Furloughed Job Rules
Furloughed in March; just extended until Sept 8. If I take another job in interim will my company still offer me my job back? Can I work during furlough? Do they have to either offer me my job or some type of buy out or can they just never offer anything to me? I can only find jobs that pay a fraction of my former salary so I need to return to that job, but I can’t keep waiting. what is the company obligated to do?
Terry Says
Whew, that IS a tough question to answer. I did some research, and this is the best article I could find on the subject: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/29/what-to-know-about-looking-for-a-new-job-while-youre-furloughed.html
A few things stand out to me:
1. Check with the HR department and see if there are any limitations on part-time work as part of their company furlough announcement. Yes, that raises the possibiity that they’ll think you aren’t “loyal” — but most likely these days they will understand desperation, and you want to make clear that you really want to return to your old job, and this would only be part-time.
2. If you are getting health insurance while on furlough, or other retirement benefits are continuing to accrue (such as employer 40l(k) or pension benefits) then make sure — in writing– that part time work won’t invalidate those benefits!
3. Figure out how much you could earn — and whether it will be worthwhile to get off unemployment Yes, the $600 is scheduled to end in two weeks, but likely Congress will provide some last-minute extension.
Even if you decide to stick it out on furlough, do keep looking — because you just might find an even better-paying job, given your experience.
