The "I've been furloughed" Thread

The "I've been furloughed" Thread

Author
Discussion

scoey1001

743 posts

82 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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journeymanpro said:
scoey1001 said:
Is an employer within their rights to put you on furlough then sub contract work out that you had been asked to do before being furloughed?
Don't see why not but can't make much sense.

Would imagine sub contracting out costs more than your employment cost?
Yes it would.

Was thinking more that it's abuse of the furlough scheme as aren't they only supposed to use it if they don't have work for you? Where in this case it is clear there was work.

Ninja59

3,691 posts

113 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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Abuse of the furlough scheme definitely. Proving it, hmm, I suspect HMRC will be dealing with those more that abuse it by furloughing an employee then forcing them to work still. I can only imagine in the coming period that this is going to see lots of companies caught out.

That being said if they are already subbing the work out then I think the writing is on the wall for your role so to speak.

StevenB

777 posts

198 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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HorneyMX5 said:
Another milestone today, as far as I can work out I’m the last of my friends still furloughed.

Many people here still off work?
Been off since 19th March, furlough since 23rd march. No word on returning

Kit352

154 posts

71 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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My wife has been furloughed since the madness began with no idea when she is going back. I suspect the store she works at will not survive this and they are just keeping staff on furlough as long as they can.

journeymanpro

758 posts

78 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
quotequote all
StevenB said:
HorneyMX5 said:
Another milestone today, as far as I can work out I’m the last of my friends still furloughed.

Many people here still off work?
Been off since 19th March, furlough since 23rd march. No word on returning
yes i am still off, was furloughed from april 1st.

i can however start booking jobs in from 1st august so there is a slight glimmer of hope.

scoey1001

743 posts

82 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
quotequote all
Sorry that some of this is a repeat of what I have posted above but really looking for some advice . Currently going through the redundancy process and it looks like my card has been marked. Will try and outline the facts.
Consultation period of 30 days began yesterday, which was my first day back after 112 days on furlough.

- 2 others in my department (same job title) 1 brought back 2 months ago 1 brought back 1 month ago.
- Both are working from home and both have had new laptops bought for them to be delivered in 3 weeks (around same time as first redundancy announcement).
- Found out a job I was given just before I was furloughed has been sub contracted out instead of bringing me back (this was one month ago).

The last one does make me feel rubbish to be honest. Company has not yet announced how many from each department will go (expected this week). Now in my situation would you wait it out and see what develops or raise this with your line manager and ask why this has happened? I don't want to burn bridges but don't want to be treated like a mug either.

Surely the furlough scheme is there for businesses to use when they don't have work available. However in this case they obviously did have the work there but chose to give it to a 'friend' of the company rather than bring me back. The person who they subbed the work out to is an ex employee who went freelance and often badgers the senior manager for work (they have a good relationship) so it may be the case they were trying to help him out rather than a slight on me but everything put together feels like i am on the way out.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Funny username

1,494 posts

176 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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Pit Pony said:
In my experience, big companies have institutionalised employees who are working at 70% of what they are capable of.
Added to the procedures that have 30 to 50 % waste, and pointless management reporting, it's hardly surprising that someone in the executive suite, in G wing (Moor Lane) has asked an intern to click on a mouse.
Ha, another RR'er!

After watching how the "leadership" have handled this, I finally jumped ship, and apply for a job in the Nuclear arm. Just waiting on the paper contract now.

djc206

12,360 posts

126 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
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We’ve got people furloughed at my workplace until the end of October who were guaranteed their jobs will be retained in an email this morning, chuffed for them.

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 28th July 2020
quotequote all
scoey1001 said:
Surely the furlough scheme is there for businesses to use when they don't have work available. However in this case they obviously did have the work there but chose to give it to a 'friend' of the company rather than bring me back. The person who they subbed the work out to is an ex employee who went freelance and often badgers the senior manager for work (they have a good relationship) so it may be the case they were trying to help him out rather than a slight on me but everything put together feels like i am on the way out.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
As far as i can tell, Furlough does not restrict the business using sub contractors.

The only thing i can see is if you disputed your redundancy, you may be able to show your role was not redundant and you are seeking redress for unfair dismissal. Whilst furloughed your rights as an employee remain. Going down that route is something you should try and avoid unless you think it's worthwhile, it's always better to leave a business on good terms if you can.

As to discussing the situation with HR or your manager, you will have to make a call on this yourself, depending on the relationship you have with the company. If you do get selected for redundancy and you are considering options to dispute it, take proper advice from a specialist.

Hopefully things don't go that way for you, unfortunately there are soon to be lots of people dealing with this kind of issue, so its worth updating your CV and getting a feel for the job market for your skills, get ahead of the game and prepare for eventualities.

worsy

5,811 posts

176 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
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jsf said:
scoey1001 said:
Surely the furlough scheme is there for businesses to use when they don't have work available. However in this case they obviously did have the work there but chose to give it to a 'friend' of the company rather than bring me back. The person who they subbed the work out to is an ex employee who went freelance and often badgers the senior manager for work (they have a good relationship) so it may be the case they were trying to help him out rather than a slight on me but everything put together feels like i am on the way out.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
As far as i can tell, Furlough does not restrict the business using sub contractors.

The only thing i can see is if you disputed your redundancy, you may be able to show your role was not redundant and you are seeking redress for unfair dismissal. Whilst furloughed your rights as an employee remain. Going down that route is something you should try and avoid unless you think it's worthwhile, it's always better to leave a business on good terms if you can.

As to discussing the situation with HR or your manager, you will have to make a call on this yourself, depending on the relationship you have with the company. If you do get selected for redundancy and you are considering options to dispute it, take proper advice from a specialist.

Hopefully things don't go that way for you, unfortunately there are soon to be lots of people dealing with this kind of issue, so its worth updating your CV and getting a feel for the job market for your skills, get ahead of the game and prepare for eventualities.
Scoey, are you on full pay or near as damn it 80% of full pay? I mean is furlough relatively comfortable?



HorneyMX5

Original Poster:

5,309 posts

151 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
Well I met up with a couple of co-workers for a walk last night and one is fairly senior, he was about as clear as he could be without getting himself in trouble that I need to step up my job hunting.

boyse7en

6,738 posts

166 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
I'm still furloughed - the business I work for closed its doors at the beginning of April and is still closed. One of our main sources of income is shows and events so until some sort of announcement comes about those I guess the directors will keep us closed to minimise outgoings.
The lack of communication is getting to me though. Ive only heard from them four times since lockdown - all instigated by text messages from me to them asking for an update. TBH I'm nervous about asking again.

Been looking at jobs and there is very little about, mostly nursing and care home work, neither of which I am cut out for.
Is it worth using on of those CV writing firms to help identify my "transferable skills"? I'm good at what I do, but if there's no call for that I need to work out what else I can do and at the moment it is all a bit daunting.

waynecyclist

8,839 posts

115 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
Bern furloughed since the 27th March, no word on returning yet.

Not going to hit the panic button yet but I have the feeling I know what is coming.

scoey1001

743 posts

82 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
worsy said:
jsf said:
scoey1001 said:
Surely the furlough scheme is there for businesses to use when they don't have work available. However in this case they obviously did have the work there but chose to give it to a 'friend' of the company rather than bring me back. The person who they subbed the work out to is an ex employee who went freelance and often badgers the senior manager for work (they have a good relationship) so it may be the case they were trying to help him out rather than a slight on me but everything put together feels like i am on the way out.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
As far as i can tell, Furlough does not restrict the business using sub contractors.

The only thing i can see is if you disputed your redundancy, you may be able to show your role was not redundant and you are seeking redress for unfair dismissal. Whilst furloughed your rights as an employee remain. Going down that route is something you should try and avoid unless you think it's worthwhile, it's always better to leave a business on good terms if you can.

As to discussing the situation with HR or your manager, you will have to make a call on this yourself, depending on the relationship you have with the company. If you do get selected for redundancy and you are considering options to dispute it, take proper advice from a specialist.

Hopefully things don't go that way for you, unfortunately there are soon to be lots of people dealing with this kind of issue, so its worth updating your CV and getting a feel for the job market for your skills, get ahead of the game and prepare for eventualities.
Scoey, are you on full pay or near as damn it 80% of full pay? I mean is furlough relatively comfortable?

I was on 80%. Struggled a bit and Mrs had to take on extra hours. But not sure of your point on this?

worsy

5,811 posts

176 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
scoey1001 said:
worsy said:
jsf said:
scoey1001 said:
Surely the furlough scheme is there for businesses to use when they don't have work available. However in this case they obviously did have the work there but chose to give it to a 'friend' of the company rather than bring me back. The person who they subbed the work out to is an ex employee who went freelance and often badgers the senior manager for work (they have a good relationship) so it may be the case they were trying to help him out rather than a slight on me but everything put together feels like i am on the way out.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
As far as i can tell, Furlough does not restrict the business using sub contractors.

The only thing i can see is if you disputed your redundancy, you may be able to show your role was not redundant and you are seeking redress for unfair dismissal. Whilst furloughed your rights as an employee remain. Going down that route is something you should try and avoid unless you think it's worthwhile, it's always better to leave a business on good terms if you can.

As to discussing the situation with HR or your manager, you will have to make a call on this yourself, depending on the relationship you have with the company. If you do get selected for redundancy and you are considering options to dispute it, take proper advice from a specialist.

Hopefully things don't go that way for you, unfortunately there are soon to be lots of people dealing with this kind of issue, so its worth updating your CV and getting a feel for the job market for your skills, get ahead of the game and prepare for eventualities.
Scoey, are you on full pay or near as damn it 80% of full pay? I mean is furlough relatively comfortable?

I was on 80%. Struggled a bit and Mrs had to take on extra hours. But not sure of your point on this?
I was going down the optimistic line that your employer may be thinking, Scoey is getting near as damn it full pay, I have a chance to help someone out who I know, at no cost to me or to Scoey. Once the Govt scheme ends it will be back to work for Scoey but until then i may as well let him have his summer and help out an ex employee - win win.



BigMon

4,202 posts

130 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
I think all I can do is sit tight, ride it out and deal with it if I get made redundant for the first time in my life.

Fingers crossed for anyone else in a similar position.

p1stonhead

25,568 posts

168 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
BigMon said:
I think all I can do is sit tight, ride it out and deal with it if I get made redundant for the first time in my life.

Fingers crossed for anyone else in a similar position.
Personally I’d hedge my bets and be out looking to be honest. Once furlough formally ends there may be a lot more people on the lookout. Can’t hurt to try and get out ahead of it as much as possible.

LukeBrown66

4,479 posts

47 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
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Out looking is a very open point, in a lot of fields you are better off enjoying the time you have off as there is literally NOTHING around.

anonymous-user

55 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
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Yes, the jobs market is rubbish, but it's still worth looking if you think you're going to be made redundant.

I start a new job next week and a good friend was offered a new role the other day - so there are opportunities.

HorneyMX5

Original Poster:

5,309 posts

151 months

Wednesday 29th July 2020
quotequote all
Well just had an email confirming another month of furlough.