Flexi Furlough

[redheadwitch]

Posted on Work thread but no responses so posting here for traffic

So my boss has asked me to go on flexible furlough; starting 2 hours later each day. I am a little quieter than normal but I wouldn't say I had noticed a drastic downturn in my workload. My boss has stated clearly that this is not him trying to review my contracted hours etc, its purely a way to save the company some money while things are tight. I can get onboard with all of that, I suppose. They are topping me up to 100% so on the outside this should be viewed as win-win for me; full pay and more time to myself. However, its made me feel very vulnerable and on edge. I am concerned that he will use this down the line (appraisal coming up next month) to suggest I cut my hours permanently. I wouldn't agree to such a thing as I need my salary to stay as is, so I can afford to live! But at the same time, can I say no?!

I already feel my role is undervalued in the company; I get paid significantly less than my predecessor and yet I have actually evolved the role to encompass far more duties. I should mention that I do work less hours (4 hours less per week) so I've never argued the point and for the most part I am happy to plod along as I enjoy my job in the whole.

Im a very efficient person. I can smash work out in a day that I know for a fact other employees would milk for two days. I think that has gone against me because they think that if I can work at that speed (which I reserve for tight deadlines and urgent work), that I should be going at 100mph constantly and minimise my paid hours. I dont think that is fair at all. If I had to work at that pace constantly it would lead to exhaustion and anxiety.

I suppose my question is, can they use this period of flexi furlough to justify a permanent change down the line? Even if I can argue that there hasnt been such a downturn in work to justify this? I know everyone who is furloughed is worried, I feel for you all. I know my role is required but I am concerned they are going to use this against me somewhere down the line to force changes to my contract.

They can change your hours with the appropriate notice regardless of having been on flexi furlough, so I would say technically yes.

He's explicitly stated this isn't his intent, so I think you'll have to take him at his word.

I would also make a point of reducing your output accordingly. Don't start at your normal time, start the 2 hours later, and work at your normal pace. If some things dont get done, that is to be expected if your working hours are reduced. They need to understand your value, but won't do that if you work extra hard to do say 35 hours work in 25 hours

@Angeldust747 Yes, I think thats a valid point. Thanks for your comment.

@Coolerthanapolarbearstoenails I understand that I should believe him because he has clearly stated it. I think if I had it in writing I would be more confident. Because of the dept. I work in, I know how he operates in terms of things he says to people vs the things that actually happen. Hence my concern.

As PP has said, as long as he isn’t expecting you do the same amount of work in less time. Your workload should be reduced accordingly

Hi Op, I agree that they can change your hours any-time so part furlough doesn't necessarily make it more likely but it may plant the idea. I think you definitely need to reduce your output accordingly. If they can get the same amount of work for less money then why wouldn't they?
Have they written to you to formally put you on flexible furlough?

Unless there is something that makes it possible in the employment contract, which would be unusual unless it is a zero hours contract, I strongly disagree that an employer can unilaterally change hours, no matter how much notice is given.

@RubyTuesdayBlues1 I have received a letter about the flexi furlough so thats all above board. My boss has mentioned that sometimes things may crop up that dont need to be dealt with right away aka just leave it and do it tomorrow. I cant understand how that would justify furlough; he is asking me to allow work to build up rather than just deal with things as they come in, as per normal working process. It feels like he is almost asking me to fabricate a bigger downturn in work so that he can get money for furlough. Yes, I am a little quieter than normal but not massively. If I start just letting tasks build up, I will be in this constant game of catch up. He wont really be aware of my output because for the most part I am left to my own devices (because I am efficient and work always gets done, so they dont tend to check up on me).

Exactly as above.
Furlough is an alternative to unnecessary redundancy due to the current situation
Partial furlough is you working partial hours and furloughed for the remainder

You should work to the appropriate level for the hours.

They can change your hours later, but the furlough is to cover for reduced business enabling them to not make you redundant and getting help from government to keep you

@tommika Do you think I am being unnecessarily paranoid then? Its very possible that I am. Can a company unilaterally change contracted hours without agreement?

Our company hasn't used the flexi furlough before, its all been straightforward full furlough for others. They've returned when things got back to normal. I suppose I am anxious that they are changing the way they do things for some other reason. I couldn't be fully furloughed as I have a critical role, so I am worried that there is some other plot in play. When there is probably not and Im causing myself worry over nothing.

I was furloughed for 5 months last year. My boss used it as an opportunity to change my working hours, unfortunately it's less hours than before and I now have to pay for childcare too so I've definitely lost out.

I'm now on flexi-furlough, working part of the week and furloughed on 80% pay for part of the week. I won't be at all surprised if the company either change my hours again or make me redundant.

It wont change how they'd have to go about changing your hours permanently. I dont think they're doing anything wrong/underhand. But you'd be sensible to take this as a sign that they may need to reduce your hours in the future if work doesn't pick up.

I can’t say that you’re being unnecessarily paranoid - I don’t know enough about the company and you

(((Just because a paranoid person thinks they are being followed all the time doesn’t mean that they might not get followed. They could be paranoid and right)))

On the face of it you are working ‘too much’.
The reason stated for reduced hours makes sense, and your manager has tried to reassure that it isn’t back door hours reductions.

When the furlough scheme ends then the time will come for the company to decide what to do -
does the work all come back and they get full business? - win, win - back up to full hours and no money worries
Doe the work not come back? They then decide whether your critical role goes up to full hours or keep to the lesser hours? Then possibly have the discussion that you cannot afford the reduction - and need the hours back or a pay rate increase

Try not to worry today, there’s no outcome to solve that other than you jumping to another job in case a reduction happens

If change comes later then deal with it when it’s known

Im a very efficient person. I can smash work out in a day that I know for a fact other employees would milk for two days.

lovely dig at your colleagues, there.

As for furlough: get everythng in writing. Also that since you're working 2 hours less that you'll manage less work and ask for priorities to be set

@redheadwitch
I am a little quieter than normal but I wouldn't say I had noticed a drastic downturn in my workload.
Sounds as though 2 hours less a day them will keep you at your usual equilibrium then.
It could mean restructuring the organisation in the future. But tbh, I think that most organisations will be reviewing structures in a post covid world. Covid will have thrown up strengths, weaknesses, greater effectiveness, etc. So I think that ultimately, we could all be at risk...