Can I be asked to do some work whilst on furlough

Worker678

Hi, Quick one.  Pretty sure i am to be put on furlough from the 1st of April.  My employer will no doubt come to me with odd questions like "could you just do this / that" or "can you dial in and fix this".  I guess when furloughed i do NO work?  Am i correct?  
Many thanks.

sharpe106

Yes it means no work
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

gary83

Correct, No work for the company that furloughs you

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

calcotti

Although I am sure the rules are not going to be strictly obeyed.

neilmcl

Worker678 said:

Hi, Quick one.  Pretty sure i am to be put on furlough from the 1st of April.  My employer will no doubt come to me with odd questions like "could you just do this / that" or "can you dial in and fix this".  I guess when furloughed i do NO work?  Am i correct?  
Many thanks.

Furlough entails now work, period. Every 3 weeks or so the employer will have to apply for the grant and each time they're going to have to declare that you have been fully furloughed throughout the 3 week period. If they can't do that and continue to claim then they will be committing fraud.

sharpe106

I am fairly sure plenty of companies will put pressure on to staff to work. Sure there will even be staff who have been furloughed and will not know about it.  

Worker678

Many thanks all.  

neilmcl

sharpe106 said:

I am fairly sure plenty of companies will put pressure on to staff to work. Sure there will even be staff who have been furloughed and will not know about it.  

They may well do this but they (the employers) will be ones in trouble if they are found out.

Worker678

Turns out they said i may be put on furlough or reduced pay.  Hmmm

sharpe106

Depends on what your contract says to if they can put you on reduced pay or not have a read.

Worker678

I im not sure but will dig out contract.  i suspect they want to furlough me but keep me for the essential tasks i do (couple of hours a day). its all a bit weird all round so i know its just not me.  Reduced pay is not great for me.  Better off furloughed i think!  Thanks again all.