Furloughed and working

Jungledangle

Here is my brief story. I am a chef and was in full-time employment before lockdown. When lockdown came, my boss was unsure if they would be able to furlough us (that's another story) so told us to find other jobs asap. I accepted a position at our local hospital as a chef and now, as it turns out, we are all getting furloughed from our previous employment but I also have a job now that I have made a commitment to for the next couple of months and I am needed there. My position at the hospital would not be enough for me to live on but combined with the furlough payments, I am making more than I would've been. I feel guilty for essentially profiting from this situation.
Am i doing anything wrong here?
Is this going to come back and bite me in the future?

Mrsn

Was it in writing that they told you to get other jobs ASAP.

Many other people have took on alternative work whilst they are being furloughed so I wouldn’t say you are profiting. The risk you have is that they can recall you from furlough at anytime and I’m wondering how the hospital will view that?

Grumpy_chap

The rules of furlough allow to to be furloughed from one company and work for another (subject to breach of employment contract with the first - but your boss suggested to work elsewhere so that should not be a problem).

As a chef, and the PMs statement this evening said not until July at the earliest that hospitality can reopen, unless your normal work is an excepted area, little chance of you being called back in with short notice.

If you are profiting from the situation and that makes you feel bad, why not donate everything you earn above your normal wages to charity?

Jungledangle

It was in a text message we were told.
The hospital job is a temporary contract for as long as I'm needed during this crisis and, I would imagine, by the time restaurants and bars re-open, I would no longer be needed anyway.
A charity donation is s good idea. I feel a bit better about it all now.
Thanks for the words of wisdom.

sharpe106

Lots of people will be making more, furloughed on 80% then got a second job. Other way of looking at it is that you are contributing to the effort, NHS staff and patients need to eat. I would not give the hospital job up yet as it could be awhile until you can go back to work and potentially the scheme might be less generous in the future. Charity donation is good idea if you feel bad earning more then normal.