Boss Not So Subtly Forcing Me Back To Work

Thrugelmir

BigMac79 said:

but I do kinda want to kick up a stink just to get back at him as this behaviour is clearly unacceptable. 

The pot calling the kettle black. 

JamoLew

Nothing wrong with a manger wanting to have things done the way he wants - after all, he’s the one in charge.

Granted there may be other aspects that would consider him being classed as a “bully boss”
Often it’s due to the employees deciding they are going to ignore the bosses instructions and doing things their way that triggers management being more forceful with their demands/instructions which they then interpret as bullying or controlling

theoretica

unforeseen said:

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.

That is no longer true - it was changed to 18 a while back https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

My employer asks staff on furlough or working from home to let HR know if they are isolating and so would be unable to come in if called - reducing the risk of not being able to come in when called.

BigMac79

Apologies, I havent made myself very clear ref my situation.

My ex wife had insisted that I provide childcare during this lockdown as the kids would be off school and she was returning to work full time. I had this conversation with my boss and said in an ideal world I would need 2-3 days per week but would take it unpaid if need be and would also work every Saturday to make up my time off (I usually work alternate Saturdays). I did ask for furlough obviously as it was the best option for me - I actually asked for part time furlough covering the days required. They decided to furlough me full time.

I am also in a support bubble with my elderly father so on the days my ex had the kids I would often travel to see him, stay overnight and then drive back. I came to see him last Thursday before my return to work, he started coughing heavily on Friday and got worse throughout the day. I took him to be tested hoping the results would come back before I had to go home as I didnt want the kids to end up having to stay home for another 2 weeks. I stayed at my dads whilst awaiting his results. It came back positive on Monday so now I am stuck here as I defintely have to isolate. Plus given that my dad doesnt go out, the probability is that I am asymptomatic and I gave him it!

I have no problem returning to work, I have been looking forward to it. I earn a lot more money being there selling cars than I do on furlough. The furlough money itself isn't even the issue, my job is not my only source of income, it is something I do out of enjoyment more than anything. Moving on doesnt bother me, I can easily make up the lost income in consultancy work that I do or I can not make it up and I'm not short by any stretch!

This isnt about wanting to be paid to sit at home and do nothing, nor is it about any resentment about having to go back to work to earn money. I was just pretty shocked with the attitude of trying to get me back in when legally I have to self isolate.

justworriedabit

HampshireH said:

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.

You may "not see the problem" as detailed by the OP but it is a problem for them, hence their post.
We all have different levels of everything that makes us what we are and if someone posts here for help, I won't be saying that.
It is the OP's experience, perception of the situation and that is fine by me.

justworriedabit

BigMac79 said:

Apologies, I havent made myself very clear ref my situation.

My ex wife had insisted that I provide childcare during this lockdown as the kids would be off school and she was returning to work full time. I had this conversation with my boss and said in an ideal world I would need 2-3 days per week but would take it unpaid if need be and would also work every Saturday to make up my time off (I usually work alternate Saturdays). I did ask for furlough obviously as it was the best option for me - I actually asked for part time furlough covering the days required. They decided to furlough me full time.

I am also in a support bubble with my elderly father so on the days my ex had the kids I would often travel to see him, stay overnight and then drive back. I came to see him last Thursday before my return to work, he started coughing heavily on Friday and got worse throughout the day. I took him to be tested hoping the results would come back before I had to go home as I didnt want the kids to end up having to stay home for another 2 weeks. I stayed at my dads whilst awaiting his results. It came back positive on Monday so now I am stuck here as I defintely have to isolate. Plus given that my dad doesnt go out, the probability is that I am asymptomatic and I gave him it!

I have no problem returning to work, I have been looking forward to it. I earn a lot more money being there selling cars than I do on furlough. The furlough money itself isn't even the issue, my job is not my only source of income, it is something I do out of enjoyment more than anything. Moving on doesnt bother me, I can easily make up the lost income in consultancy work that I do or I can not make it up and I'm not short by any stretch!

This isnt about wanting to be paid to sit at home and do nothing, nor is it about any resentment about having to go back to work to earn money. I was just pretty shocked with the attitude of trying to get me back in when legally I have to self isolate.

Thank you for the additional post. I hear you and am on your side. In times like this one would expect a bit more flexibility. 
I hope ti works out for you.

sheramber

He is not getting back at you he is following the rules of furlough.
Furlough is not intended ro cover self isolation and you employer would be fined by HMRC if found out to have used it. HMRC do check employers furlough payments.
Company sick pay, SSP, annual leave or unpaid leave are the options.

BigMac79

The worst part is that my job can be done from home. I worked from home when we had an outbreak in the dealership and PHE shut us down for 10 days. For some reason they have decided that is not viable this time.

Thrugelmir

justworriedabit said:

BigMac79 said:

Apologies, I havent made myself very clear ref my situation.

My ex wife had insisted that I provide childcare during this lockdown as the kids would be off school and she was returning to work full time. I had this conversation with my boss and said in an ideal world I would need 2-3 days per week but would take it unpaid if need be and would also work every Saturday to make up my time off (I usually work alternate Saturdays). I did ask for furlough obviously as it was the best option for me - I actually asked for part time furlough covering the days required. They decided to furlough me full time.

I am also in a support bubble with my elderly father so on the days my ex had the kids I would often travel to see him, stay overnight and then drive back. I came to see him last Thursday before my return to work, he started coughing heavily on Friday and got worse throughout the day. I took him to be tested hoping the results would come back before I had to go home as I didnt want the kids to end up having to stay home for another 2 weeks. I stayed at my dads whilst awaiting his results. It came back positive on Monday so now I am stuck here as I defintely have to isolate. Plus given that my dad doesnt go out, the probability is that I am asymptomatic and I gave him it!

I have no problem returning to work, I have been looking forward to it. I earn a lot more money being there selling cars than I do on furlough. The furlough money itself isn't even the issue, my job is not my only source of income, it is something I do out of enjoyment more than anything. Moving on doesnt bother me, I can easily make up the lost income in consultancy work that I do or I can not make it up and I'm not short by any stretch!

This isnt about wanting to be paid to sit at home and do nothing, nor is it about any resentment about having to go back to work to earn money. I was just pretty shocked with the attitude of trying to get me back in when legally I have to self isolate.

Thank you for the additional post. I hear you and am on your side. In times like this one would expect a bit more flexibility. 

Unfortunately for many the flexibility is going to come with redundancy. At the end of the day employment is a two way relationship. People are paid to undertake duties prescribed by their employers. When push comes to shove, management has a good handle on those employees who aren't fully engaged. 

booneruk

justworriedabit said:

HampshireH said:

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.

You may "not see the problem" as detailed by the OP but it is a problem for them, hence their post.
We all have different levels of everything that makes us what we are and if someone posts here for help, I won't be saying that.
It is the OP's experience, perception of the situation and that is fine by me.

If anyone takes umbrage at an employers' request for them to work and suffers this "problem" then they can seek alternative employment, as has been mentioned several times now.