04.04.2020 / News / Covid-19

UPDATE: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and furlough status

There’s been an update as of today on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We have pulled out the relevant information for our members as follows:

1) Employees can start a new job when on furlough (meaning they might end up earning 80% of the old salary and 100% of a new one). This was not prohibited in the earlier guidance, but the new guidance expressly allows it. The guidance does say it has to be allowed under the old employment contract, but the old employer should waive that.

2) Employees can be furloughed multiple times, ie they can be furloughed, brought back to work, then re-furloughed (subject to each furlough period being at least three weeks)

3) Employers must notify employees of their furlough status in writing (the previous guidance did not require it be in writing) and keep the record of that written notification for five years.

4) Employees who are unable to work because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) can be furloughed. For example, employees that need to look after children can be furloughed.

Find out more here>>