Furlough after handing in notice

Anon34572

Afternoon Everyone,

So I saw Martin Lewis' tweet about employees who have handed in notices also being eligible for the retention scheme. My situation is I handed my notice in around the 12th March but my new employer has delayed the start of my contract due to the current situation and not provided me with a start date.
I asked my current employer if I could take back my notice period before the announcement of the government grant but they rejected this. I am due to finish working with them in the next 3 weeks. 
I am aware that they are not obliged to re-hire me but would it be worth asking the question again about re-hiring but instead suggesting placing me on furlough?
Also if they accept, am I then tied into my current employer or could I then take up the new role within the furlough period if the situation improves and the new employers are able to take me on? Or do I have to stay in furlough for the minimum period before I could get potentially find another role?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Galloglass

Furlough is a minimum of 3 weeks but as you appear not to have a contract worth anything, then find another role or apply for Universal Credit if you don't receive tax credits.

Anon34572

I have a contract signed with the new employer though, they have just delayed when I will start with them. So wondering if my current employer agreed to the furlough would I then have to re hand in my notice if the new job took me on?

sharpe106

If they agreed to it then yes you would, but I can't see why they would want to. They may not even be furloughing staff. 

Galloglass

I have a contract signed with the new employer though, they have just delayed when I will start with them

You could insist on your new employer sticking to the terms of the offer and see what they say. The delay is a variation of a contract so you have to agree to it by doing nothing - or asking them to stick to terms (and raising a claim afterwards)