Boss Not So Subtly Forcing Me Back To Work

tripled

Furlough is at the discretion of the employer, there is no obligation on them to furlough an employee when asked and unfortunately you have no say in that. While on furlough, the employer still incurs costs such as pension, payroll taxes and holiday accrual, and counts towards length of service, so it should be seen as a benefit, not a right. If you are no longer on furlough then SSP would be correct.

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. They wanted you to work, but you kicked up a fuss, so they put you on furlough even though there is no obligation for them to. They have been incurring costs while you were on furlough, meanwhile other employees are picking up the slack. When they insisted you come back to work, first of all you resisted, requesting another week, and when that wasn't given, claimed you needed to isolate.

I'm not questioning that your manager may be an unreasonable bully, and that alone is reason to look for another role, nor questioning that your need to self isolate is genuine. However, it does seem to me that, overall, the business has been very accomodating and perhaps their patience is wearing a little thin.

justworriedabit

poppy12345 said:

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

TBH, child care is their problem as every good employer must take into consideration an employees child care needs and be reasonably flexible.
I hope it works out for you, OP.

unforeseen

As the children were due to go back to school (ops words not mine) then parental leave does not apply. It is only available where a child is under 5.
Sounds like op has fired both barrels with one being a dud to little effect. I agree, employer has bent over backwards up to now and doesn't like the fact that they now have to give up their cushy life and work for their money. 

warby68

justworriedabit said:

poppy12345 said:

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

TBH, child care is their problem as every good employer must take into consideration an employees child care needs and be reasonably flexible.
I hope it works out for you, OP.

They already have but now its seemingly at an end. 
OP has moved to needing time off to self isolate in any case and cannot care for the children as they are apparently 100 miles away.

elsien

justworriedabit said:

poppy12345 said:

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

TBH, child care is their problem as every good employer must take into consideration an employees child care needs and be reasonably flexible.
I hope it works out for you, OP.

Just to point out, OPs employer has been reasonably flexible for a number of months now. There are limits. SSP has been offered, which is correct. How much more flexible do you expect them to be? 

zzyzx1221

Just to point out, OPs employer has been reasonably flexible for a number of months now. There are limits. SSP has been offered, which is correct. How much more flexible do you expect them to be? 

Have a look at their other posts and you should get a reasonable idea.

HampshireH

I really cannot see the problem here.

Your employer gave you furlough to look after your kids. As you requested.

You have then travelled 100miles away in lockdown and are unable to look after your kids so therefore no requirement for furlough.

Instead your reason for now not working is isolating and therefore SSP would apply.

Your now calling your employer a bully when they are simply following the rules and putting you on SSP. If you have evidence of historical bullying of course that's valid. But the word bully in the scenario described isn't.

They aren't forcing you back to work as you will be going on SSP. 

As you are resigning I would suggest not citing bullying unless you have evidence of it.

elsien

Out of interest, is your employer aware that despite being furloughed for childcare reasons you are not currently providing childcare? 

JamoLew

justworriedabit said:

poppy12345 said:

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

TBH, child care is their problem as every good employer must may take into consideration an employees child care needs and be reasonably flexible.
I hope it works out for you, OP.

Fixed that for you

Barny1979

OP has moved temporarily 100 miles away to father's house, not particularly making themselves available to work if required.