Boss Not So Subtly Forcing Me Back To Work

BigMac79

I have been on furlough during this lockdown due to childcare issues. I had asked to be furloughed part time as I only needed 3 days a week to sort the kids out and I could then work Saturdays too so would be there 3 days out of a 5.5 day week average. Work refused as it is a sales role and they felt that having a part time salesman wouldn’t work, which I agree with to be fair. 

When i raised my childcare issues he immediately told me nobody would be put on furlough under any circumstances so I told him I’d need to take exceptional parental leave and if it had to be unpaid then so be it. I said I’d make a formal request to HR and copy him on the email. Within minutes I was back in his office with him telling me they would furlough me. 

So I was due back March 8th but notified them that the kids return to school was staggered so March 15th would be better. I thought they had agreed but then my boss contacted me to return on 8th. I said I couldn’t as was with my dad and he had tested positive and I couldn’t go home because of it as then the kids may have to isolate too (dad lives over 100 miles away). Boss told me to get tested which I did. When it came back negative he wanted me back at work. I told him the law says I have to self isolate regardless of a negative test. He then told me he’s taken me off furlough and I will now only get SSP. He emailed me some paperwork yesterday - dated 5th March about coming off furlough, standard employment t&cs to resume etc.

He is a bit of a bully boy anyway, it’s very much his way or no way. He’s definitely one of those people who begrudges anyone having time off - apart from himself of course. I’m thinking I should just hand my notice in as this has definitely left a sour taste in my mouth on top of his previous unreasonable behaviours (changing payplan commissions with no notice, changing working hours and reducing days off with minimal notice. When I didn’t agree to either his attitude is “go find a new job then”). I don’t really need the money to be honest but I do kinda want to kick up a stink just to get back at him as this behaviour is clearly unacceptable. I work for a large family run PLC. He’s middle management and isn’t in the family, he’s only been there a few months longer than me.

JamoLew

Furlough is entirely up to the employer - whilst on furlough, you still have to be available to work

If you are isolating/unable to work then SSP is correct -- if you weren't isolating and were just unable (unwilling) to work then unpaid leave/annual leave/dismissal would be the options available

Whilst some employers are more sympathetic than others regarding personal circumstances and childcare issues etc - ultimately, It's your problem, not theirs

They are paying you to work 

If you don't like you, you have a free choice to resign and find another employer

BigMac79

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

DCFC79

BigMac79 said:

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

I thought car dealerships were to close until next month anyway ?
Must be a small one as I see smaller dealerships are open near me, just not the national ones.

poppy12345

DCFC79 said:

BigMac79 said:

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

I thought car dealerships were to close until next month anyway ?

They are still open, just not for test drives etc. My son is law works for a well known car dealers and he's been to work all through this lockdown.

DCFC79

poppy12345 said:

DCFC79 said:

BigMac79 said:

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

I thought car dealerships were to close until next month anyway ?

They are still open, just not for test drives etc. My son is law works for a well known car dealers and he's been to work all through this lockdown.

Ok clearly Im wrong.
The Puegeot one near me was closed and could,only sell cars via zoom etc then click and collect the car.

poppy12345

Yes but that doesn't mean there's no one there. To be honest child care is not their problem.

JamoLew

BigMac79 said:

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

Because you are on furlough to protect your job and are currently being paid 80% (I assume) wage to sit around doing nothing

They now require you be actually be present and work - but for whatever reason, you can't/won't

If you are isolating, you are effectively "sick" - SSP is correct

BigMac79

DCFC79 said:

BigMac79 said:

I am resigning. That’s not even in question to be fair. 

My issue is how he thinks it’s ok to try to force me into work (it’s completely dead by the way. It’s a car dealership) whilst I should be isolating is unacceptable. His wife is also a nurse which is something he loves to bang on about. It’s not like I want to be at home either, ideally I would have worked 3 days per week, and I was looking forward to getting back. The timing of this is unfortunate. Moving on is something that had been on my mind for a while but I love my colleagues and the place as a whole, he’s just an idiot. 

I thought car dealerships were to close until next month anyway ?
Must be a small one as I see smaller dealerships are open near me, just not the national ones.

It’s a big one for a large premium brand. Only open for click and collect but all staff are physically onsite. 

Barny1979

Employer wanting employee to work shocker.

unforeseen

I can see that the number of this type of thread will grow over the coming weeks as employers want their staff back in work prepping for re-opening.