Sunday 20 June 2021

What? Go to work !

 CityAM have an article about people who are on furlough not wanting to go back to work. Andrea Leadsom says, 'Some people, like those with gardens who have been growing their own vegetables, did not want to leave furlough because it has been great. They are afraid of returning to work.' 

Some 11.5 million jobs have been supported by the scheme, people have been paid to stay at home. They have been on it for so long they are thinking about going back part time or retiring altogether. Employers are going to find they have staff shortages, as people will be reluctant to change their routine. 

I remember the relief I felt when I reached 60 and was able to retire. Having to go to work to make enough money to pay for my mortgage just wasn't enjoyable any more. I worked for an agency and was able to pick and choose my hours so I reduced them. I stayed in the same job, at B&Q, which suited me. An easy job which wasn't far to travel to. It was convenient. 

One day the agency asked me if I would do some work for another company which was about 15 miles away. I agreed to do it because I needed to earn some money. The work at B&Q had gone quiet. I was asked to go there straight away so I packed a day bag and off I went in my car. 

Within ten minutes of starting out panic overtook me. I went into Morrisons car park and broke down completely. I couldn't face going to a new job. It was a bit strange because I had worked for agencies for years and it never bothered me. In fact I was grateful that I had the opportunity of driving different vehicles and loads. I was never bored. But that was when I was young and keen. Now in my mid fifties, I was comfortable to stay at B&Q, at a job I knew. I had to ring the agency and tell them I couldn't go to the new job. I felt bad to let them down, but I was in no fit state to pilot a 40 tonner. 

My wages dropped a bit more because I limited myself to only working for B&Q. Time was more important than money. But as you know, I survived. 

I can well understand how some people who have been furloughed don't want to go back to work. They have found a new life, and being paid 80% of your wages is quite a good deal. They must feel like I did when I retired, freedom to do what you like. It's hard to give it up when you have had a taste of it. 

I wonder if the Government thought of this when they devised the scheme. That people would find other things to do with their time, and be reluctant to make the change again and go back to work. The furlough scheme is set to end in September, but what is going to happen then? This article in the Sun doesn't seem to be able to answer that question, it's all very confusing.  

I suspect that in September the whole merry-go-round will start again with the Autumn flu on it's way in. I can't see an end to this. 

What's the weather going to do today? I'm waiting for a guaranteed sunny day to go off and do another walk. I've put extra clothes on, it's a bit chilly. Looking like a local walk this afternoon if it doesn't rain. 

Enjoy your Sunday. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona

19 comments:

  1. We are having the same issues here, with folks who don't want to (or are afraid to) return to work. They're being paid to not work, and apparently enough to be able to continue to stay home. Businesses here are desperate for people to work. I see signs all over "Hiring." A neighbor's daughter is cooking for a nursing home, and already they've given her more than a $5 an hour increase (in less than 2 weeks of employment) to try and keep her there. Amazon is having a tough time filling their giant warehouses with workers. I've been retired and on pension completely since 2017, I am 60, and for sure I know I couldn't face going back to work. I have a dog//cat/house sitting business that keeps me going. No need to go into an office, or have to deal with lots of people and personalities! Only the lovely animals. It quite suits me! People around here love their animals as much as children and are willing to pay well (and cash!) to keep their dogs at home, rather than boarding them. I am free to say no at any time, due to my schedule. It's a great life!

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    1. Glad it's working out for you. If a person has multiple talents and can be flexible with their working hours, I feel there are opportunities out there, as you have proved.

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  2. There's already staff shortages in lots of sectors but surely people will have to go back to work when furlough ends.
    I hated going out to work and was glad of my 3 children giving me a reason to stay at home! Being self employed with the campsite was fun but retirement is even better

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    1. I think some people will go back to work when furlough ends, but I think it will be replaced by something else and people will continue to take handouts. There will be a Universal Credit System. Some of them will feel too traumatised to go to work, but some of them will be swinging the lead.

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  3. It will be very interesting to see how things pan out all around the world. I was retired for two years but got bored - and needed some extra funds - so two years ago I went back to an office job for 25 hours per week - and flexible hours. We were ordered home on March 17, 2020 and it was 6 weeks before I went back to my office and that was only to pick up a laptop that was set up for me to use at home (my personal laptop is on its last legs and couldn't handle all the programs I need).
    During the worst of things I only went into the office once per month to do a few things that I couldn't do from home. I am now back to two mornings per week in the office (I'm working on a project that requires me to actually be on site) and the rest of the time I work from home.

    I have been paid my regular salary - with some help from the govt. business assistance and using our line of credit (we have a large trust fund that will more than cover things) so I have been very lucky. I wouldn't mind going in for 3 days per week and then two days working from home as we move towards reopening and my office mate feels the same way so we'll have to see how it all works out. It is the commuting that gets to people more than anything over here. I travel 45 minutes to an hour on two subway trains there and back and many people who live in the suburbs commute up to two hours per day each way - this is not unusual. Just having that time back makes a big difference.

    For me personally, I know that it's good to have a reason to get up, dressed (properly) and out the door so I won't object to going back at least a few days per week - but I would like some flexibility. I think if businesses are prepared to be flexible then people will adjust and continue to do a good job. I'm not sure how it will be for those who have been at home and not working at all - it will be much more difficult for them. And yes, there have been a lot of people who have decided to retire - my dentist and hygienist included! I also expect that there will be more than a few law suits before things are sorted.

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    1. Thank you for the insight on what is happening in your part of the world. I think it's important for mental health to have a routine which requires a person to get up in the morning.

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  4. I took early retirement from teaching owing to work related stress and severe depression. I continued tutoring and exam marking (self employed) until Covid hit and all work dried up. I now live on my (small) teachers pension and although I have given up my car I feel very thankful that I can manage and love to have the time to do just what I want. I’m 62 now nearly 63 and am happy as can be walking my dog and pottering at home. I’m with Sue on this one. I never wanted to go out to work. I always rebelled against it because it interfered with doing what I wanted. Here’s to a long and happy retirement. Tricia

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    1. Nice to know you are making a better quality of life for yourself. Long may it last.

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  5. Ilona, I can understand the older people who have actually "worked" for a living. The problem here is little millennials who have never done a hard day's work in their lives. They don't want to work. I say - TOO BAD! Get to work and earn those wages! I am sick of their "Be Kind" attitudes while they live off the hard work of their elders.

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    1. I so agree with you Cate.The area where I live I am surrounded with young families who think that the world owes them a living,while they sit on their lazy backsides drinking beer and smoking weed all day.

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    2. Oh I am SO pleased it's not just me who feels this way! I started a new job in February 2020 and was there barely a month before the restaurant closed down and I was furloughed for nine weeks. We got back to work on June 3rd 2020 as we have drive thru and since then we've all worked...albeit with rigorous sanitising regimes, face masks, temperature checks etc. Yet up here in Northumberland so many offices etc are STILL on furlough and getting appointments to actually speak to somebody in person rather than wait for them to call you is a pain in the proverbial...and tricky when you work full-time as I do! We've started getting folks back into the restaurant to sit down and that has been great to get back to some sort of normality. But yes, it's time the Furlough Generation got themselves sorted and back to work! Pleading anxiousness and fear just doesn't cut it with me - this virus is here to stay and we'll just have to learn to live with it.

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  6. I'm a bit tired of people collecting CERB (our governments stay at home pay). I'm tired of hearing about new hobbies they picked up, books they've read, weight they've lost because they were able to "focus on themselves".

    I've worked this entire pandemic because I'm a nurse. I've been shunned by a family member because "I might bring it home from the hospital", shouted out by a woman in the supermarket by a woman in her 80s because it was seniors hour and I should be waiting my turn. I had to point out that I was over 60 AND a healthcare worker and had as much right to be there as her!

    This pandemic has allowed selfish people to become more selfish.

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    1. I also work for the NHS and am facing more abuse than normal. Probably like yourself am exhausted and had enough.

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    2. It's sad that people are blaming the NHS and verbally attacking the staff. The Government should be coming under fire for the systematic running down of it over the years, and the mismanagement of funding for the whole covid debacle. Billions poured into bullying us into submission. No wonder people are becoming anxious about the future. The more people comply the more they will pile on the guilt and make out it's our fault that we are in this mess. It's time to say no more.

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  7. It sounds like USA as well. So many people got more money on unemployment and stimulus checks as well. Many places looking for workers. I retired in April as I have a hard time with my neck muscles that are still tight after my injury last year. No jobs that would work for me, especially lifting 50 pounds. I wouldn't mind working to get more money but I do get a check from social security which helps. I am working to get house cleared out and look much better in a couple rooms.
    Life seems to have changed here on earth but we need to continue to live life and be kind and work and buy from local stores. I rarely buy anything from Amazon. Have a good week!

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    1. We have to get on with it Grandma. Reject the apps to track us, pay with cash whenever we can, don't buy from Amazon, and do the best for ourselves.

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  8. I can understand how you felt Ilona when you went for that new job and had to travel.A panic attack is horrible and so frightening.xx

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    1. It was so unlike me, I had no control over it. Me the fearless one who would jump in any motor and go off down the road. I feel embarrassed mentioning it.

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  9. I am not sure if my comment has just gone through.Blooming lap top playing up again!xx

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