Furlough am I being rude asking

Surely that's confidential information. If, in the future, you find that you have been unfairly sidelined for redundancy, that would be when you are entitled to make enquiries as part of the 'why me' question. Until then, you'll just have to wait. Your (understandable) anxiety about the future is not a valid reason to be given this information, I'm afraid.

I'm on furlough myself, and have some idea as to which other of my colleagues are, as we've chatted informally about it on our Whatsapp group. However, I'm psyching myself up for when it all ends and I have to look for another job as I can't see our business sustaining itself through this period.

Furloughing is a new minefield for both employer and employees. Most employers made furlough choices on economic grounds, type of available work, and on any health/shielding requirements applicable to individuals. Data protection rules apply to other people's data so your employer would not necessarily be able to tell you full details of other employees/circumstances.
If it comes to a redundancy situation, the criteria for selecting posts must not discriminate directly or indirectly on any of the equality grounds such as gender, race, age or disability, and employers have to consider reasonable adaptions such as working from home for shielded disabled workers.

There is nothing preventing you from looking for alternative job while on furlough leave and handing in your notice in the normal way, but there are not many new opportunities elsewhere, and if you have long service with your current employer you will probably get some redundancy pay if the worst happens.

Another potential problem post redundancy if you become unemployed is the lack of a safety net, particularly if you do not have children at home ( or have savings) as universal credit, if you qualify, is unlikely to be enough to pay essential bills. It is best to prepare for the worst and hope it doesn't happen. You should be able to get job seekers allowance, which is a small non means tested taxable benefit based on your NI contributions, but there is a backlog of claims for that at the moment.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

If you are concerned, I suggest you ask ACAS. That's what they do, answer queries like yours every day. Take a look at their website and ring them if you need further help. Simple.

Pehaps we should take a step back and everyone take a deep breath. Lockdown is taking it's toll on a lot of people.

Flying Handbag, no matter what you decide, I hope you get better soon. There are 74 replies to this thread not counting this one....more than enough advice for you to sort it out and take some action. The only other thing I would ask is that you let us know how you made out, because we care.

I have no idea how I ended up on this thread.....Sorry, my reply was for someone else.......Ahgh!!

I know several people who have looked for, found and managed to start new jobs, in the last two months, all working from home, all the technology/laptops etc needed being sent to your address. There are jobs out there, so do not loose heart.
Be flexible and imaginative.

Furlough pay for June & July Is as normal 80%

August 80% no Employers NI and pension refunds to employers.

In September it drops from 80% to 70% and the employer has to make this up to the additional 10% to make it back up to 80%.

In October it drops from 80% to 60% and the employer has to make this up to the additional 20% to make it back up to 80%.