Furlough and Leaving Employment

NottinghamKnight

I gave in my notice at work in early March and my final day with the company is in mid May. The company accepted my resignation but then all recruitment was pulled and on my immediate boss's request I wrote in to withdraw my resignation, another individual had done this around a week before and stayed but my letter arrived about a week after this. The company refused to accept my withdrawal letter and stated that my resignation stood. I have now been placed on furlough this week, nominally until early May but the understanding is that I won't be returning to work. The company is a moderate to large employer and they have basically put groups of employyes on furlough based on their job description, so everyone of one level and/ or speciality has been furloughed but other areas that might expect more work are being retained. My understanding is that I can't be furloughed as my job won't be retained as recruitment has been cancelled. Furlough is of minor benefit to me as I will now be paid leave so get another ten days pay as furlough overrides annual leave. I'm now thinking of raising a complaint on the basis that I can't be furloughed as I'm leaving and the role isn't being retained and if they have furloughed me than that could be considered a tacit acceptance of my resignation withdrawal, and wondered what others might think.

jonnygee2

They can't actually furlough you if you haven't agreed to it anyway.

That said - you have said it is of 'minor benefit' to you to be furloughed. I don't see why you'd go through the rigmorole of making a complaint when something is of benefit to you? If you are hoping to achieve continued employment, I think that boat has sailed - you've resigned, it's accepted, it's over. At best, you'd be taken off furlough and put on annual leave instead - but as you point out that's probably worse.

This is a difficult time for both employers and employees. Allowing them to furlough you gives you a little extra money through the paid annual leave entitlement, and saves them some cash. It seems like the best situation for everyone.

Masomnia

The furlough scheme was initially for 3 months, so by the time you're looking to leave it might not make much difference.

If the scheme does get extended and you're still struggling to find work, they might accept extending your notice period by a month as opposed to rescinding your notice period entirely. That way you're still going to be leaving, you'll just be remaining on furlough for the rest of your notice period.