How many furloughed people do you think are working elsewhere?

[BigBreakfast]

And why is it allowed?

I was very pleased indeed when the scheme was announced, the government put much more help in place than I expected, albeit that they weren't able to cover every eventuality.

However, the cost is going to be huge and we'll be paying for it for a generation IMO, which is why I'm surprised there aren't more safeguards to stop it being abused. For example, it's perfectly legal to take another job while also receiving furlough pay.

This will, I'm sure, be more common in some industries than others, but DS has gone back to work at McDonalds today. Of 150 furloughed staff at their store, only 55 have declared themselves available for work. Some will be shielding and some will have childcare issues but he knows for a fact that several have taken similar work elsewhere, so effectively collecting two wages, one of which is being paid by the taxpayer.

I don't understand why this is allowed.

Sorry, I should have said, becuse of the restricted opening, they don't need all the staff in yet so those unavailable will stay on furlough.

On the whole very few, and some of those that are will be only working part time in a job that they already had. The biggest reason for absence at Mcdonalds in particular is likely to be parental opposition or a realisation that not being 'available' for work means continued furlough amongst younger employees who work solely for discretionary spending.

One the one hand it’s difficult that people may be receiving 2 payments, one of which is tax payer funded, on the other hand 20% income loss is too much for some and so are forced to make up the shortfall. It’s a tough one.

Not many because there aren't many jobs out there

You cannot work your normal working hours if you are forloughed. For example if you have a 9-5 Monday to Friday job you can only take a second job outside those hours and I assume at emergency tax as it would be counted as second income.

That’s not true- the government says you can work for another employer while on furlough. A furloughing employer can put it in your contract that you can’t work, but they may not do that.

It's probably a good thing that someone who is furloughed gets another job as anyone furloughed may lose their jobs. unemployment costs the state too.

I don’t know any! And I know a fair few who are furloughed.

It’s allowed because a 20% paycut (which equates to a lot more if you work in the restaurant or bar trade and also rely on your tips) is a big deal for a lot of people on minimum wage. It’s also good for the economy to have some furloughed people taking in alternative work, paying taxes, and fulfilling business demand which became apparent at the start of lockdown.

I can’t get too worked up about it. Most of those who are furloughed (particularly hospitality and retail) and have picked up extra work in supermarkets and delivery driving will be on zero hours contracts, will have no say in their hours and will be let go as soon as there’s no business need - at which point they’ll also very probably also be looking at redundancy from their main job. They aren’t exactly living the dream.

To answer your main question - I know a small handful of people who are doing it and all of them are pretty certain they’ll be unemployed by the end of the year due to the nature’s of the jobs they’re furloughed from (hospitality, events, the arts). They’re saving for what they assume is going to be at least part of 2021 trying to make ends meet on Universal Credit.

I'm amazed this is allowed to happen, if someone is furloughed why on earth don't they leave other jobs for others who have lost their jobs altogether?

Our contract does not permit staff to work a second job without receiving permission from employer. The rules of furlough permit a second job but only with permission from employer. I wonder for those that have second jobs and are on furlough there may be a request for repayment at a later date from the employee. I have no inside knowledge it is just a thought!

My dh is furloughed on full pay, he isn't one for sitting around so he has been cutting grass for people in the village, cutting hedges etc and taking scrap metal to the scrap yard. He has been collecting and dropping of pallets to people too. This week he made 130 for about 6 hours work. It's not much but he's chuffed to be doing things.

Because when furlough started there were many people (MNetters included), who all started moaning that those furloughed should be out doing something and not sat at home all day because "it's not faiiiiir". So off those furloughed went and got part-time jobs to top up their 80% wage. Now it seems that those furloughed shouldn't be working because it's "not faiiiiir". Bloody hell we can't win can we???

None

@trappedsincesundaymorn Indeed.

There are lots of people furloughed from one part time job but have another they aren't furloughed from.

I wouldn't blame anyone furloughed on 80% wages trying to pick up other work to make up the shortfall. But it's tricky because if you're furloughed you need to be able to return to work when required by your employer. There are exceptions where health issues and childcare issues are at play.

The reality for furloughed workers is increased likelihood of redundancy.

I'm furloughed and I'm not allowed to work elsewhere. My boss specifically told me on the day I was furloughed. I couldn't even if I was allowed, as I have no childcare.

Loads at Tesco. No overtime for permanent staff. The temps at our store are all on furlough. So not only are we my husbands 20% down on wages all my usual overtime has been taken by the furloughed. Not happy tbh. Hope everything picks up soon as I’ll be job hunting

So if people on furlough stay home they’re lazy, it if they work that’s not fair either.

I’m on furlough, I usually do some freelance writing work alongside my job (employer aware and happy) so I’ve been doing more of that. Great to be able to make up some of my lost income and try to save some for if I end up being made redundant.

I know several other also working on furlough. A few are ex NHS and have gone back to roles like ambulance call handling. Another is helping with fruit picking at a local farm. Can’t say I fault any of them. They all, like me, need to be available to be called back to their main employment with little notice.

I look for jobs everyday. The only ones locally for the last 3 month have been in care either in homes or visiting. Not sure what other work the furloughed would be doing unless they already had a second job or are doing care work.