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Original poster

Friend said DH is abusing furlough

662 replies

amy198820 · 28/12/2020 17:09

DH been on furlough from 2 jobs since March (one full time job and one part time job he does one evening a week). He has been back to work on and off since the summer and is now on the flexi furlough scheme and both jobs have topped his pay to 100%. Since the tier 4 announcement he has been put back on furlough completely.

As tier 4 is looking like it will continue through Jan/Feb, and so unlikely he will be going back anytime soon DH had applied for another job to keep him busy rather than sit at home. DH found out before Christmas he has got the job and he has made this new employer aware that this job will just be a fill in whilst he is on furlough and the employer has accepted this and are happy to take him on. (its a friend of a friend type thing)

Spoke with my friend and earlier and told her about DH's new temporary position explaining that its better than him sitting at home all day /gives him something to do until all this passes etc. My friend took umbrage with this and said that we are abusing the system and that this isnt what the scheme was designed for. I didn't really know what to say and so said sorry she was offended and would speak to her later on.

For background before anyone says anything, I was not being insensitive, my friend has not suffered financially due to COVID as she has been working from home continuously throughout.

I want to call my friend back soon as to not let the bad feeling grow. How would you suggest I approach this? I do not think we are doing anything wrong, just trying to get through this pandemic and doing the best for our family as would anyone else.

OP posts:
Cakeandcustard123 · 28/12/2020 17:13

She's right thought isn't she 🤷🏻‍♀️

KylieKoKo · 28/12/2020 17:13

People are weird about furlough. I remember a thread on here lambasting people who were furloghed in the summer for using their gardens. They should have been inside with the curtains drawn so as not to enjoy the sunshine ....

I would ignore your friend.

2020quelhorreur · 28/12/2020 17:14

Ummmm. I’m not clear why you expect us as taxpayers to be thrilled your husband is rinsing the system?

Original poster
amy198820 · 28/12/2020 17:15

@Cakeandcustard123

She's right thought isn't she 🤷🏻‍♀️
What do you suggest my DH do instead? Just sit at home?
OP posts:
VettiyaIruken · 28/12/2020 17:15

Is he abusing it?

AntiHop · 28/12/2020 17:15

So will he still be receiving furlough pay whilst working in the new job?

slipperywhensparticus · 28/12/2020 17:15

Your allowed to go out to work ffs most companies will be making redundancies when furlough ends

2020quelhorreur · 28/12/2020 17:15

He could volunteer? He could do something that helps the community?

TravelGem · 28/12/2020 17:16

Maybe he could get a job volunteering instead of being paid and receiving tax payers money.... that's if he really wants to help out

ItWasntMyFault · 28/12/2020 17:16

It's totally fine, he's not breaking any rules so I don't see the issue.
The fact it's for a mate probably means he's not doing anyone out of a job anyway as if the mate wanted someone permanent he wouldn't give the job to your DH knowing he has another job would he.

nicknamehelp · 28/12/2020 17:16

I don't think this is actually allowed under scheme rules.

Ohalrightthen · 28/12/2020 17:16

Yeah, I'm with her. He's getting 100% of his usual salary and he wants to get another job on top of that, a job that he doesnt need but some other poor sucker probably desperately does?

Yeah, that's really shitty IMO.

Original poster
amy198820 · 28/12/2020 17:16

@2020quelhorreur

Ummmm. I’m not clear why you expect us as taxpayers to be thrilled your husband is rinsing the system?
We have both been tax payers for 15+ years, so have put in a lot more than taken out
OP posts:
Okki · 28/12/2020 17:17

I think the thing is he is accepting a salary on top of his normal salary is the problem. If he wants something to do as opposed to getting more money there could be volunteer work he could do. Or tell one of his employers he doesn't need his salary topping up to 100% as he's found some temporary work.

2020quelhorreur · 28/12/2020 17:17

I do find it interesting that the idea that he could volunteer genuinely doesn’t appear to have occurred to you or your husband.

KylieKoKo · 28/12/2020 17:17

You can work while furloghed if your company allows it. It's perfectly legal.

Mylittleturkeysandwich · 28/12/2020 17:18

Has he informed his current employers of his new job? I'd have to do that if I took a new job on furlough. I don't think it's in the spirit of the scheme to be fair, if it's actually allowed I couldn't tell you.

Shaniac · 28/12/2020 17:18

Im also got furlough for 2 part time jobs (not my fault they add up to a full time role together) and people think thats wrong. However i do see your friends point that he is getting government money from 2 jobs which he is entitled to what £2000 each? depending on pay and is taking on a 3rd job he will be paid for. Out of curiosity why does he have a part time job when he already has a full time job? Thats unusual.

Okki · 28/12/2020 17:18

And if you have children and have used the NHS regularly, you very possibly haven't put more in than you've taken out either.

AaronPurr · 28/12/2020 17:18

I can see why your friend would be annoyed by your DH behaviour. He's on full pay from 2 jobs, and only got this one because he's bored. His new job could have really helped one of the many others who are struggling having lost there job. If he's bored why not volunteer?

wherethewildthingis · 28/12/2020 17:18

I haven't suffered financially due to covid, I've worked continuously either from home or in my usual job. Every person I know who's been furloughed has gained however. Either by working cash in hand or taking on a legitimate second job. I was absolutely shocked to learn it's perfectly legal to work while on furlough and keep the furlough money. I currently know someone doing this while earning 150 pounds a day working for amazon. So yes it is rather annoying to the rest of us OP who don't have the option to earn effectively a double wage, but still have to pay out for furlough.

Shaniac · 28/12/2020 17:19

Saying that its perfectly legal and if thats what is best for your family do you really care what your friend thinks.

NotDavidTennant · 28/12/2020 17:20

I wouldn't have thought this would be allowed, but it looks like it is:

"If you want to get another job while you're furloughed

You can work somewhere else if your contract with your current employer lets you. Getting a new job won’t affect your furlough pay.

If you get a new job, you should make sure:

you can go back to work for the employer who furloughed you when they decide to bring you back
your new employer gives you the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) starter checklist form - you’ll need to complete Statement C"

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/coronavirus-being-furloughed-if-you-cant-work/

EagleFlight · 28/12/2020 17:20

@Ohalrightthen

Yeah, I'm with her. He's getting 100% of his usual salary and he wants to get another job on top of that, a job that he doesnt need but some other poor sucker probably desperately does?

Yeah, that's really shitty IMO.

This would be how I would view it as well. I’d imagine no matter what you say, your friend will always view you very differently now (that’s assuming your friendship survives).
Chilver · 28/12/2020 17:20

So, he's getting paid his full salary from the companies thst furlough him AND is getting a salary from a new company?

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