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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:
Original poster
amy198820 · 28/12/2020 17:20

@2020quelhorreur

I do find it interesting that the idea that he could volunteer genuinely doesn’t appear to have occurred to you or your husband.
We have tried locally in our area to volunteer, no one has responded to us though.
OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/12/2020 17:21

No she isn't: she's wrong. He is allowed to take an another job. In fact, he can also work part time for the original employer, which wasn't allowed first time round.

If his original contract states he can't work for anyone else then he may need to speak to the employer which has furloughed him.

wherethewildthingis · 28/12/2020 17:21

Also, and this really aggravated me-public sector pay has now been frozen again for several years (having only just recently been unfrozen). According to the chancellor this is necessary in order to be fair towards those in the private sector. Those same people who have had the option to earn a full wage and receive 80% of their usual wage from the taxpayers, you mean?!

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 28/12/2020 17:21

So he's getting paid for three jobs at 100% but is only working one of them... Hmm I can see your friend's point OP. He wouldn't be able to do this new one presumably if he wasn't furloughed, so he's using the system to cash in. I don't know the rules well enough but surely that's not what furlough is for.

He knows about hobbies and/or volunteering, right?

OldLang · 28/12/2020 17:21

Well, she's right. Interesting how out for themselves so many have been shown to be during this.
Hope the extra money helps you both sleep soundly at night.

NiceTwin · 28/12/2020 17:21

Tell her to wind her neck in, there is nothing illegal about it.
Good on your dh for showing some initiative and doing something.

As long as his 3rd job employer is happy he will be up and leaving at short notice, I don't see the problem.

ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas · 28/12/2020 17:22

We have both been tax payers for 15+ years, so have put in a lot more than taken out
I wonder, I'm not sure of the cost of your delivery under the nhs, all childhood/up to now NHS appointments, your education, police contact etc etc.

DarceyDashwood · 28/12/2020 17:23

Rightly or wrongly it is allowed to have a second job if your employer agrees. So people saying he is abusing the system or rinsing the taxpayer are wrong.

The point of furlough is to keep jobs open for when the pandemic allows them to resume

If someone gets another job in the meantime then presumably it involves paying tax and contributing to the economy

People taking offence at this when it’s allowed is another example of people thinking they know the rules without actually bothering to check them out.

EagleFlight · 28/12/2020 17:23

@wowfudge

No she isn't: she's wrong. He is allowed to take an another job. In fact, he can also work part time for the original employer, which wasn't allowed first time round.

If his original contract states he can't work for anyone else then he may need to speak to the employer which has furloughed him.

It’s more of the moral issue considering the families who are facing bankruptcy, losing their homes/cars, starvation, committing suicide because of financial stress etc. He has effectively taken the job opportunity (when few jobs are around) from someone and effectively been complicit in their downfall.
Original poster
amy198820 · 28/12/2020 17:24

@NiceTwin

Tell her to wind her neck in, there is nothing illegal about it. Good on your dh for showing some initiative and doing something.

As long as his 3rd job employer is happy he will be up and leaving at short notice, I don't see the problem.

Thank you, our feeling is we don't know what lies ahead in the future and its better to get out and take up any opportunities we can whilst we can.
OP posts:
Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 28/12/2020 17:24

It is not illegal if he is working for a completely different employer and his original employer contract allows this.
Now, morally that is ridiculous as he is getting 100% pay. Maybe volunteer work would be better. Food banks are crying out for help.

But as somebody working in payroll I would say your DH isn't acting illegally but it immorally yes.
We will all pay for the furlough scheme for years to come.

Kazzyhoward · 28/12/2020 17:24

Not really on that he's taken a job when already on full 100% pay. That's a job that someone else, who was in real need, could have had. At a time when unemployment is rising rapidly, and there are 3 million self employed living on fresh air after being excluded from Govt support, it's not really on that someone already on full/normal pay takes another job.

Viviennemary · 28/12/2020 17:24

It's pure greed. And sounds like fraud.

Mylittleturkeysandwich · 28/12/2020 17:24

I will say my view is being clouded because DH is out fighting for 1 job while some people evidently have 2/3.

AlbusSeverusMalfoy · 28/12/2020 17:24

I didn't think you were allowed to take up work somewhere else whilst furloughed. Your friend has a very valid point and he shouldn't take up another job whilst being paid full for the other 2 whilst furloughed. Are his other employers aware he has another job now and their all still paying him?

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 28/12/2020 17:25

@Shaniac

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.
Whats unusual about it. My dp has a full time job and a part time job. Lots of people have to work more than one job, usually to earn a decent living Confused.

I have to agree with your friend though OP. I think he is taking the piss. Getting 100%of his salary, but taking a job that someone else might really need.
My brother was told by his company he wasn't allowed to take another job while on furlough at the beginning, but think they had to change that so guess he's not technically doing anything wrong.

2020quelhorreur · 28/12/2020 17:25

Sure

GonnaBeYoniThisChristmas · 28/12/2020 17:26

This: taken the job opportunity (when few jobs are around) from someone especially if he’s going to drop this new job as and when furlough ends. But, yeah, not illegal, just not that comfortable to live with I think...

Kazzyhoward · 28/12/2020 17:26

@Viviennemary

It's pure greed. And sounds like fraud.
Unfortunately not, it is allowed, so not fraud. Just yet another of The Chancellors foul ups re the covid support. Some people desperately in need get nothing but others get money thrown at them. Well done Rishi, you idiot!
Gingerbreadfeeling · 28/12/2020 17:26

He is absolutely allowed to do this and as furloughed jobs are likely vulnerable to redundancy, I do not blame him at all. I know a couple of self-employed people who really did rinse the system earlier in the year and this is not the same thing. Your DH didn't ask to be furloughed. Good on him.

DrCindyPops · 28/12/2020 17:26

It doesn't sit right with me either if I'm honest. Ok it's legal, fine. But in my eyes that third job could help someone struggling who isn't on furlough for another two!

JacobReesMogadishu · 28/12/2020 17:27

Can he not decline the furlough pay while he has a job elsewhere? To stop using tax payers money if he has another wage?

loulou0987 · 28/12/2020 17:27

He’s supposed to sit at home!! That’s what the whole point of furlough is... to stay at home and not spread the virus!

LindyLou2020 · 28/12/2020 17:27

@amy198820

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.

So - he will be informing his original 2 employers about this new, albeit temporary job? And he will be telling them he doesn't need all the furlough money he's been getting................yes?
anniegun · 28/12/2020 17:28

It is absolutely fine as long as he is aware of the rules (basically he needs to be able to return to his job when needed). The government want people to work and pay taxes. Good for him

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