A question about furlough

[fairynick]

Hi all,
Been really lucky to have worked throughout the pandemic, at first at home and then back to the office. With the recent full lockdown, back at home again.
Began working from home Wednesday with internet problems, Thursday internet on my work PC would not work at all, and Friday did a speed check before work that was coming in at around 0.7mbps which is super low, so when I sent it to my manager they said I would have to take the day unpaid whilst she tried to sort something. She has sent me a signal booster for my wifi which arrived today and hasn’t helped at all.
If we don’t find a solution, will I be eligible for furlough? I’m really worried and can’t find much online.
Also all other devices in my house in various location are working with speeds of around 20mbps so I am adamant that it isn’t an internet problem but more to do with the ancient PC. Manager won’t hear anything about it, and is fixed on it being my internet issue.
I’ve worked for this company for around 7 years, if at all relevant to the Job Retention Scheme.

Is it a pc they have provided?
Can they supply you with a different one to see if it helps ?

It is. I hope so, we’re in talks. I’m worried that if we can’t sort something out and I can’t work will I be eligible for furlough or have to take it unpaid?

Have you got an ethernet cable that you could use to connect the PC to the router? This would take the wifi element of the work PC out of the equation. If you get a good speed, then you have clear evidence to give the boss, plus you would be able to work.

Thanks for the suggestions, I’m hoping we will find a solution. I’m worried that if we don’t as a last resort, whether I’ll be placed on unpaid leave or furlough? Does anyone have any knowledge or advice about this?

I believe that any companies that aren't public sector can furlough technically, but that doesn't mean they have to or want to. If there is plenty of work to be done then they may not be in a position to furlough you (if you're not there will someone else do the work?).
The (small) company I work for aren't furloughing people even though they did in 1st lockdown as there is plenty of work to be done and they can't afford to (nor do they want to) recruit for temporary positions.

Furlough is at the discretion of the employer; they aren't obliged to offer it. Sorry.

Okay so they don’t have to furlough me, if they were happy to would they be able to? Would my circumstances qualify, because its as if I’m unable to work from home? If I am unable to work, they won’t get somebody else to do my work, they will just scale down operations a bit as they have done recently with some of the companies we outsource furloughing etc.

If you were on the payroll before 31st October they can furlough you. Sounds like they would just want you to work in the office though.

As a previous poster has said, try running an Ethernet cable from your router to the pc. If it's an ancient pc then the wireless connection could be iffy, but a direct connection should work.

I think they could furlough if all agreed but i doubt they'll just furlough, more likely just fix the internet/pc issue....?

Companies don’t have to put you on furlough unfortunately, but I would ask that they consider it for you.

I had really similar issues with my company laptop. Dh got me a cable to plug in straight from the laptop to WiFi router and I've never had issues since - could a short term fix for today if you can get one?
Also found having my smart TV on slowed my laptop right down!

When we were having Wifi problems I found an app called “Wifi Status” which will tell you how strong the signal is. This obviously won’t fix anything for you but will either prove to your boss that it’s not your wifi that’s the problem or will help you decide where to locate the Wi-Fi extender.