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Original poster

Anyone else tired of being on furlough now?

54 replies

Number37 · 10/01/2021 16:42

Just that really. I enjoy working and am starting to feel like my brain is turning into a marshmallow with lack of workplace stimulation.

I’ve tried to do different things at home but I’m starting to just feel rather “meh” with the whole situation

Anyone else fed up of furlough?

No furlough bashers please. That’s not what this thread is about.

OP posts:
Barton10 · 10/01/2021 20:47

I was on furlough for three months last year and I hated it. I like my job and felt almost lost with nothing to do. So many people were moaning about having to work but I was really happy when called back.

Sooverthisyear · 10/01/2021 20:56

My husbands been furloughed since March. Live music industry. Although it has been great he has been home so much especially for our very young children (usually out of the U.K. 9 months of the year) I really feel like his mental health is suffering now. There’s just no end in sight for his industry. He is so desperate to go back to work.

Oblomov20 · 10/01/2021 21:02

Never been furloughed. Wished I had. I've worked doubly hard for the last year. Those that have been off for a year, may see it differently. I'd have given my right arm for a year off on 80%.

Mochatatts · 10/01/2021 21:05

My OHs been furloughed since March. He went back for a few months July til Nov ish. He's a chef and unlikely to be back anytime soon, we were in tier 3 before lockdown.
While the weather was nice and the beginning of summer it was good. I picked up extra hours to cover the short fall and having him home all the time including evenings and weekends has been bliss. Apart from the money side of things I wouldn't mind him staying home, he's great company.
But money is becoming more of an issue, we had to borrow so the kids could have something for Xmas. I'm on maternity leave from next Monday aswell. We're just doing what we can. He loves gaming so passes the time doing that unless we can go out places. And I can always find things to do x

HedgieHog · 10/01/2021 21:07

Same @Oblomov20 the past 9 months have been tough with long hours

Sooverthisyear · 10/01/2021 21:10

I wish it was 80% of usual income but furlough is capped. But I consider ourselves lucky. There are so many in the industry who have received not a penny of help. It’s awful.

LooneyLovefood · 10/01/2021 21:22

I've been furloughed for 10 months now and for the vast majority of the time, I've quite enjoyed it. I really do love my job but I seem to love not working more. It's given me some amazing 1-1 time with my son, my mental health has never been better and I feel quite relaxed.
I do have wobbles every few weeks where I feel really bored of doing the same thing day in and day out, or when DS is playing up. However I do miss the interaction with my colleagues even though I've always worked from home in this role so it's not like I'm used to being in a bustling office, just miss the odd Skype call or occasional in person meeting.
The thing I'm struggling with mostly at the minute is finding time for me - we've stopped informal childcare for the moment so DS is with me constantly apart from one day a week which is my day to sort the house top to bottom. I've had to make myself go out for walks when I have a few spare minutes or do some crafty things on an evening to make sure there's time in the day that's for me and only me.
I am worried about going back to work and having zero stamina and missing my life on furlough. I reckon I've got a good few weeks to go yet though.

Shaniac · 10/01/2021 21:27

WhT do you all do that you have been furloughed so long?

I work in non essential retail. 2 different non essential clothes/sports shops. After lockdown was lifted only some staff members were allowed back and the boss picked her favourites (not me).

Furlough sounds like fun but its not. Theres only so much you can do to occupy yourself without being allowed to see anyone. So far in a week i have painted a picture for dps wall and read 4 books and drank a lot of vodka. Sounds fun but everything we need doing this year is on hold. Its shit. Unavoidable but shit.

Ragwort · 10/01/2021 22:57

I appreciate it sounds great compared to people who haven't been furloughed or, worse, have lost their job but I do agree I find it very tedious - if it was 'retirement' or 'annual leave' in normal times then there would be places to go to, friends to meet etc etc. I am lucky in that I am able to do some volunteering, I can also do online training and I have elderly parents to care for but it can be hard to endlessly motivate yourself.

And of course, there is that constant fear that what if your company just can't keep going and all the jobs are lost Sad, I work in non essential retail.

pinkcattydude · 10/01/2021 23:12

I was on furlough March - September. The constant anxiety was an absolute killer. I couldn’t sleep I ate crap while trying to be positive. But with redundancy constantly hanging over your head it’s hard to enjoy the time and no way to take your mind off it.

calamityjam · 10/01/2021 23:21

Started a business in October 19. A bistro. We were advised to pay ourselves a minimum wage to start with. Thank God for that advice, because it meant we (my dsis and I ) could be furloughed. However we got 6 months in before lockdown 1 then my sister went back in July and I looked after the kids. I went back in September for one day then had to close for a month due to Bolton lockdown. Returned in the beginning of October for 3 weeks to be hit by lockdown 2. I last worked on my birthday October 30th. I can't see us going back until after Easter at the earliest. I am now homeschooling my ds and supporting my dd who is 18 but has health issues. I am absolutely bored to tears most days.

Alwaysready · 10/01/2021 23:23

Would love to be furloughed.....

EmmaWithTheGreatHair · 10/01/2021 23:26

Furloughed in April, back to work in Sept, furloughed again in November and no idea when I’ll be back! Going stir crazy!

EmmaWithTheGreatHair · 10/01/2021 23:26

And no idea if I’ll have a job to go back to!!

BarbaraofSeville · 11/01/2021 05:39

WhT do you all do that you have been furloughed so long

Probably in one of the industries that haven't been allowed to open at all, or only a minimal period between lockdowns.

Theatres, cinemas, hotels, gyms, conferences, spas, spectator sports, nightclubs, music industry plus non essential retail, restaurants etc plus probably some more have been shut since March or have only opened for a few weeks around August and September so might not have brought all their staff back.

dottiedaisee · 11/01/2021 06:23

Am sure you could get some voluntary work ,food banks,collect shopping/prescriptions for the elderly,shielders etc. Go onto your local Facebook community page or join Nextdoor community forum !

Tyranttoddler · 11/01/2021 06:29

@Oblomov20

Never been furloughed. Wished I had. I've worked doubly hard for the last year. Those that have been off for a year, may see it differently. I'd have given my right arm for a year off on 80%.
Yeah, great to be furloughed, at risk of redundancy
Burnthurst187 · 11/01/2021 06:49

I was initially furloughed back in March for thirteen weeks then since I've worked week on/week off. I'd like to go back full time even though I'm being paid 100% to stay off, in the summer it was okay but now it's depressing

makingmyway10 · 11/01/2021 07:35

I work in a school in a non teaching role. I love my job it involves contact with students and the whole staff body. I love my colleagues and my role is interesting and different every day. I like dressing up for work and having a purpose to my day. I work part time and this suits me well.
I was furloughed in March until September and then worked until last week when I have been furloughed again until further notice. I am lucky my job is not at risk when schools go back I will have a job to go back to . I have also been Paid in full. But I hate being furloughed! I feel useless and struggle hugely reading work emails and not being a part of the team. Somehow it’s worse this time around as it just feels so bleak. The weather is bad , my DDs are not at home like last time and like everyone else I am so tired of it all. Sad I hate that some people think it’s unfair. My colleague on the other hand has loved furlough as she has been paid to stay at home with her small daughter and was really happy to be furloughed again last week. Totally opposite to how I feel.

Plussizejumpsuit · 11/01/2021 08:21

I'm rediculously jealous of people on furlough. I have ongoing depression and anxiety which I manage fairly well with medication normally. But right now I'm anxious and exhausted.

I know people who are furloughed have their own issues. But I'd kill for months of right now. So try to enjoy it!

LooneyLovefood · 11/01/2021 12:47

@Plussizejumpsuit

I'm rediculously jealous of people on furlough. I have ongoing depression and anxiety which I manage fairly well with medication normally. But right now I'm anxious and exhausted.

I know people who are furloughed have their own issues. But I'd kill for months of right now. So try to enjoy it!

This has kind of been my philosophy on being furloughed. When in my life will I ever be given nigh on a paid year off work? Never! So I have been trying as much as possible to enjoy it. Yes there's difficult times (this morning was one of them - I've shouted and cried lots) and with every new lockdown, cabin fever sets in a little more. But because there's nothing I can do to change the situation, I've tried finding the bright side of it all - so far it's worked.
whatisforteamum · 11/01/2021 12:56

I am a chef.i worked 12 days so never had free time as such.After all I thought I would fall apart without work as I never went away or went out as my job was my life.
I am trying to make the most of it.What is the alternative?

choccielover36 · 16/02/2021 19:49

I have been furloughed since March too. I work in travel so last to be back sadly! I really miss my job and already half of the company where let go in July so there is no knowing if I will have a job to go back too. I have been lucky to have extra time with the kids so I could homeschool, volunteered at their school 3 days a week when they were open and have completed an online course... but I am so so bored of it now! I just want some normality! 😩

StarCat2020 · 18/02/2021 15:58

Furlough is shit but think about the people who lost their jobs due to this pandemic and get UC which is ridiculously low.

Cornettoninja · 18/02/2021 16:09

I haven’t been furloughed at all but I can sympathise with those who’ve found it tough. There’s a very specific set of circumstances where it could be enjoyable but otherwise it’s not exactly the most enjoyable moment in history to have lots of free time.

I didn’t even take half of my annual entitlement this year, partly keeping some back for childcare/school/sickness issues and partly because - well what was the point? There’s been bugger all to do!

I hope anyone struggling finds some relief soon.