Can we be expected to work while furloughed?

[AhCheeses]

I've received a letter today from my employer to say I've been furloughed, which we all expected after a meeting (online) last week.
However, it seems that we're expected to carry on working from home. Nothing has been mentioned about us not working.
My understanding is that if we're furloughed we cannot do any work. Am I right?

You are expressly FORBIDDEN to work for your employer when furloughed.

No, you are not allowed to work at all.

You are right. You are not allowed to do any work for your employer while furloughed.

You cannot work. My letter even states that you cannot go onto work premises while furloughed.

Thanks.
Thought I was getting the wrong end of the furlough stick!

Absolutely no working whilst furloughed. This is to stop unscrupulous employers basically getting the government to pay their salary bill for employees who are still needed at work.

Seems I'm going to have to be 'that' person that points out the obvious!

If you’ve furloughed to take advantage of the govt subsidy, it’s fraud.

You’ve BEEN furloughed...

You need to point this out to them via email and await their response.

My employer is also doing this. It doesn’t feel like a choice as there will be obvious repercussions in terms of job security. How are the government going to be able to check? Short answer is that they are seriously unlikely to have the resources to do so people in my situation are between a rock and a hard place.

As has been said, no, your company would be committing fraud. And if it wasn't for employees like you who would suffer, I would hope that each and every one of them who does this gets found out.

Report your employer anonymously to HMRC. They’ll soon find out they can’t do this, as it’s fraudulent.

@itswonkylampshade what do you mean job security? If you refuse to do it they aren't going to let you go to tribunal or whatever and put on record that they have been committing fraud, and if there is work to be done, the jobs seems fairly secure. Basically they want a few months of free labour, furlough money isn't 'free' and companies who do this and put their staff in this position is disgraceful.

How are the government going to be able to check?

I've spent all last week dealing with furlough & anytime I've spoken to HMRC they've made it clear that further down the line there will be compliance checks & audits carried out.

I honestly think it’s likely that quite a few companies will be doing this as a way of saving costs.

@Marieo ETs are notoriously difficult and long winded, what do people do for work/money in the meantime?

And if you have under 2 years' service you have even fewer rights.

People are being put in impossible positions by their employers. My sympathies OP.

Thanks everyone.
Everything's been sorted today. There were a few misunderstandings and discrepancies but it's been cleared up and we are most definitely furloughed.
It looks like I need to find some ways to fill my time now!