Work v Furlough

Fflaurie I hope you feel appreciated although that isn't going to help your feeling of exhaustion. The vast majority feel nothing but awareness and appreciation of key workers who have heroically kept the rest of us going.
There are a few who have enjoyed furlough, flouted the rules and given the impression of it being a jolly holiday but from what I can see and hear the majority would rather be at work, contributing and feeling secure in their jobs.
I hope you manage a break soon and make the most of it with some long hot baths in lavender, a few glasses of what you fancy and sleep and more sleep.
We have a long way to go on this journey together and I thank you for the part you play.

I work in a theatre. We were furloughed very quickly but now have absolutely no idea when we can safely return to work, in fact many of us fear we will lose our jobs completely. Ironically, I was made redundant from a job I loved last year around this time and decided to go to this job as I was fairly certain it was a secure post! No one is safe at the moment. Many local retail shops are simply not reopening, including the Cancer charity shop which has been here over 30 years! This has been a very hard time for a lot of families. One of my colleagues died from Covid 19. Just tragic!

Well said CassieJ you are right about furlough bashing being the new benefit bashing. Furlough is causing a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety as people wait to see whether they will be taken back on or made redundant.
It is certainly not the fault of furloughed workers that the pension age has been increased .

I said to DH yesterday that I really do think they should lower State Pension age back down again to 65 (at least) this releasing jobs for younger people.

There may be fewer jobs around in the future so why not pay older people their pensions instead of paying younger people who may not be able to get a job.

I'm sorry you feel so tired and down but I am not surprised. Well done for helping keep the country going at a difficult time and yes, you do deserve a break.
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I feel rather peed off, too.
Nobody's fault, but I've been working throughout (zero hour contract)

A big fuss about children of key workers, but back to normal now; school shut, me on my way to work, nobody to look after grandson.

I have been furloughed since March on 80% of my wage. I am also in my 60's, so it isn't just younger ones furloughed.
I never asked for this, my employer needed staff to go on furlough for the benefit of the business. At the moment I am due to go back to work at the end of August, but that could change.

Furlough isn't a holiday as some people seem to think it is. Furlough shaming seems to be the new benefit bashing.

I am not living the life of Riley. Yes, the weather at times has been good. But I can't afford to do anything or go anywhere, and for the first couple of months we weren't allowed to go anywhere anyway. My mental health has really been affected by all this and I am struggling daily with that.
I am not making any savings by not being at work, if anything it is costing me more to be at home, on a reduced wage.
I walk to work, so no cost benefits there. I get a free meal and all drinks at work, so again no savings there.
I would rather be in work.

I agree with Riverwalk in that I wouldn't assume a reluctance to return to work. A fear of contracting the virus is quite understandable, though.

All the parties, BBQs, beach-going bank holiday behaviour (by some) has been sickening - but it's what a lot of people do when they're not at work.

I sympathise with OP. Since lockdown I’ve reverted to the role of full time daily career, Monday to Friday, 8.30 till 5.30, plus the role of housekeeper. I’ve been living at my daughter’s and caring for my twin grandchildren whilst attempting some home schooling. It’s a full time job! I’m lucky! I’ve just had a week off camping and I’m back to it today.

At 68, it’s kept me going with lots of company but weariness has set in. Lots of stuff not being done at home but it’s been better than being locked away or catching Covid. We are the lucky ones.

At least we aren’t suffering the deprivations of war. Just imagine how that must be for millions across the world. Just be kind to yourself and enjoy any relaxation time you do have.

Everyone has tried to do their bit, so well done to you.

Like the OP my sister a key worker in her 60's had worked long and extra hours doing really unsociable hours, 5pm till 1pm and all day Sunday. She works distributing medications to chemist, hospitals etc. The only reward they received was some packs of paracetamol, laughingly she said 'in case they had a headache or pain so they didnt ring in sick'!!! I worry about her all the time as she has various health issues but not bad enough to have to shield. A few years ago she would have retired at 60 and we would be spending time together as two retired sisters enjoying the twilight of our years, as it is she now has to wait another 5 years like many others.

I was chatting to my new neighbour over the fence yesterday. He works for a very large company (won’t say which one) and he was telling me that this week he (personally) has to make 250 people redundant . They are all currently furloughed .

He was very upset at the prospect .

How long are others going to be reluctant to return? Where would their food and groceries have come from if none of them had felt it was safe to work?

Furloughed staff are not 'reluctant' to return - they have been laid off. Working from home staff have been doing just that, working from home.

Please Don’t feel jealous Fflaurie . Many of those young people on furlough won’t even have jobs to go back to now that the scheme is drawing to an end.

I’m 58 and like you I’ve worked right through this although I’m not a key worker . I run my own small business employing myself, my DH (when he is well) and 3 other people. I originally furloughed 2 employees as we’ve barely had any work for almost 4 months now, but I have since brought them back part time (for 90% of their pay). I haven’t seen a penny of wages since March as I couldn’t furlough myself and I needed one of my lads to help me with the technical stuff so his wages have been the priority.

To say we are struggling is an understatement. I am living in a massive overdraft secured in my own home .

I do understand how hard it is to work when you feel exhausted (I’m 58 and working more hours than I ever have) and there will be no retirement for me for at least another 9.5 years .

I just feel for all these youngsters who pretty soon won’t have jobs at all.

Please don’t think I am trying to make you feel guilty it’s just that everything isn’t always as it seems .

Those on furlough are not responsible for your exhaustion!

After the scheme ends many/most are likely to face redundancy - so don't be jealous of them.

Presumably you've built up some weeks of paid annual leave over the past few months, so why not have a holiday and recharge your batteries.

Totally understand your grievances.

I particularly feel for supermarket workers who have had to keep working throughout the crisis, and must have felt especially vulnerable at the start of lockdown.

How long are others going to be reluctant to return? Where would their food and groceries have come from if none of them had felt it was safe to work?

Sorry to hear you’re feeling low. You’ve done incredibly well throughout a tough time.

Our son in law has just returned to work last week. His circumstances meant he fell between two stools during lockdown which meant he wasn’t entitled to furlough pay nor Universal Credit - so it’s been a difficult 12 weeks for him and his wife and children.

Not everyone has been living the life of Riley and my post might help alleviate some of your annoyance.

Hopefully you might be able to put in for some annual leave soon and take a well earned rest!
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