Employer refuses to furlough me

samijoe7

I'm at my wits end. My employer refuses to furlough me as I am classed as key worker but need to be at home, as I am also a carer for my daughter who is classed as 'vulnerable and high risk'. Have spoke to many help agencies including 'AXA legal life management team' who were very rude and said my employer is correct and I should get Martin Lewis to sort it out for me since he seems to know the rules!!! I will get no income from my employer as they say the government retention scheme as the scheme is to safeguard workers from being made redundant as quoted on government website. They cannot do anything unless the government update the information to includexpeople in my position. I've been going round in circles for over 2 weeks and it's taking it's tole on my mental health. MSE team please help!

MrsPepperpot

As you are beginning to struggle with your mental health, maybe you need to self certificate for 7 days and then get a fit note from the Doctors. We are all going  through difficult times and being rude does not help anyone. These are just my thoughts to be done with as you will … (( BIG HUGS)) x

sharpe106

They are correct in their advice as it stands you can’t be furloughed for that. Your employer, AXA or whoever do not make the rules they just follow what the policy says.  

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme 

 Also your employer does not refuse to furlough you they can not. 

gary83

You’re employer is correct, childcare issues, medical needs or anything else is entirely irrelevant when it comes to furlough, it isn’t an ad hoc social security scheme despite so many people thinking it is.

Have a look at universal credit

Hermann

Furlough is at the employers discretion and is indeed currently intended for staff who would be made redundant.
Unless that guidance changes employers can not be compelled to do anything.

unforeseen

Neither of the risk groups entitle you to self-isolate or claim sick pay if you have a person in the house in either group.
Your employer can allow you, if they so wish, to take unpaid leave or paid holiday if you have some. 

poppy12345

It will be Universal Credit, providing you don't have savings/capital over £16,000 https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

samijoe7

Martin Lewis suggests otherwise in his TV appearances. It is for everyone. According to Acas is as follows. Which as a carer, I come under the latter. 

Vulnerable people and those at high risk

The government advises anyone who’s at a higher risk of getting a severe illness if they catch coronavirus ('vulnerable people') to take particularly strict social distancing measures.

Although everyone is advised to practise social distancing, it’s particularly important for those in a vulnerable group.

Employers must be especially careful and take extra steps for anyone in their workforce who is in a vulnerable group.

They include, but are not limited to, those who:

• have a long-term health condition, for example asthma, diabetes or heart disease, or a weakened immune system as the result of medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
• are pregnant
• are aged 70 or over
• care for someone with a health condition that might put them at a greater risk

LilElvis

Even your quote doesn't state that you are entitled to be furloughed.

gary83

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending which way look at it) the media do not set government policies, even Martin Lewis,. the government guidance is very clear on who is & who isn’t eligible for furlough, it might change, but until it does sections of the media suggesting that the furlough scheme is to be used as some sort of temporary sick or childcare payment scheme are acting pretty irresponsibly, that’s not what it’s designed for.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#check-if-youre-eligible

sharpe106

They are saying that vulnerable should, they are not saying they are going to pay you for it.