Pregnant/SSP/Furloughed Worker

KMM29

Hi guys,  sorry if anything like this has already been asked - had a quick look and couldn’t find anything! Not even sure if there’s general advice anyone can give or if it varies between workplaces...

Currently off work on holiday so have been lucky to be able to self isolate without any issue up until this point.  I’m pregnant (1st trimester) and the government are advising minimal contact for 12 weeks if pregnant.  I’m due back at work mid-week (work full time in non-essential retail) and my work has yet to decide on their course of action with regards to still trading or closing.  

I know I’m entitled to SSP due to being “high risk” which is fine.  What I’m unsure of is...if I advise I can’t work and go onto SSP and then the company shuts and follows the governments new scheme for furloughed workers getting up to 80% of their wage, would I continue on SSP or be entitled to what everyone else was getting? 

Obviously I won’t be putting myself at risk regardless of the outcome, just hoping someone might have a clearer understanding than me! 

Jeremy535897

The coronavirus job retention scheme applies to employers who adopt it and lay off workers, who must not do any work at all for their employer. I don't think the receipt of SSP affects this, because you are still their employee. You wouldn't get both. It's tricky in that there's lots of stuff in employment law that makes it hard for employers to lay off employees who are pregnant, and we only have headline advice about this new scheme, and no details.