Genuine Q re Furloughing

[ClaretDiver]

Hey guys, I know some of you are up on this topic so want a bit of advice....my partners youngest has been furloughed from her job thus is receiving the 80% salary under the Government scheme...however, her boss is pressuring her to work 2 days per week from home...is this allowed under the scheme??

[thatdberight]

Absolutely not.

[taio]

I'm fairly certain it's forbidden. Even working just a few minutes for your existing employer while furloughed breaches the rules.

[ClaretDiver]

Thanks guys....problem is she is only 20 and a trainee so I feel he is bullying her...

[WazzaClaret]

Absolutely not, pretty sure he could get in big trouble for that. If he continues to pressure her after you point out the fact then I would report him.

[arise_sir_charge]

That is certainly forbidden.

He is effectively having the Government pay for his staff to keep working whether it be for a day or for a week.

[Zlatan]

For staff who have been furloughed at my place of work they have been instructed to turn off e-mail clients, not connect to work for anything at all. A social media presence was created for all staff to stay in touch outside of work channels. Our organisation have made it clear that disciplinary action (in the form of dismissal) will happen for any breaches of this. The finance department have been told that auditors will check and ALL funds from furloughing will be withdrawn for any breaches by any member of staff, so its pretty clear that working is forbidden if you've been furlough.

[thatdberight]

Thanks guys....problem is she is only 20 and a trainee so I feel he is bullying her...

She won't be the only one. Employees may have little choice but to collude. I haven't even seen a whistleblower's line. It's wrong but I'd struggle to advise an employee to do anything other than raise the issue once and, if told to just do it, get on with it and comply. The issue can dealt with later and hopefully will be by the authorities.

[thatdberight]

I would report him.

To whom?

[ClaretTim]

No work whatsoever. Shouldn't even be answering phones or emails if work related. You can get alternative employment eg part time job elsewhere if contract allows

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-yo ... ion-scheme

-see....While you’re on furlough

[Bin Ont Turf]

He wants reporting or chinning.

No different to claiming on t' sick and working.

[Devils_Advocate]

As above I'm being put on Furlough from the end of this week and in the company FAQ's its clear that I cannot do any work for the business as it invalidates their claim to the govt.

Im lucky that my business is paying me my full wage then claiming 80% back but Im not looking fwd to being stuck with nothing to do as work was keeping my brain active.

With regards your partners daughter although its not right and not legal in reality there is sometimes nothing you can do without cutting off your nose to spite your face. I would just say to her to work the two days from home for 80% of her wage and that its the boss breaking the rules and not her who will get in trouble if found out

[ClaretDiver]

Thanks for your input all, I thought this would be the case but wanted to be 100% sure. I will have a chat with her later and see what to do, the whole situation is stressing her out as it is everyone at the moment. As an aside, I hope you are all keeping safe and sane in these weird times!!!!

[Funkydrummer]

i would hazard a guess that he's furloughed himself, but is still working.

I'm sure the authorities would love to hear about that as well.

[Burnley1989]

In answer to your question - Absolutely not

I'm allowed to view my emails but they have been redirected to my manager as well, who will look after anything needed urgently. My COO emailed to say whilst he appreciates this would be difficult for me knowing my character, I absolutely must not touch our CRM or contact any customers. I have been working on my area planning for the future but this has all been done via excel spreadsheets rather than using the works CRM

I'd happily continue working, just to keep busy and talking to my customers. I've been told my commission is being withheld now which is around half of my yearly income, though my manager has said he will aim to pay it me back at the end of the year once things pick up as he did during the banking crisis. This may not be possible though which dramatically changes my families lifestyle, we will manage though.

[ClaretDiver]

i would hazard a guess that he's furloughed himself, but is still working.

I'm sure the authorities would love to hear about that as well.

You could be right there....given that he has told all his staff he is going to recommence installations this weekend with his son....the guy has a heavily pregnant wife at home too...the guy is a loose cannon!

[Gp8419]

As pointed out of course it’s not legal.But and I am not joking here if she is on furlough pay and her employee says I will drop you a little envelope off for your two days every Friday then course she should do it! I’ve paid my taxes like us all over the years,but I am sick of people scamming the benefited system so it wouldn’t frighten me in the slightest.Being a goody two shoes gets you nowhere in life!

[aggi]

As the link says, there are a few exemptions. My firm has furloughed (on full pay for the moment) a few new employees. Although they can't do any fee earning work they are allowed to continue with their training.

[ClaretDiver]

As pointed out of course it’s not legal.But and I am not joking here if she is on furlough pay and her employee says I will drop you a little envelope off for your two days every Friday then course she should do it! I’ve paid my taxes like us all over the years,but I am sick of people scamming the benefited system so it wouldn’t frighten me in the slightest.Being a goody two shoes gets you nowhere in life!

Unfortunately that will not happen!

[Tricky Trevor]

The problem for the young lady is that being a trainee the bully can just can her.
I wish her all the best in a dreadful situation.
If he did can her it would be worth an overnight visitation.

[dushanbe]

i would hazard a guess that he's furloughed himself, but is still working.

I'm sure the authorities would love to hear about that as well.

If he's a company director then he has a statutory duty to carry out certain tasks on behalf of the company even when furloughed. HMRC haven't been specific about what these tasks might be, other than pointing to the requirements of the Companies Act, but sensibly this would amount to reporting for tax and legal purposes, running payroll that kind of thing.

[dsr]

If he is claiming money from the government to compensate for not getting work from his staff, while continuing to get work from his staff, then he is committing fraud. And while the rest of the country is battling on making the best of it, for him to be feathering his nest at the expense of the taxpayer is thoroughly scummy behaviour.

[Loyalclaret]

I believe Martin Lewis said she could work for another company whist in furlough, just not the company she is employed and furlough at. I would check this though

[Claretitus]

I believe Martin Lewis said she could work for another company whist in furlough, just not the company she is employed and furlough at. I would check this though

Only if it stipulates in her contract with her current company, that she can perform work for another company. This usually states that any other job must not have any conflicts with her current one. e.g. working for a rival/competitor. And she would also have to inform her current company of work being done elsewhere.

[Loyalclaret]

Yes correct Claretitus, thanks