Key worker furlough

anasousa

Hello, I hope you can help me. The company I work for decided to reduce the store's opening hours and the shift I have  worked for the past 10 years is no longer available. I  am classed as a key worker and my employer wants me to work different hours on a different location. I am unable to work the hours I have been asked because of childcare. I have a 2 year old son, not yet in nursery or childminder. Am I elegible for the furlough scheme? Can the employer force me to work different hours on short notice using the pandemic as a reason? If not elegible for furlough am I entitled to redudancy pay? Thanking you all in advance for the advice. 

LilElvis

What does your contract say about your hours? Does it specify that you work is between x and y o'clock, or that you work xx hours per week? You aren't being furloughed because work is available and you aren't being made redundant because they are still offering you your job.

mattyprice4004

Just to add, furlough is ALWAYS option on the part of the employer - it's a voluntary scheme, they don't have to do it for anyone.  

anasousa

The contract says 40 hours.... however I have been told on another recent occasion, when i  wanted to change my shift pattern, that because I have been doing those hours for x long those were my contracted hours. The store is operating different hours and my shift was ceased... at least for now. It seems there is a different understanding to the contract according to whatever benefits the employer.... 

anasousa

mattyprice4004 said:

Just to add, furlough is ALWAYS option on the part of the employer - it's a voluntary scheme, they don't have to do it for anyone.  

I do understand that! But they will need to do something right? Lay off, redundancy, furlough