Money Moral Dilemma: Should I take my job back after being let go when lockdown began?

Jaytee966

Firstly, if you are claiming benefits, eg New style JSA and/or Universal Credit if you turn the offer down your benefits may be reduced for 6 months for refusing suitable employment. Additionally, you would be better off working than not. I'd go back to work but keep looking for a another job.

moving2015

Absolutely yes, take the job back. The market is already awful out there and I’m seeing thousands applying for roles. I’m caught in the #Newstarterjustice nightmare. My new job offer rescinded before starting and former employer refused to rehire me and furlough me. No income at all now. Applying for any jobs getting no response. I’d love to be approached by the company that I was due to start with. They are sadly making redundancies now and certainly not recruiting. My former employer is also making redundancies too, so basically I’m in an awful situation!!!!

shalton

Take your job back, but look for a better job/employer. Then you can dump them when you are ready.

DPS-2016

Don't shoot yourself in the foot.  
Go back to work (you need the money as you've said) and continue looking for new jobs (presumably you've already started your search during your time off).  
It's worth noting that they could have offered to defer your furlough payments if there were cashflow issues - which is completely understandable during this crisis particularly for small business.  

ratockas

It’s much better to find a new job while you have one and have money coming in, than when you don’t have any income at all. 

Take their offer and also look for a new job straight away. 

Alternatively take their job but do some kind of training in your own time to become your own boss or move into a higher position at a new company. 

You don’t owe them anything so don’t feel bad about it. 

hollycatherine

I would take the job back and then when everything is more stable and more people are taking on, I’d look for another job where you can feel secure and safe. Hope you are not worrying too much if you do take your job back!!

Pollycat

MSE_Kelvin said:

My employer refused to furlough me, saying it couldn't afford to pay 80% of my salary until Government help came through, and put me on a one-week notice. With the lockdown rules easing slightly in our part of the country, I've now been offered my job back. While I need the money, should I go back when I'd be worrying about job security – as if the lockdown is tightened again or the business struggles, it could do the same thing again? Or should I look for a job elsewhere, where I may feel more secure? 

Do whatever feels right for you - and your family if you have one.

I'm astonished that anyone would ask a bunch of random strangers on t'interweb for advice on a subject like this.

No clue what skills they may have so how easy it might be to get another job elsewhere.

silvercar

This isn't a relationship where your ex has asked you back out. It is business and your employer made a business decision. Don't take it personally.

chunkygump

If I were this person, I would take the job, earn the money and get active looking for a new job. Put a fake smile on or whatever it takes, then get something better where you are treated with more respect. Good luck!

tgroom57

To answer the obvious question - yes go back if you are happy doing so.  On the plus side you should pay less tax for a bit (unless you have earnings elsewhere).   Keep an eye on your "paid to date" information.

I presume there is a way to check that employers in this position have not been claiming furlough.