EMPLOYER NOT PLAYING BALL

keefmo

Hi Guys
My partner works in a pub which is obviously shut, but to date the employer has not told the workforce if the are furloughed. THERE IS SPECULATION THAT HE ISN'T RE-OPENING AND WILL JUST LEAVE WHILST IN LOCKDOWN. THE STAFF  ARE A LITTLE BIT SHALL WE SAY AFRAID OF HIM AS HE IS VERY UNAPPROACHABLE. WHAT SHOULD THEY DO, THEY ARE IN NO MANS LAND, CANNOT TELL HMRC IF THEY ARE OR ARE NOT FURLOUGHED, AND IF HE DOES WIND THE BUSINESS UP OR DO A RUNNER, THEY HAVE LOST TIME LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE WORK, ?? LET ALONE HAVING SPENT WEEKS IN ABSOLUTE ANGUISH.

KEITH

poppy12345

Please turn off your caps because it makes it very difficult to read. It's the employers decision whether they furlough them or not and all they can do is to keep trying to contact them.

InA

If he has stopped paying your wages, and the cashflow situation is such that he could not afford to pay you, then it's unlikely you will be furloughed. Furlough pay is an out of pocket expense for employers and they can only claim the grant if they are paying workers. You would also need to be informed of your furloughed status in writing by the employer.

Best route to a definitive answer is to approach your employer and ask him.

mobilejo

There is nothing to stop them looking for work now - being on furlough doesn't prevent you doing a second job for a different employer.

In that position, I would act as if I have no job and look for something else now. That way there is no time wasted and then if they are furloughed by the pub, its a bonus.