - That's not what furlough Is for. Yabu

Yes but that’s not what the furlough scene is for sadly

You can be furloughed for childcare but it's up to your employer whether they agree to furlough you. You'd be better off looking for advice on ACAS rather than people's opinions on MN, unless you want your home situation scrutinised.

@CeibaTree my husband’s company didn’t apply for it, so it’s not an option. I completely agree in terms of childcare furlough and redundancy. I had read about flexible furlough as a way of doing it part time. So you can work reduced hours, and you’re furloughed for some hours.

@ForTheLoveOfCatFood it’s actually listed as one of the reasons for furlough

@user1491404899 childcare is a listed reason for furlough

Is anyone else at your work on furlough? I only ask because I wasn’t aware that companies who are able to crack on and work were entitled to furlough? Isn’t it to help companies who are struggling and can’t pay staff etc? So if they are business as usual, I’m not sure they would even qualify? I may be wrong I’m no furlough expert just saying basically look into it before you ask as if they can’t anyway it’s pointless telling them and just shines a light on you which you don’t need. I would however tell them you fe colleagues are making digs and that you are trying you best but also have a 2 year old at home. I feel for you it is hard, hopefully it is just until 18th jan xx

For those saying childcare isn’t a reason

www.workingmums.co.uk/can-you-be-furloughed-if-you-cant-work-due-to-childcare-issues/

People saying "that's not what furlough is for" you're wrong. Advice in November was updated saying you CAN request furlough for childcare reasons, it is clear on the government website.

YANBU to ask. I will be doing this if primary school doesn't open next week, as I cannot work from home.

Sorry we cross posted, that’s good but if Childcare is listed as a furlough reason will they not apply once he’s due back on 18th jan? Or is it just the next two weeks your looking for, if that’s the case and you have looked into it you prob are already leaning towards your answer in your head! X

The company I work for did furlough most of our admin staff, which I didn’t agree with. They were then made redundant. I saw this as a money making exercise from the company, as there was work they could do. They instead pushed that work on the technical staff. We are now operating at 20% above our resource capacity. So less hours and more work :(

That all sounds very difficult,I think you should ask.I dont think I would be able to agree as an employer because we are very busy,and it would mean more work for everyone else, (mainly me )
Could you take unpaid leave

@ForTheLoveOfCatFood

I think unfortunately the furlough scheme isn’t there to support you needing a break and not being able to keep up with work sorry if that sounds harsh

Furlough can be used when there are childcare issues. Read up on it please.

@Sassysally12 I was hoping it could just be until nursery reopens, and only for part of my hours. Not a full time furlough, but about 20% of my hours during closures. I am sure this will go on much longer than jan 18th. I think I could cope if it’s just those few weeks....but it’s that it’s likely to go on for months

Yes they can furlough you as long as you were on their HMRC returns before 31 Oct last year - they have no obligation to furlough you though so although you ask, they don't have to say yes.

If they're not sure about the process or whether an employee can be furloughed to help support changes in childcare responsibilities then point them towards the Acas guidance
www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/furlough-scheme-pay

Be prepared for some challenge from your employer and make sure you've thought through your options carefully and can explain how you've explored options like changing your hours, sharing responsibilities with your DH etc. Also have a careful think about what you're going to do if they say no.

Technically being furloughed is in no way related to redundancy (so your employer would be hanging themselves out to dry if they said they were making you redundant because you'd been furloughed). I think though it would be mad to completely ignore the possible impact of showing that you can do the same job in less hours/with less staff so you do need to consider the knock on effects and also be prepared to think about how long this is sustainable for your employer and any colleagues who'd be picking up the slack.

If everyone is doing more work then they're able who's going to do your work when your flexi furloughed?

I don't see your company agreeing to it.

[quote Archie1989]@user1491404899 childcare is a listed reason for furlough[/quote]
Where?

It was possible originally but it isnt in the more recent guidance plus companies have to show that they have financially suffered (lower vat returns) or are closed (tier 3 or 4) and larger companies can't pay dividends if they have furloughed anyone.