Return from furlough to a mountain of work

kayak83

Hello,
My company furloughed a number of employees and the workload of the furloughed employees was distributed amounts the remaining employees (I was one that remained working at this point) - I’m sure this has happened in many companies. 

There was then a second wave of furlough where almost the whole workforce was put on furlough, just a couple of staff remained and some managers. I was furloughed at this point, yet my work has continued to mount up and no one else has been covering for me in any way. On returning to work there is a mountain of work to catch up on. By furloughing my role, is the company not saying that my role is not required at that time? But with the workload still coming in, and waiting for me to return surely that means that the role was required and as such I shouldn’t have been furloughed?

Is this just morally wrong? Or is it wrong in other ways too?

Would I have any grounds to raise a formal complaint?

Thanks for reading. 

[Deleted User]

It's a very good result for you.

The company knows they still need you so you'll hopefully keep your job.  Those who come back to a clear desk will be looking for alternative employment.

You can certainly  complaini you wish, but have something else lined up before you do.  It's a very tough employment market out there now.

Semple

It might appear morally wrong, but an increasing workload doesn't necessarily mean that the company is still making an income*. That would then be grounds for placing staff on furlough.

*due to covid19

Jeremy535897

Sounds like every holiday I ever took. All waiting until I came back.

jayzor

Raise a formal complaint!? I think it would be a better idea to give your head a wobble, have a look at the bigger picture and maybe crack on and be thankful you have a job! just a thought!

LadyDee

My daughter tells me she's very busy at work "thank goodness".

Diamandis

Are they asking you to work more hours to catch up? If you're still working the same hours but are just a bit busier then there's no grounds to complain. 

Grumpy_chap

What exactly would the grounds of the complaint be?

Jonesy1977

You were furloughed because the company could not afford to pay your wages whilst tackling the uncertainty, pressure and possible refinancing needed to open up and secure your (and your colleagues) jobs.  I suggest you do lodge a complaint, it will be helpful for the company to know who they can (and cant) rely on if and when they have to take more drastic cost cutting action. I would imagine that when your complaint is received your employer will be shocked and appalled in equal measure. 

GDB2222

Thanks for this thread. It reassures me that there’s still a sense of humour in the gloom.

[Deleted User]

Get yourself a helper - make a case for it. Could change things for a jobless person.
One thing going into work to welcome a new person against everything that's happened was such a good positive thing.
Felt the dark cloud lift. Finished work at 6pm as opposed to 8pm getting there.
(God ..lived to tell the tale of caught looking elsewhere when busy and something good happened!) 🙋 Never be to proud to ask for help.