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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:
TerryHearn · 28/12/2020 22:07

This thread is an interesting insight into the psyche of the average person. No wonder we have a problem with tax avoidance, loopholes and generally playing the system. No common decency in the main. Anyone who calls it out is shot down. Welcome to modern Britain. Lol.

SD1978 · 28/12/2020 22:07

He's being paid from two jobs at 100% he's not doing, and third job he is. Whilst technically there may not be an issue with the furlough scheme- there should be. I can see your friends point. He's already being paid a wage and is unable to work in the first two jobs, but is now on a third income, purely because under current guidelines he can't work at his main places. I don't honk it should be allowed, I would expect someone to stop receiving the furlough pay in this circumstance and obviously your friend does too.

NegativeNelly · 28/12/2020 22:08

I really don't think it is that big of a deal. If his employer is happy with it and the new employer, then I don't see the problem. At the end of the day, with everything going on with people losing their jobs, being financial unstable and uncertain what is around the corner with regards to health. I really don't blame your DH taking another job and putting more money in your savings for YOUR family. You do what is right for you. Yes people will judge because they wouldn't have thought of it or been given that opportunity but you do what is right for you in that moment.

What if your DH declined it, and then when furlough scheme ended he lost his job? I bet your friend would be the first to say 'Maybe he should have taken that other job a few months back'..

And all these people saying 'Why didn't you DH consider volunteering?'. Because in all honesty, volunteering isn't as appealing as having a job that pays money. I know what I would rather do, call me selfish or not.

CrazyCatLover · 28/12/2020 22:12

I’m with the majority on this one. I’ve been on a salary inconsistent with inflation for years, haven’t had a day off sick this year, worked throughout and will most likely be taxed more to pay for it in the future whilst your husband is yet another person abusing the system 🙄

Shaniac · 28/12/2020 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TheIrishRover · 28/12/2020 22:14

He's allowed to do this. If your friend has an issue, it's not yours. He's not doing anything wrong.

scotsllb · 28/12/2020 22:15

@PlanDeRaccordement

Blame the government then, not the man on the street looking out for his family.This government don't care about you or morals, it's legally allowed. So I suppose we should blame the government for every cheating husband out there? After all adultery is legal so can’t blame the poor menz.
What? Sorry that's not even relevant. What a strange thing to say
scotsllb · 28/12/2020 22:18

@Anyoldname12

Mad that people get so up in arms about the “morality” and “ethics” of a bloke claiming a few grand in furlough but don’t bat an eye at the billions in unpaid taxes by massive companies, and the government spinning away millions on contracts to their mates.

Probably have the “benefit claimers are milking the system and bleeding is dry” mentality too.

Absolutely! And no the caring about both don't go hand in hand. You can't sit and be angry about someone claiming extra money and arguing that your taxes pay for it and berating them when they very people who are there to lead by example are fleecing the country every chance they get
Posidonas · 28/12/2020 22:20

@Shaniac

*Utter rubbish. You can be furloughed under as many jobs that you worked in between 20 March-30 October up to the maximum of £2.5 k per job per month. Why bother commenting when you know nothing about it?*

Maybe you should read i said i was sure, not that it was concrete evidence. Maybe you shouldn't comment if your going to be a cunt to people.

Why bother saying you were sure it was true when it isn’t? Why bother commenting if you are that ignorant? And by the way it is “you’re” not “your”
ancientgran · 28/12/2020 22:23

I know there was a rush of love for Rishi Sunak but I think when this is all over and there is an accounting of what went on he will go down in people's estimations. So many flaws in what he has done, so much fiddling going on, firms furloughing people who are actually at work, people taking out business loans with the intentions of going bankrupt and not paying them with everything transferred to the wife and yes I've heard this plan more than once. Babies in their cots tonight will be paying for this for their working lives.

KatherineJaneway · 28/12/2020 22:24

@TheIrishRover

He's allowed to do this. If your friend has an issue, it's not yours. He's not doing anything wrong.
Legally yes, morally no.
Shaniac · 28/12/2020 22:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Holox · 28/12/2020 22:28

Muchtomuchtodo- I'm not sure if you mean your DH was furloughed and took a job in a supermarket or he was made redundant then took a job in a supermarket. If the first I'm not sure what the point of the post is. If the second, it feels like you and others are suggesting there should be some kind of hierarchy for who should be given/allowed to accept a job. If so, where does this stop? I mean if someone applies for a job and gets it, but their partner earns a good salary, should they turn it down and suggest to the employer that they offer it to a 'needier' person? If the OP's DH earns 15k a year does that make a difference to if he earns 50k a year? Would the lower salary make it ok? I think the entire argument here is a bit bonkers.

Doyoumind · 28/12/2020 22:30

I agree that he's doing nothing wrong legally but is morally. He's being paid with tax payers money and someone else in desperate need of a job could have taken the new one in his place. I couldn't respect someone who did this.

GCAcademic · 28/12/2020 22:31

@ancientgran

I know there was a rush of love for Rishi Sunak but I think when this is all over and there is an accounting of what went on he will go down in people's estimations. So many flaws in what he has done, so much fiddling going on, firms furloughing people who are actually at work, people taking out business loans with the intentions of going bankrupt and not paying them with everything transferred to the wife and yes I've heard this plan more than once. Babies in their cots tonight will be paying for this for their working lives.
I said back in March when he was being praised to the skies that in time (i.e. the time when we have to pay for his largesse) that he will come to be the most hated Chancellor in history. In the meantime, I find astonishing his lack of attention to detail, obvious loopholes, etc. that means we will be paying even more, way way more, than should have been the case.
Posidonas · 28/12/2020 22:31

[quote Shaniac]@posidonas because its a chat forum for opinions and i commented on what i was told when i got a 2nd job during lockdown. But there you go being a cunt again.[/quote]
Well you were told incorrect advice and repeated it here. And I’ve reported your personal attacks.

Agoodbriskwalk · 28/12/2020 22:31

It's fine, OP. Very weird that people would rather he did nothing (leaving himself open to claiming benefits AFTER furlough (that all the hardworking taxpayers of mumsnet would have to pay AS WELL) than get another job in the meantime.

I would 100% do the same to try to keep my options open for work during a health and financial crisis. I don't give a fuck what my friends or the people of mumsnet would think - only that my kids have security. You do you, OP. Friend has no right to think anything.

Posidonas · 28/12/2020 22:32

Quite what is cuntish about pointing out the truth baffles me but clearly in your fantasy world that’s what happens

hamsterchump · 28/12/2020 22:37

@PiggyPokkyFool Can I ask which survey sites do you use? Thanks

wishywashywoowoo70 · 28/12/2020 22:37

He isn't doing anything wrong. It's not your problem if your friend is offended

ScubaSteven · 28/12/2020 22:38

The point of this being allowed to happen is to prevent millions of people from being out of work when furlough ends and businesses have gone bust. It gave people the opportunity to gain experience in different fields and secure at least part time work.

The other point of this was so that people could be employed temporarily to cover people who were shielding or who had to take leave due to childcare issues when the schools closed. They supported the survival of businesses that would have otherwise had to close.

It is completely up to individual companies whether they decide to top up to 100%.

OP your friend is being an arse along with so many people on this thread. Who is to say that one of the situations above don't apply to your DH? It is no one else's business what the income is of anyone else, and those who haven't been furloughed most likely have secure employment. People on furlough don't.

Trenisenne · 28/12/2020 22:39

@unchienandalusia

Whether it is legally right or not it is abhorrent immoral to take tax payers money during a crisis which was designed To help people abs businesses stay afloat whilst being paid for doing other work. He should be going on unpaid leave from his current employer until they have a position that they can pay him for.

You are scroungers and cheaters. Whatever the law says. I hope hmrc get I involved (unless of course it's the double whammy of cash in hand). People like you and your DH make me sick. Whilst so many are suffering and the economy is tanking you only think of yourselves.

Despicable

Yes, this.
ginislife · 28/12/2020 22:41

But it's not him "rinsing the system". His employer has put him on furlough and it's his employer who is claiming the money. He's perfectly entitled to get another job to occupy his time. Ffs

TerryHearn · 28/12/2020 22:44

The reactions here tell you that there is an awful lot of this going on. Abuse of the furlough scheme is pretty much mainstream considering the opinions being posted on this thread. People have never had it so good from a scheme which was meant to simply cover 80% of lost wages. I reckon many of you are praying furlough lasts forever!

MaryLeeOnHigh · 28/12/2020 22:44

@Doyoumind

I agree that he's doing nothing wrong legally but is morally. He's being paid with tax payers money and someone else in desperate need of a job could have taken the new one in his place. I couldn't respect someone who did this.
You have no idea whether someone else in need of a job could have taken the new temporary job. It may well be that the job needs the level of skills and experience which OP's husband has but which are not necessarily universal.