Another Furlough one...

[mommydragon]

For those working, while their colleagues on exactly same pay scale, position and grade are on Furlough until end of October. How do you stay positive and motivated? In my case, it has been made very clear to me that it is because I am more dedicated and show more initiative than they do. So in a way they are being rewarded for say their lack of initiative? I have 2 primary aged Dc at home. I am finding in really hard to not have bitter feelings towards my furloughed colleagues. Share your thoughts please. Manager had tried to sell it to me in a way that incase there are redundancies, I will be safe... but to be honest, given the nature of our business, redundancies are highly unlikely. I know that there are a lot of people out there without work who would be grateful to be in my position work wise. And I am very grateful that I have work. But just can't help feeling bitter as indeed there are issues with colleagues' attitude towards work.

I’ve been on furlough since March. It wasn’t my choice and I did not ask for it. I have two kids under 5 at home and can only say that it really is not easy. It actually upsets me thinking that my colleagues who are still working might have bitter feelings towards me only because I was put on furlough. I don’t even know whether I will have a job to go back to..

I don't know anyone who has been furloughed, but I know lots of people who are 'working from home' but actually doing sweet FA. I'm working longer hours than I have ever done!

This isn’t about furlough, is it? It’s about feeling bitter about your workload.

,furloughed but company topping up pay to 100%. To b honest I feel guilty as hell getting paid to stay at home, it played havoc with my mental health at the beginning. I’ve always worked so it’s been an odd experience. Dying to get back to work.

My husband company have furloughed 60% and then given the rest working from home a 15% pay cut despite him being up to his eyeballs in work.

Same here @buttybach DH was offered furlough but chose to stay working and then had his pay cut by 20%.

Trust me OP being furloughed is a fucking horrible great kick in the teeth. It makes you feel like a useless sack of shit. Does that make you feel better?
My mental health took a massive hit for the 8 weeks I was furloughed. I questioned everything, felt completely unwanted and out of the loop from my team, who I had always got on really well with. I’m back WFH now and am much better for it.

I was furloughed compulsorily. I had 3 hours notice and was told I wouldn’t be able to be in touch or login to keep up with emails at all. I did not have a choice. I had to suddenly change from being a working person to a full time stay at home parent of three small children, two of which had to be home schooled. All now my job alone and no longer shared with my husband who carried on working full time. He admits it’s enjoyable working peacefully in a quiet room while I manage the kids dawn till dusk alone. It’s really not easy. Not through choice I have probably got to top of redundancy list.
And luckily the Sunday before I was furloughed I worked all day, no idea at that point I’d be furloughed, just because I’m dedicated and show initiative. So at least I left my work in a good state although no doubt that won’t be remembered.
Furlough is pretty shit honestly.

Agree with the others that furlough is rubbish, if that makes you feel any better. I've spent the last 4 months worried sick. I've just lost my job and now we have to put up our house for sale. I hated not being able to do my job. I can understand it could feel unfair, but the alternative is worse.

I am working however people who do the same role are furloughed as their area of the business has had drop off in work. However generally the business is trying to phase out this role so everyone will probably be redundant whether furloughed or not

I’m pissed off that so many people think that being furloughed is like a holiday and we’re all having a great time. As pp have said mental health is not great for some, no structure, no clear goals for the day. No idea whether you’ll have a job to go back to.

Can we stop making this a fucking competition. There may be some people who having a great time (either working or furloughed) but for many many more it’s all just shit

I would be really annoyed in your position OP. You are working for your money and they aren’t. Whether or not they are having a ‘nice time’ at home or not is irrelevant.

Agree with all said above, furlough is shit. Makes you feel useless and like your job is totally worthless. No routine, sitting wondering every day if you will still have a job to go back to. Constant worry about the chances of finding a new job if you get made redundant. Worry about how to pay bills and put food on the table. I would give my right arm to be able to work from home or still go into work but unfortunately it is not possible. None of us asked to go on furlough, this isn’t a holiday. This is the most uncertain and stressful period of my entire life. Maybe try being a bit more grateful for what you have op

Your risk of redundancy is probably lower than your furloughed colleagues’.

Why do you think there won’t be redundancies?

I can see both points of view to be honest but I really think you're in a much better position op. I've worked all the way through, self employed so no option not to but it would have sent me mad being at home all this time. Don't get me wrong, sometimes Ive been envious of people who've blitzed their gardens or redecorated their houses whilst off but that's only a tiny part of it.

I do have sympathy with your position, but it is shit all round. I do feel that if working employees have been picking up the slack for those off on furlough for so long then there should be some financial compensation. I know many employers have been making up 80% furlough payment to 100% but IMHO that 20% (after the first couple of months) should have been swept into a pot and redistributed as a bonus to those who have worked throughout when we hit the 6 month mark.

@Youngatheart00 Or give the non furloughed an extra 10 days paid holiday. My non furloughed friends desperately need a break. 3 of the wfh have been signed off with stress. Everyone has suffered in some way.

"Share your thoughts" in other words you want people to come along and furlough bash with you.

I'm furloughed and it isn't a "reward". Chances are I won't have a job when the scheme ends. Hope that makes you feel better.

My work ran a rotation scheme for furlough. It's fairer that way.

I think a rotation scheme is a bad idea as then people spend ages catching up on emails and new procedures each time.

So ill admit it im jealous of my furloghed colleagues, espe ially now things hhave been relaxed, i know one of them has booked a holiday to Spain in a few weeks...nice...they are all on 100% pay whilst i and my colleagues slog away every day. Weve also been told they wont be back until October. If my company make any redundancies then we are all in the same pot, it wont be the case that those that are furloughed go first so potentially weve worked throughout and can still get the boot.

My DH was first back to work and due to them stopping overtime and bonuses he was on less (I'm talking £800 a month) than those who were at home on furlough. That is unfair. However, we were happy with the fact his job is secure. I'm on furlough and have been for 3 months. The first 6 weeks I'd say were ok but now I'm desperate to go back. Please don't think everyone on furlough is having a jolly. We haven't asked to be in this position and I believe most of us would rather be working.

OP - you say that those on furlough are on the same 'pay scale' but are they actually on full pay at the moment? I think it's important to differentiate otherwise it's unfair to those still working, and I can see how that would cause resentment, especially if those not on furlough are having to do more work. Where I work furloughed staff receive 80% of their normal salary (not capped).

But being furloughed is no picnic. I was for 6 weeks and it really does feel like a kick in the teeth, even though objectively you can see the rationale for it. You feel undervalued('why me not them?'), cut adrift, isolated and without any sense of purpose. Everyone I know on furlough feels the same. Every time a colleague is unfurloughed and I ask them if they're glad to be back, their relief and enthusiasm is very obvious.

So the majority of people on furlough are expecting to be made redundant? Is that really the case?
I agree that some firms may restructure when the scheme ends but many will need the same number of workers as before when things open up again.
Those that are convinced they are going to be made redundant- why do you think that?