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Original poster

Anyone else that’s been furloughed - how do you feel?

103 replies

Sunbo · 26/03/2020 16:34

I was furloughed at the beginning of this week. My company is still running as about two thirds are WFH and the remaining third have been furloughed.

I am part time so just received an email from HR on my day off to inform me.

I get on well with my boss but have not heard anything from her (she is still working) ie a text or anything. I had access to my work emails on my mobile but they have since blocked this and changed my password, so now I feel completely out of the loop with company news etc. Almost makes me feel like I have done something wrong!

I am feeling quite down about it because I feel like they have furloughed the workers that they see as less important / more dispensable, in which case if things don’t improve in a few months then I think it’s likely the furloughed staff are the ones that would then be made redundant.

Just wondering how other furloughed workers feel when it’s not the whole company and just some workers that have been furloughed?

I know I am probably taking it too personally but just feeling very disheartened about it all.

OP posts:
Wonderingwhyme · 27/03/2020 12:21

Does anyone know how this will bite us in the arse further down the line? I’m presuming tax increases?

What implication does it have on employers? Do they have to pay us and claim it back?

LtJudyHopps · 27/03/2020 12:32

My company has said they are expecting to furlough 70% of staff - the remaining 30% will be asked to take a 20% pay cut. What an incentive to carry on working!! Stuck between a rock and a hard place - why would I want to work (WFH) while others get the same deal but get to have time off. On the other hand being stuck at home with nothing to do, my mental health will be so low.

DreamChaser23 · 27/03/2020 18:35

Just had a quick question regarding been furloughed? I heard during this period you cannot work for your employer? So that means a lot of workers will not work for their employer for the next 3 month if not longer depending if the scheme gets renewed after 3 months?

What about if someone wanted to work elsewhere during that period for a different employer? Would they be able to get their 80 percent from their old employee and wages from their new job as well?

Thanks

KaronAVyrus · 27/03/2020 18:45

HMRC will be able to tell so I wouldn’t have thought so. Volunteering would be fine.

Original poster
Sunbo · 27/03/2020 18:46

@DreamChaser23 no you can’t work for another employer if you are furloughed

OP posts:
Ks0708 · 27/03/2020 18:51

I've been furloughed, I'm pretty annoyed with what my company asked me to sign. It confirms if they don't get the grant for whatever reason, I have to pay them back. It also confirms if there's no work when the government scheme ends they retain the right to keep me and put me on unpaid layoff (instead of immediate refundancy). I've signed it but if either of those things happen I'll be financially screwed.

Original poster
Sunbo · 27/03/2020 18:55

Ks0708 - sounds very similar to me, hard to not feel annoyed/upset by it all :(

OP posts:
Ks0708 · 27/03/2020 19:00

I'm particularly annoyed about the unpaid layoff as this was never discussed with me, they just slipped it into the letter. I can only get out of the job with redundancy money if the unpaid layoff happens for 4 weeks in a row and then my understanding is that because I have to request the redundancy I don't get the notice period either. I'm really angry at that. I just hope they don't put me in that situation. It's taking advantage tbh when they know people will feel they have no choice but to sign. I'm not surprised that companies are covering themselves, but its terrible for employees

JHaniver · 27/03/2020 19:11

I’m currently being paid my full wage to be at home, but being furloughed on 80% from the end of the month. There’s only about a dozen of us at my workplace so only the directors are staying on. It’s not possible to do the job from home really. I just hope the company survives, there was plenty of business coming in, if we could be there to deal with it.

I love my job, and my colleagues. I’ve only been off since Monday and I’m already so low and missing my usual routine. I hope I can get it back. Sad

Original poster
Sunbo · 27/03/2020 19:12

Ks0708 I also felt under pressure to sign and agree to what they were proposing, if things go against me then I would probably get advice from an employment lawyer at that point

OP posts:
behindlocknumbernine · 27/03/2020 19:29

Dh has been furloughed. His company asked for volunteers. Dh is 52 and asthmatic.
We pulled out of our imminent house purchase and associated much higher mortgage and he volunteered.

We hope the company survives and there is a job for him to back to. Time will tell....

powershowerforanhour · 27/03/2020 19:34

also felt under pressure to sign and agree to what they were proposing, if things go against me then I would probably get advice from an employment lawyer at that point

Well we'll find out eventually what happens.

Oblomov20 · 27/03/2020 19:36

Wow. Surprised so many of you are already sorted! I don't know what's happening with our company.

SpeckledyHen · 27/03/2020 19:45

I’m on a PT contract due to finish in July . I was called by HR on Monday evening after Boris’ announcement and told not to go into work on Wednesday as they needed to cut numbers in the office . I was due to be one of a team of 5 /30 not WFH .
On Wednesday I received an email saying I was furloughed.
On Thursday I had a friendly call from my line manager to check I was ok and to see if I had any questions .
2 others in the team ( newest members) also furloughed along with a number people who were WFH.

I’m very pleased to have been treated the same as the permanent FT employees and not booted out .

MrsDevine89 · 27/03/2020 19:48

I am loosing half of my larhe department to furlough. Looking for volunteers first. Right up to management level.
My role is apparently not considered for furlough but i would like it to be as i have young dc at home.

Im worried about my industry. My organisation. Hopeful to have jobs at the end of it all...Sad

Lynda07 · 27/03/2020 19:53

This is such an uncertain time for you, I'm so sorry. No advice from me I'm afraid, no experience of anything like that and I'm retired.

My son is a musician, was touring Europe and suddenly all dates cancelled and he came home. He was due to go to America and Canada later in the year but that will probably be cancelled. He has a friend/singer staying with him who is an American and can't go home. Neither will be paid. They accept it and have been self isolating, both quite resourceful, doing some other work from home but it's difficult when you don't know how the bills will be paid.

Chin up. Just wanted you to know I feel for you. Have a glass of Wine if you have any. Good luck.

userxx · 27/03/2020 19:58

No advice but such tough times for all of us. One positive I can take from this is knowing so many of us are in the same boat, we understand the worry the empathy is genuine.

Nonotmenori · 27/03/2020 20:01

Yes I got furloughed today. I'm home based anyways, but work in sales. The whole sales team has been told the same. They've going to top us up so we're paid full pay next month, but will see how it goes after April. I'm gutted. I'm a vulnerable person so can only leave the house for hospital appointments. All I had was work, but it is what it is.

blue25 · 27/03/2020 20:09

Unfortunately I think a lot of those furloughed will find their services are no longer required pretty soon. Companies just won’t be able to keep on the same number of staff longterm.

Ks0708 · 27/03/2020 20:19

Thanks for the positivity! It simply depends how long it lasts - none of us know what's going to happen at this stage so proclamations of doom can maybe be saved for a couple of months time.

KaronAVyrus · 27/03/2020 20:23

That’s really helpful blue 🙄

Original poster
Sunbo · 27/03/2020 20:28

@blue25 obviously that is exactly what those of us that have been furloughed are now worried / stressed about...

OP posts:
Oaksquarebox · 27/03/2020 20:30

I was on Wednesday. Relieved actually as I’d have to take unpaid due to no childcare. If redundancy happens it does. It will give me about 5 months pay if we tighten our belts.

Our entire office has been furloughed.

TidaQuel · 27/03/2020 20:31

DH has been furloughed. At first they were talking about keeping on a skeleton crew but now decided to shut up completely for 3 months probably. Work is at a standstill. He would be one of the first back as matrix wise he would come out well.
But being furloughed, he should receive 80% of his salary. A few of his colleagues are looking to work also, thinking they’ll double their pay. Surely it won’t work like that? DH could pick up work but, he has a weak back and I’m concern at if he hurts it, he’ll not be able to work and may not get the furloughed pay either. Also, I’m wfh so to have him around to supervise dcs whilst I’m working is handy. And I’m these hard times, I’d rather someone took the work that has zero income and needs it more.

But surely you can’t get the 80% salary grant and work a full time job and be paid meaning you get both?

Devlesko · 27/03/2020 20:35

Me and dh have furloughed each other Grin I think, or so our accountant said.
80% will do, on top of tax credit.

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