How to manage your wellbeing while

furloughed
These are already uncertain times for us all, and with more than
nine million of us expected to be placed on temporary leave or
'furloughed' due to coronavirus, this may create even greater
challenges in relation to your mental health. It is therefore
important to take care of your wellbeing during this time with
support from your employer. For more information about
furloughing, ACAS has put together this guide on furloughing for
employees and employers.
This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
What impact could being furloughed have on your
wellbeing?

Being furloughed might represent an opportunity for taking a

break from working in challenging conditions but you may also
face some other challenges during this time.

These may include feeling that daily life lacks structure or that you
lack purpose and motivation. This could lead to a decrease in
your levels of self-esteem and self-worth. In the short-term, you
may have financial concerns due to your income being reduced or
have longer-term fears of being made redundant.
Social distancing, self-isolation and not being in contact with your
colleagues may increase feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Having too much time to think about the current situation may be
overwhelming and trigger new mental health problems or make
existing ones worse. Alternatively, you may find yourself with less
time and struggling with additional caring responsibilities if you
are looking after children or vulnerable relatives.

Here are some steps you can take to cope with these potential challenges:

1. Establish a routine

Your employer may be able to help you to create a routine action

plan to plan your time while on furlough. This can help you to
identify any personal or professional goals that you may want to
focus on and steps you can take to stay well.

2. Talk to colleagues

It is important to keep in regular contact with your colleagues

(whether they are also furloughed or not). With 60% of people
saying that loneliness is currently making their mental health
worse**, keeping in touch with your colleagues will help you feel
more connected and less isolated

3. Create shared goals

Consider teaming up with your workmates to achieve shared

goals. This can give you something to work towards and help
create a sense of community with your colleagues as well as
being some fun to occupy your time. Think about setting a
creative or physical challenge or starting a virtual book or film
club.
4. Create a budget

Consider creating a budget, particularly if being furloughed means

you have taken a cut in pay.

Financial concerns can seriously affect your mental health so a

budget may enable you to manage both your money and your
wellbeing.

Organisations like the Money Advice Service can help you with

this. Also see if you can access any other financial assistance,
such as an interest-free overdraft or a mortgage, loan or credit
card holiday.

5. Look at your personal development 

Doing online training to achieve personal or professional goals

could help you to feel more motivated and boost your self-esteem.
For personal development, there are tutorials on YouTube, the
government has opened The Skills Toolkit website for free digital
and numeracy courses, and the Open University offers hundreds
of free courses.

Volunteering to help your community during this difficult time can

help you develop skills and experience as well as give you a
sense of purpose. The NCVO has put together this guide to
volunteering during the coronavirus outbreak.

6. Seek support from your employer

Your employer can help you stay connected to the organisation

and support your wellbeing while you are furloughed. Consider
asking about:
  regular one-to-one wellbeing check-ins, ideally via video call and
virtual team catch-ups;
 keeping you informed of any company developments;
 being available to discuss any work-related concerns you may have
about the current situation and the future.
7. Seek support from other areas

If you have developed a routine action plan, you may want to

share this with friends, family and workmates who can provide
support when you need it. If you find yourself struggling and your
company has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP),
remember that this will remain available to support you while you
are furloughed. If your employer does not offer an EAP service,
contact the Mind Infoline who can direct you to local support
services.

We've also got information on coronavirus and how to support

your mental health as well as resources from our Mental Health at
Work toolkit.

Other ways to get involved

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https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/coronavirus-and-work/support-if-youre-furloughed/

Coronavirus: What does it mean if I've

been furloughed by work?
By Eleanor LawrieBBC News
  29 May 2020
 
 Explainers
Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with
Whatsapp
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Bosses who have furloughed staff during the coronavirus crisis will have to start
paying a share of the government scheme from August.

The furlough scheme is designed to help people put on leave due to the coronavirus
outbreak, and to prevent employers having to make mass redundancies.

So how does it work and who is eligible?

What is furlough?
The government is currently paying the wages of more than a quarter of UK jobs
through its furlough programme - the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

It puts workers on leave and allows them to stay on the payroll.

About 8.4 million workers have been furloughed since March , with the government
paying 80% of their salaries up to £2,500 a month.

Companies can top up this pay if they choose and must let employees know they have
been furloughed.

The scheme - backdated to 1 March - opened to applications on 20 April. By the end of

May £15bn of claims had been made.

It will run until the end of October and is expected to end up costing about £80bn.
ADVERTISEMENT

What changes has the chancellor announced?

On 29 May, Mr Sunak announced two changes.

From 1 July, businesses can bring furloughed employees back to workplaces part-time,
a month earlier than previously announced.

It will be down to individual firms to decide what part-time means and pay the wages for
that time. They will be able to set the hours and shift patterns staff will work.

For example, Mr Sunak said an employer could bring someone back to work two days a
week. In that situation, the employer would pay for those days, while the furlough
scheme would cover the employee for the other three working days.

From 1 August, employers will have to pay national insurance and pension
contributions. Furloughed workers will continue to receive 80% of their pay.

In September, employers will then pay 10% of employees' salaries - rising to 20% in
October.

How can my business apply?

Check you are eligible for the scheme , and then work out how much to claim using
the government's online calculator .

You can claim 80% of your employees' wages - capped at £2,500 per employee per
month before tax, or £576.92 a week.

If employees are not paid set amounts each month - for example if they have returned
from maternity leave, or receive top-up pay - you will need to calculate your claim
manually, or seek professional advice.
ADVERTISEMENT
Furlough covers overtime and commission payments built in to an employee's salary,
but not discretionary payments such as tips or optional bonuses.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionNewcastle United was one of the first football clubs to announce it would furlough staff

All the money claimed must be paid to your workers, or to cover their national insurance
and pension payments, even if a firm is in administration.

HMRC will check your claim, and pay you through a UK bank account, if you are
eligible. Claims take about six working days to process.

Can I be put on furlough?

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionBritish Airways and EasyJet are among firms that will furlough a significant proportion of
staff

Potentially yes, if your company can't give you work to do because of the coronavirus
outbreak.

The scheme covers those who were on an employer's PAYE payroll on 19 March 2020.

This includes full-time and part-time workers, and employees on flexible, zero-hour or
agency contracts.

You must be furloughed for at least three weeks, and you can be furloughed more than
once.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThe hospitality industry has been badly affected, with restaurants bars and cafes
required to close for all but takeaways and deliveries

If you have been made redundant since 19 March, your former employer can re-hire
you under the scheme. But newly hired employees are not eligible.

Any UK organisation with employees can apply , but it will mainly be private sector
businesses and charities making a claim.

Apprentices can also be furloughed and continue their training. An individual can
furlough an employee, such as a nanny, if they are paid through PAYE.

The self-employed who are adversely affected by the virus are eligible for a taxable
grant of up to 80% of their average monthly profit, if they meet certain conditions.
 They must have been self-employed since at least the start of April 2019, and earn an
average of less than £50,000 in a tax year. Those who receive it can continue to work.

The grant is a one-off payment covering three months, up to a maximum of £7,500.

Will I still get sick pay and a bonus?

Anyone placed on furlough has the same employment rights as before. If you are ill you
are eligible for statutory sick pay or can be placed on furlough.

If you are on unpaid leave, shielding for health reasons or have caring responsibilities,
you are also eligible. Staff on maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave will
still receive statutory pay from the government.

Employers do not have to top up salaries that no longer reach the minimum wage.

 Coronavirus: Wages, sick pay and time off explained

 A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?

 AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
 WILL I GET PAID IF I CAN'T WORK? Rules on sick pay and wages
 LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
 STRESS: How to look after your mental health

Can I work or volunteer if I've been furloughed?

If you are placed on furlough you can't do any work for your employer. This will change
from July onwards when the government says furloughed workers can return on a part-
time basis.

You can volunteer in the community or even for your company as long as you aren't
creating revenue or providing a service. Employers can give employees additional
training, but must top up furlough payments if they do not reach minimum wage.

From July to October, you may be able to work part time, and be furloughed for the
remainder of your hours.

If you work for more than one firm, you can receive furlough from any of them, up to
£2,500 a month per employer.

You can continue working for any that still need you or for a new employer, provided
you are not breaching any existing contracts.

Is my job guaranteed when furlough ends?

Companies don't have to keep on any employees when furlough ends, and cannot use
these payments to subsidise redundancy packages.

The hope is that by the time the scheme ends, restrictions will have lifted and
businesses can start paying full salaries again.

More on this story

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/explainers-52135342

Workplace operations will be resuming within selected parts of the Metro, for
selected industries. In this #NewNormal, it takes a lot of adjustments between
management and employees because of the fear and trauma being faced by
both groups.

Upon resumption of workplace operations, 3 key areas must be given

attention to. These are also key aspects of organizational behavior, which are
of great importance as we slowly adapt towards face the new normal.

Individual Level: Mental Preparedness

It is expected that many employees will be facing fear, stress and anxiety.
This is especially the case for those who will still be taking public transport as
means for going to and from the office.

It is suggested to begin the first day with prayers, huddles, meals and catch-
up sessions to “break the ice” and set the tone for hope and positivity in the
workplace, which are both very much needed. These workplace practices
should also be done on a weekly basis as follow-through sessions, to help
everyone achieve a better mindset as they start working. Of course, social
distancing measures must be strictly followed.

Group Level: Emotional Support

Going back to the office has its pros and cons. Yes, it will be business as
usual, wherein operations may be more difficult because of work that was left
behind. On another note, being out of home is also an excitement for some,
especially for workaholics. Flexible work arrangements will definitely be
employed, resulting in a skeletal workforce. Nevertheless, talking to someone
is still one of the best forms of releasing tension.

Let us remember that everyone is in need of emotional support because of the

experiences each one has been through during the ECQ. Some may have lost
a loved one or maybe going through post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
Therefore, a lot of empathy is required. Other forms of emotional support,
such as constant communication are key. Indeed, a smile is a “free” form of
therapy.

Organizational Level: Cultural Re-adaptation

Each organization has its own unique culture. As hard as it may seem, the
new normal requires that organizations need to adapt. Behavioral changes of
various stakeholders such as employees, suppliers and customers are
expected. It is suggested to adapt a supportive and participative culture at this
point.

To set the tone right, it is suggested to re-open with a meeting, that has the
following agenda:
1. Thanksgiving and Introductory Remarks
2. Check on everyone’s condition
3. Review of flexible workplace policies and employee schedules
4. Process flow for GCQ precautionary measures, prior to entering the
workplace
5. “Open door” Policy

Following these points of discussion are usual work-related items,

responsibilities and revised deadlines. Typical periodic meetings and follow-
through sessions are still necessary.

#BusinessAsUsual in the #NewNormal.

Regardless of the company’s size, the workplace is expected to be disrupted
at the beginning. However, if individuals, groups and leaders of the
organization exert collaborative efforts to ensure a balanced workplace, in due
time, the workplace will be able to surpass this temporary challenge. This is
now the world of #BusinessAsUsual in the #NewNormal.

https://www.peoplemanager.ph/post/workplace-balance-in-the-newnormal?
fbclid=IwAR3rrjE2MRw5pwY5L4dduaInJa-Vbis09V15JnwFs0PkbFxmuirp1Cl35bI

The role of uncertainty in life

Uncertainty is all around us, never more so than today. The current COVID-19
pandemic has heightened uncertainty over the economy, employment, finances,
relationships, and of course, physical and mental health. Yet as human beings, we
crave security. We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives and well-
being. Fear and uncertainty can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless
over the direction of your life. It can drain you emotionally and trap you in a downward
spiral of endless “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios about what tomorrow may bring.

We’re all different in how much uncertainty we can tolerate in life. Some people seem to
enjoy taking risks and living unpredictable lives, while others find the randomness of life
deeply distressing. But all of us have a limit. If you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and
worry, it’s important to know that you’re not alone; many of us are in the same boat at
this time. It’s also important to realize that no matter how helpless and hopeless you
feel, there are steps you can take to better deal with uncontrollable circumstances,
alleviate your anxiety, and face the unknown with more confidence.

Learning to cope with uncertainty

While we may not wish to acknowledge it, uncertainty is a natural and unavoidable part
of life. Very little about our lives is constant or totally certain, and while we have control
over many things, we can’t control everything that happens to us. As the coronavirus
outbreak has shown, life can change very quickly and very unpredictably. You may
have suddenly become sick, lost your job, or found yourself struggling to put food on the
table or keep your family safe. You may be anxious about when the pandemic will end
or if life will ever return to normal.

To cope with all this uncertainty, many of us use worrying as a tool for trying to predict
the future and avoid nasty surprises. Worrying can make it seem like you have some
control over uncertain circumstances. You may believe that it will help you find a
solution to your problems or prepare you for the worst. Maybe if you just agonize over a
problem long enough, just think through every possibility, or read every opinion online,
you’ll find a solution and be able to control the outcome. Unfortunately, none of this
works. Chronic worrying can’t give you more control over uncontrollable events; it just
robs you of enjoyment in the present, saps your energy, and keeps you up at night. But
there are healthier ways to cope with uncertainty—and that begins with adjusting your
mindset.

The following tips can help you to:

 Focus on controlling those things that are under your control

 Challenge your need for certainty.

 Learn to better tolerate, even embrace, the inevitable uncertainty of life.

 Reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

Tip 1: Take action over the things you can control

Much about life is uncertain at the moment—and many things remain outside of your
control. But while you can’t control the spread of a virus, the recovery of the economy,
or whether you’ll have a pay check next week, you’re not totally powerless. Whatever
your fears or personal circumstances, instead of worrying about the uncontrollable, try
to refocus your mind on taking action over the aspects that are within your control.

For example, if you’ve lost your job or income during this difficult time, you still have
control over how much energy you put into searching online for work, sending out
resumes, or networking with your contacts. Similarly, if you’re worried about your health
amid the coronavirus pandemic, you can take action by regularly washing your hands,
cleaning surfaces, avoiding crowds, and looking out for vulnerable friends and
neighbors.

By focusing on the aspects of a problem that you can control in this way, you’ll switch
from ineffective worrying and ruminating into active problem-solving. Of course, all
circumstances are different and you may find that in some situations all you can control
is your attitude and emotional response.

Actively deal with your emotions

When circumstances are out of your control, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by fear
and negative emotions. You may think that bottling up how you feel, trying to put on a
brave face, or forcing yourself to be positive will provide the best outcome. But denying
or suppressing your emotions will only increase stress and anxiety and make you more
vulnerable to depression or burnout.

When you can do nothing else about a situation, you can still actively face up to your
emotions—even the most negative and fearful ones. Allowing yourself to experience
uncertainty in this way can help you reduce stress, better come to terms with your
circumstances, and find a sense of peace as you deal with challenges.

Tip 2: Challenge your need for certainty

While uncertainty and change are inescapable parts of life, we often adopt behaviors to
try to cope with the discomfort they can bring. In addition to worrying through every
possible scenario, you may:

Excessively seek reassurance from others. You repeatedly ask friends or loved ones
if you’re making the right decision, endlessly research information online, or seek out
expert advice in an effort to remove uncertainty from your life.

Micromanage people. You refuse to delegate tasks to others, either at work or home.
You may even try to force people around you to change, to make their behavior more
predictable for you.
Procrastinate. By not making decisions, you hope to avoid the uncertainty that
inevitably follows. You’ll find ways to delay or postpone acting—or even avoid certain
situations all together—in an attempt to prevent bad things from happening.

Repeatedly check things. You call or text your family, friends, or kids again and again
to make sure they’re safe. You check and re-check emails, texts, or forms before
sending, double-check lists to ensure you haven’t missed anything that could have
repercussions on the predictability of the future.

How to challenge these behaviors

You can challenge the behaviors you’ve adopted to alleviate the discomfort of
uncertainty by asking yourself the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of certainty? What are the disadvantages?

Life can change in a moment and it is filled with unexpected events and
surprises—but that’s not always a bad thing. For every unpleasant surprise,
such as a traffic accident or serious medical diagnosis, there are good things
that happen out of the blue as well—a dream job offer, a surprise pay rise, or
an unexpected phone call from an old friend. Opportunity often arises from the
unexpected and having to face uncertainty in life can also help you learn to
adapt, overcome challenges, and increase your resiliency. It can help you to
grow as a person.

2. How much can you be absolutely certain about in life?

Does anyone have a job for life, a guarantee of good health, or absolute
certainty over what tomorrow will bring? Behaviors such as worrying,
micromanaging, and procrastinating offer the illusion of having some control
over a situation, but what do they change in reality? The truth is no matter how
much you try to plan and prepare for every possible outcome, life will find a
way of surprising you. All striving for certainty really does is fuel worry and
anxiety.

3. Do you assume bad things will happen just because an outcome is

uncertain? What is the likelihood they will?

When you’re faced with uncertainty, it’s easy to overestimate the likelihood of
something bad happening—and underestimate your ability to cope if it does.
But given that the likelihood of something bad happening is low, even at this
precarious time, is it possible to live with that small chance and focus instead
on the more likely outcomes? Ask your friends and family how they cope with
uncertainty in specific circumstances. Could you do the same?
By challenging your need for certainty, you can begin to let go of negative behaviors,
reduce stress and worry, and free up time and energy for more practical purposes.

Tip 3: Learn to accept uncertainty

No matter how much you strive to eliminate doubt and volatility from your life, the truth
is you already accept a lot of uncertainty every day. Each time you cross a street, get
behind the wheel of a car, or eat takeout or restaurant food you’re accepting a level of
uncertainty. You’re trusting that the traffic will stop, you won’t have an accident, and
everything you’re eating is safe. The chances of something bad happening in these
circumstances is small, so you accept the risk and move on without requiring certainty.
If you’re religious, you also likely accept some doubt and uncertainty as part of your
faith.

When irrational fears and worries take hold, it can be hard to think logically and
accurately weigh up the probability of something bad happening. To help you become
more tolerant and accepting of uncertainty, the following steps can help:

Identify your uncertainty triggers. A lot of uncertainty tends to be self-generated,

through excessive worrying or a pessimistic outlook, for example. However, some
uncertainty can be generated by external sources, especially at times like this. Reading
media stories that focus on worst-case scenarios, spending time on social media amid
rumors and half-truths, or simply communicating with anxious friends can all fuel your
own fears and uncertainties. That’s the reason why so many people are panic-buying
toilet paper at the moment—they see others doing it and it feeds their own fears. By
recognizing your triggers, you can take action to avoid or reduce your exposure to them.

Recognize when you feel the need for certainty. Notice when you start to feel
anxious and fearful about a situation, begin to worry about what-ifs, or feel like a
situation is far worse than it actually is. Look for the physical cues that you’re feeling
anxious. You might notice the tension in your neck or shoulders, shortness of breath,
the onset of a headache, or an empty feeling in your stomach. Take a moment to pause
and recognize that you’re craving reassurance or a guarantee.

Allow yourself to feel the uncertainty. Instead of engaging in futile efforts to gain
control over the uncontrollable, let yourself experience the discomfort of uncertainty.
Like all emotions, if you allow yourself to feel fear and uncertainty, they will eventually
pass. Focus on the present moment and your breathing and allow yourself to simply feel
and observe the uncertainty you’re experiencing. Take some slow, deep breaths or try
a meditation to keep you anchored in the present.

Listen to HelpGuide’s coping with uncertainty meditation.

Let go. Respond to the what-ifs running through your head by acknowledging that
you’re not a fortune teller; you don’t know what will happen. All you can do is let go and
accept the uncertainty as part of life.
Shift your attention. Focus on solvable worries, taking action on those aspects of a
problem that you can control, or simply go back to what you were doing. When your
mind wanders back to worrying or the feelings of uncertainty return, refocus your mind
on the present moment and your own breathing.

Accepting uncertainty doesn’t mean not having a plan

Accepting uncertainty doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan for some of life’s
unforeseen circumstances. It’s always good to have some savings put by in case of
unexpected expenses, keep a preparedness kit handy if you live in an area at risk for
earthquakes or hurricanes, or have a plan if you or a loved one falls ill. But you can’t
prepare for every possible scenario. Life is simply too random and unpredictable.

Tip 4: Focus on the present

Uncertainty is often centered on worries about the future and all the bad things you can
anticipate happening. It can leave you feeling hopeless and depressed about the days
ahead, exaggerate the scope of the problems you face, and even paralyze you from
taking action to overcome a problem.

One of the surest ways to avoid worrying about the future is to focus on the present.
Instead of trying to predict what might happen, switch your attention to what’s
happening right now. By being fully connected to the present, you can interrupt the
negative assumptions and catastrophic predictions running through your mind.

You can learn to purposely focus your attention on the present through mindfulness.
With regular practice, mindfulness can help change your preoccupation with future
worries to a stronger appreciation of the present moment—as well as help calm your
mind, ease stress, and boost your overall mood.

You can start a mindfulness practice by following an audio meditation or incorporating it

into an exercise program, such as walking. Using mindfulness to stay focused on the
present can take perseverance. Initially, you may find that your focus keeps wandering
back to your future fears and worries—but keep at it. Each time you focus your attention
back on the present, you’re strengthening a new mental habit that can help you break
free of uncertainty.

Tip 5: Manage stress and anxiety

Taking steps to reduce your overall stress and anxiety levels can help you interrupt the
downward spiral of negative thoughts, find inner calm, and better cope with the
uncertainty in your life.

Get moving. Exercise is a natural and effective stress-reliever and anti-anxiety

treatment. Try adding a mindfulness element and focusing on how your body feels as
you move. Pay attention to the sensation of your feet hitting the ground as you walk,
run, or dance, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the sun or
wind on your skin.

Make time for relaxation. Choose a relaxation technique such as meditation, yoga,

or deep breathing exercises and try to set aside time each day for regular practice.

Get plenty of sleep. Excessive worry and uncertainty can disturb your sleep—just as a
lack of quality sleep can fuel anxiety and stress. Improving your daytime habits and
taking time to relax and unwind before bed can help you to sleep better at night.

Eat a healthy diet. Eating healthy meals can help maintain your energy levels and
prevent mood swings. Avoid sugary and processed foods and try to add more omega-3
fats—from salmon, walnuts, soybeans, and flaxseeds—to give your overall mood a
boost.

Get more help

Authors: Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A. Last updated: April
2020.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/dealing-with-uncertainty.htm