Better to WFH or be furloughed?

[Helmlover1]

First of all, I don’t want to sound ungrateful as I know in this current climate I’m so lucky to still have a job but I wouldn’t mind other people’s opinions on my current situation.

So I’ve been asked by my company to WFH for the duration of this uncertain period (however long this may be) whilst most of my other colleagues who do the same job have been furloughed.

Now I don’t know who’s got the better deal as I’ll still be working full time hours while my other colleagues are doing nothing and still getting 80% of their wage.

A few of them were boasting about it on social media earlier while I was sitting at my desk stressing (and doing their workload), and it just got me thinking..have I been given a raw deal or should I be glad I’m still working?

working is giving me structure keeping me sane and passing the time, so I'd personally rather be working. depends what job you're doing I guess?

Why have they been furloughed while you haven't? What's the logic behind it?

Personally, I think as many of us as possible should continue to work - the government scheme is there as a safety net, but for everyone who claims their 80% that's public money that the country will have to pay back. It's not "free money".

But, yes, it seems unfair for you to be the only one working, unless there's more to the story.

Take it as a positive. Employees who are furloughed can still be made redundant whilst on it.

Check out the Government website where they say this. Being furloughed does not mean there will be a job at the end of it.

I would take it as a positive that out of all the employees, your Employer wants to keep you.

www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Of course you should work. It shouldn’t be about getting a better deal or free money from the government.

My husband is possibly looking at being in the opposite position to you.

His job could possibly be done at home, but his work is well aware that he has 2 small children at home. They have said if it comes to it, he and others with small children will be furloughed, and those without will work from home. My husband would rather stay working. He doesn't want to lose 20% of his wage and he also doesn't want the possibility for his work to think that the team can run smoothly with less staff.

I don't know what the answer is

I give up on this nation.

You’ve got a JOB at a point when tens of thousands haven’t.

FFFFFFFFS.

Are you struggling to manage childcare and WFH, OP?

You’re in the better position. Lots of those furloughed won’t have jobs to go back to at the end of this.

I’m devastated to have been furloughed. I’m well aware that I could be made redundant now especially if there is another round of furloughs. I’ve been with the company 16 years, those not furloughed have been there less than 6 months.

In my case, those who’ve been furloughed are those the HoD inherited. I don’t think I’m going back and it makes me so sad.

Definitely WFH, my DH took this option as soon as it came up, loads at his work have now been furloughed and management have advised that redundancies are likely.

The furloughed and probation staff will be first on the chopping block

I WFH as my company told us to go home last week

It’s not brilliant but I am adapting fast plus it keeps me sane as this is not a short term thing as I still feel I am doing my job

Furloughed means you are on unpaid leave I think but I stand to be corrected

Take the WFH.

If you’re struggling with homeschooling or caring etc as well as WFH then I see why you’d feel you were getting a raw deal. 80% sounds fine if you can cut non-essential costs (and no ones socialising & all events for foreseeable future are cancelled, so there’s money right there to economise) but honestly, if you’ve been kept in while others furloughed it means you are considered to be more valuable. More essential to operations. Take heart in that.

Definitely WFH. Your employer prefers you to do so than being furloughed.

I'm really surprised those boasting on FB who have been furloughed don't realise their job is precarious. If there are redundancies, they are likely first in line, not you. Take it as a compliment.

See, my colleagues are under the impression that they are all going to have jobs to go back to after this so are planning lies in, nice days sitting out in the garden, watching box sets etc. Like I said I’m very grateful I’ve still got a job (there wasn’t enough of a workload let everyone work from home), it’s just a bitter sweet feeling that I’m still going to be working all the hours under the sun for a measly amount more money.

I’ve been furloughed. From an overall point of view I would rather be working from home. But from a practical point of view being furloughed is easier right now as I have a child to look after whilst schools are closed. That said, I’m currently not being paid. I know the government are going to pay 80% of my wages under the job retention scheme but ...

1. that system hasn’t been set up yet
2. I don’t know if my employer qualifies for the scheme yet
3. how long will they pay my wages for? My letter says until end of May then it’s reviewed
4. if things are not “back to normal” in a few months, will I still get paid or will I I just lose my job

I know a few people who have been furloughed and see it as full /80% pay for staying at home not working. But true furloughed jobs are the most at risk. And no payments have been made yet. I’m not counting my chickens just yet.

I’ve been furloughed but all staff bar the directors have been. Hopefully we all have jobs to go back to and I know they are doing everything they can to make sure the company is still there when this is all over.
Our client are large multinationals in an industry that will do well out of the pandemic so once this is over and thier projects are started up again we should hopefully just be able to pick up where we left off.
Personally in my situation not working is the better option. I WFH last week with 3 kids of varying ages to also homeschool and it was a nightmare!

DH has been furloughed but he’s an agricultural structural engineer so can’t work from home, they have loads of work needing done so will be back to work once able

Jesus. I’ve been furloughed so it looks like I’m also facing redundancy by this thread. Please consider yourself lucky OP.

I’ve been WFH for 2 weeks. I’d much prefer to be furloughed, especially with the DC at home. My team have been talking about how the stress we’re feeling is manifesting physically: hair loss, migraines, insomnia, exhaustion, nightmares, messed up menstrual cycles. This is definitely a time for self-care.

Why hasn’t it been split so 2/3 of you share the work load?

I don’t think everyone who has been furloughed is facing certain redundancy though? I’m not particularly concerned for my DH anyway

GreenTulips- the company is struggling and I don’t think they could afford to keep more people on, that’s my understanding anyway.

I prefer to WFH because I'm getting bored out of my skull and I actually prefer to have something to do. My job can be done in a few hours a day and my partner is looking after the kids, so I'm actually fine with WFH. Most of my actual work is on hold so it's a sort of part time furlough for 100%, that's the way I'm thinking of it, best of both worlds!

Depends if u can afford to live on 80per cent of your wages