Rumours those who started in March and on March payroll can claim furlough pay from 1st April

ntemp

I’ve heard rumours that anyone who started new jobs in March and therefore missed the 28th February payroll deadline for claiming furlough 80% pay, may be able to claim the furlough pay from 1st April, as the March payroll will be evidence that they were actually working for the company. Does anyone have any guidance or further help on this please. Previous employer has already refused to do it due to concern over the legalities and the fact a set directive hasn’t been given to previous employers to do this.

robbiez

where have you heard these rumours?
I wouldn't listen to anything or anyone except the government

gary83

they are currently just rumours, nothing has been announced by the chancellor indicating this and the government’s guidance has not been changed, they’re the only place I’d listen to for up to date information. 

It’s a hastily written up scheme nobody even imagined a month ago so of course it might change, but until the government guidance is changed it’s just wishful thinking unfortunately.

neilmcl

Rumours are just that, rumours. I wouldn't believe anything until it's in black and whit from an official source. At the end of the day there has to be a cutoff point the 28th seems as reasonable a one as a date in March.

ntemp

Rumours being just rumours is exactly why I was asking if anyone was aware of any official guidance on this that I had missed perhaps. The reason that the end of March as a cut off date for furlough from 1st April would be useful is that it would mean that those who changed jobs in March would be covered at some point, rather than having nothing, and this would be an automatic way of proving they were employed and working before their business closed.

Illusionary

ntemp said:

Rumours being just rumours is exactly why I was asking if anyone was aware of any official guidance on this that I had missed perhaps. The reason that the end of March as a cut off date for furlough from 1st April would be useful is that it would mean that those who changed jobs in March would be covered at some point, rather than having nothing, and this would be an automatic way of proving they were employed and working before their business closed.

The cut-off date being set a few weeks prior to the announcement is at least in part to counter potential abuse of the scheme - which would be negated if it were now moved forward. Personally I'd be very surprised to see it being changed at this point.

Galloglass

 Previous employer has already refused to do it

Are you trying to back out of your new employment contract into your old one? What does your new employer say as you have a contract with them?

ntemp

Galloglass said:

 Previous employer has already refused to do it

Are you trying to back out of your new employment contract into your old one? What does your new employer say as you have a contract with them?

No, absolutely not, this is why the recommendation from Martin Lewis and the HMRC to go back to your previous employer to be furloughed after you have left just because you were on payroll with them on 28th feb, seems so ridiculous, not to mention fraudulent and I would agree with the old employer it raises all kinds of legal issues.  The new employer can’t pay the 80% as they won’t get refunded due to not being employed with them on 28th feb they will be continuing the employment when all this is over but can’t pay in the mean time.

robbiez

ntemp said:

Galloglass said:

 Previous employer has already refused to do it

Are you trying to back out of your new employment contract into your old one? What does your new employer say as you have a contract with them?

No, absolutely not, this is why the recommendation from Martin Lewis and the HMRC to go back to your previous employer to be furloughed after you have left just because you were on payroll with them on 28th feb, seems so ridiculous, not to mention fraudulent and I would agree with the old employer it raises all kinds of legal issues.  The new employer can’t pay the 80% as they won’t get refunded due to not being employed with them on 28th feb they will be continuing the employment when all this is over but can’t pay in the mean time.

This is where the guidelines are being misinterpreted all over the place, and in my opinion could leave employers open to fraud investigations.
The guidelines state a business is eligible if they have been severely affected by coronavirus. If they haven't, nothing else matters, they are not eligible. 
Now, if a business has been affected they are eligible for the scheme. If a business made employees redundant early March, they are allowed to re hire them and then furlough them.
"Your employer can agree to re-employ you and place you on furlough instead."
This is only to help those who were made redundant due to coronavirus, such as people working in pubs, restaurants, shops, etc.
The scheme makes no mention whatsoever of previous employers being able to re hire people they had sacked or had resigned or they had made redundant simply being their business was failing for any other reason.
The current scheme should not be used to bail out any employee or employer unless they have been severely affected due to coronavirus.

neilmcl

Other than the supermarkets show me a business that hasn't been affected in some way.

Jeremy535897

Given the time it must take to do the shopping with all the social distancing, I wonder whether even they will make more money? I'd say banks will do very well out of mortgage holidays.