Any one else worrying about having a job to go back to?

[SpideyMom]

So, like so many others I've been furloughed. My boss cannot see me returning to work before june and it may be longer if the business remains quiet. When I asked if I would have a job to return to he never answered. It was over an email that was read but not responded to. I asked that question on Wednesday.

So I'm not going to lie its giving me some sleepless nights. I am a single parent. I have a mortgage and desperately want to keep our home and a roof over my child's head. (I realise there will be so many like me feeling like this too). The worry of my job not being as secure as I was told it was is keeping me awake at night.

I'm genuinely scared I wont have a job to go back to

The not answering the question is quite telling - it means the answer may well be 'no' I'm afraid. Probably your boss doesn't even know for sure.

I'm currently furloughed and not confident about my job prospects long term. I don't think many people are. It's shit being made redundant at the best of times, but at least then you can get another job (maybe not your ideal job, but something to tide you over). I fear with this situation there will be very few jobs and thousands of people looking.

Unless there is a good redundancy payoff likely, use this time to start looking, and if you find something, to jump ship. You won't be the only person doing that, but you stand a chance of getting the drop on those sitting waiting for their jobs to miraculously reappear once the government stop paying them to sit at home. Because there are likely going to be millions of disappointed workers sometime soon.

I have 2 jobs. One I will definitely not be able to return to for a long time as it involves crowds of people mingling.

The other I think I will be able to soonish, but it just depends whether the customers want/can afford it.

If I were you, I'd think in terms of whether your industry is likely to be able to pick up where it left off, or whether it will be looking bleak for a long time to come. If you're in the hospitality / entertainment or tourism / airline industry, you'd be able to take a reasonable punt that you are less likely to have a job than in an industry that can be serviced through use of technology, ie having the ability to wfh more easily. Make your predictions accordingly as to whether it's worth putting the feelers out there.

The fact you've been furloughed suggests you haven't been able to continue to deliver your service remotely, but I could be wrong. Unfortunately the U.K. economy has been built to rely in sectors that deliver to the end user, can require a fair amount of human contact and physical presence, Eg retail. So if that's you, then start looking for new work and at least see what else is out there.

Remember in many cases (unless your contract prohibits it) you can work for another employer whilst on furlough and plenty of people are even if that means they are currently in effect getting double pay. So you could team up with another single parent who is furloughed and one of you work a day shift at a supermarket whilst the other has the children and one the night shift (people caring for children ARE allowed into homes - nannies etc cleaners too)

There are not many jobs out there at the moment to be fair.. maybe if you'll do literally anything but I want to vaguely remain in the field I have trained for (which is multi-sector, so I could easily transfer into a less affected sector if there even are any) so whilst I will keep a tentative eye out I'm not getting my hopes up!

Agree that it's all going to go to shit when furlough ends....

I've decided to start looking. Its making me feel sick. My work involves supplying to businesses and end customers. The main part of my job is customer facing so is needed but will depend on if customers come in.

Its awful

My Husband is a Chef. I'm very worried.

I’m sorry OP

I got made redundant before the virus and then went freelance. No work now, also a sector that won’t go back to normal.

In terms of “tiding you over” jobs, would you do care work?

I’m so sorry, this lockdown has been insane.

In terms of work ideally it would have to work around my son. But let's face it, it's not a time to be picky. I'd take on anything to save him is home

I work in a leisure related industry and at the moment we cant operate until social distancing is removed. At the moment the timescale being discussed is late 2020 at best or early 2021.

Oh gosh really. That is so worrying. What will you do?

Paddington also leisure related. That’s why I’m looking at anything, bills must be paid.

Will need to wait and see what happens with schools first. 😕

I'm in the same situation with school however have decided my son will have to live with my parents and keep the 3 of them safe whilst I pay the bills

My position is funded by a charity which have said they expect to lose 50% of fundraising revenue this year. Funding is up for renewal in Dec and the contract is always temporary, so yes I am very worried. We have been able to wfh but normally work in a hospital setting so unlikely to be able to return to face to face work anytime soon.

I'm trying to distract my mind but I'm finding it really hard. Millions of us will be feeling the same way. We have absolutely no control

Yep, I have been in the travel industry for nearly 35 years, with current employer for 19 years, absolutely love it. On furlough until end of June but can't see going back (if I do) until late 2020 then the job role may not be the same as before or on same hours. I have started to prepare my c.v, LinkedIn and signing up to job alert sites to see what is out there just in case. I think about it every day but I guess no-one knows what is going to happen as the situation is changing each week.