Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

markmcgarry

If my employee normally works 5 days a week , can I furlough them for 2 days a week  and  claim 80% of their wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention sheme for those 2 days ?

Jeremy535897

No. Here's the guidance to employees: 
"If your employer intends to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, they will discuss with you becoming classified as a furloughed worker. This would mean that you are kept on your employer’s payroll, rather than being laid off.

To qualify for this scheme, you should not undertake work for them while you are furloughed. This will allow your employer to claim a grant of up to 80% of your wage for all employment costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

You will remain employed while furloughed. Your employer could choose to fund the differences between this payment and your salary, but does not have to."

markmcgarry

Hi,   but surely I am employing them for 3 days a week and paying them their normally salary , then furloughing then for two days a week.   Surely this is better then been furloughed  for 3 months ?? 

Jeremy535897

That's not what the Government is offering. Their aim is to preserve jobs that would otherwise be lost. By definition you are not going to let a job be lost, because your employee will still be working 3 days a week. Depending on their contract of employment, they may just have to accept they only get 60% of their previous wage, and if they are eligible, top up with universal credit.

Rainman06

Does my employer have an obligation to keep me on and furlough me, rather than laying me off, if we are eligible for the Work Retention Scheme?

Jeremy535897

Not normally, no, but depending on your redundancy entitlement, they may prefer to.

calcotti

There is no obligation for an employer to make use of the Job Retention Scheme. It is an incentive for employers to retain employees.