Can I ask to be furloughed? Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Ahmadahmad

I work at a company which still operates pickups and online orders. Two weeks ago I asked for a leave as I had to return home to be with my parents as they needed me.I got on one of the last planes and now that all travel is banned, I can not return to the UK in the foreseeable future.  I am an EU citizen and have acquired  an "EU presettlement status " in the UK.  I have a NI number, NHS number and a UK address.  My question is that am I entitled to ask my employer to be furloughed as I have no other income except from my work and I don't want to bourden my parents.  I am very thankful for any advice.

Illusionary

So long as you have the right to work in the UK, your EU citizenship status isn't relevant for the Job Retention Scheme. I assume that you were on the payroll on 28 February 2020. If so, there's nothing to stop you from asking, but your employer isn't obliged to accept your request, especially if they wouldn't otherwise plan to apply to the scheme.

Further details here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

sharpe106

From your post it is also unlikely they will if they are still operating. The scheme is to protect that jobs that have been lost or may be lost due to the current situation. As you said they are still operating, so unless they are operating at a legal significantly below normal I doubt they would be eligible.