PAYE Temp Worker no 80%

Aldy76

Until last Tuesday I was working at SNOP Washington as a temp worker (we supply Nissan and I've worked there for 8 months). Nissan and its subsidiaries have stopped production and now I find myself unemployed with my partner and 3 children to provide for. On Friday the chancellor stated that employees who contribute PAYE (which I do) would receive 80% of their wages. However it would seem that this is not the case for temp workers and I have been left in limbo awaiting decisions of; if, when or if ever production could restart. Meanwhile losing vital income every day. Could someone please tell me if Richie Sunak's announcement does apply to temporary workers who contribute PAYE or if the doom of Universal credit is my only option leaving me in an even worse situation as I would then be moved from the legacy system.

calcotti

What legacy benefits do you receive?

in respect of employees the government has not said that they will receive 80% of wages. What they said was that employers could, if they choose, apply to the government to reimburse them 80% of the normal wages for employees who are retained instead of laid off.

Jeremy535897

Even if SNOP applied for the coronavirus job retention scheme, I can't see how a "temp worker", by definition, can have a job that can be furloughed. The scheme is to help stop permanent jobs being lost, and a temporary job is obviously not permanent. I also fear that production is not going to start up again in the near future (with Brexit this industry was already under threat). I would suggest you look for another job or, as you say, look at universal credit. I assume you mean tax credits when you mention "legacy system"? The requirement to work a minimum number of hours to qualify has not, so far as I am aware, been lifted, although it is a possibility for the future.

Aldy76

Thanks for the replies. So why am I paying PAYE?

Jeremy535897

If your income exceeds a certain amount, you pay tax and NIC (PAYE for employees) like everyone else. The Chancellor did not say that "employees who contribute PAYE would receive 80% of their wages". What he did say is set out in COVID-19: guidance for employees.

Aldy76

Thanks, it does say that in the guidance which I hadn't previously read. I think a few of the news programmes reporting after the chancellor's announcement gave the impression that as long as your wage slip had PAYE the company could claim on your behalf or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.

Jeremy535897

If the news can get it wrong, they will. if they can't get it wrong, they still will. They are there to get viewer numbers.

calcotti

Aldy76 said:

Thanks, it does say that in the guidance which I hadn't previously read. I think a few of the news programmes reporting after the chancellor's announcement gave the impression that as long as your wage slip had PAYE the company could claim on your behalf or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.

My advice is that whenever you read/hear something in the news you try and find the source guidance.
Having said that even the guidance from government is not completely clear - and is evolving.

fleur9392

I am in the same position as you. Poorly treated due to circumstance.!!
I hope they come up with something soon for umbrella contractors

Aldy76

The chancellor  has yet again today stated that workers who are part of the PAYE scheme, even zero hour contracted are eligible for 80% of wages. It would seem that employers are unclear on this and therefore are just claiming for permanent staff.