Local Government Denied Furlough Request

poppy12345

pol57 said:

Hi
I’m in a similar position.
Finished with one LA 12 March - Due to start with another 21 March - New LA said they couldn’t induct me due to distancing rules.
Old LA say they can’t re-Instate as LAs can’t furlough staff.
This would be perfectly acceptable in any other business but not in my case.
Have applied for JSA and writing to MP - worried!

Not sure what your local MP can do here because you can't be furloughed. Universal Credit pays more than New style JSA BUT if you're claiming tax credits then this will end if you apply for UC. Also if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be excluded from claiming.

Not sure what you mean by "measuring"

sharpe106

You could set up a poll, but not much point as what would it achieve? The government are well aware of who falls through the cracks. As put before all you can do is have a look to see what benefits eligible for.

Grumpy_chap

State employees were specifically excluded from the furlough scheme because there is more work to do in responding to the crisis that means no-one can be told there is no work, but may need to be redeployed to a different role within the state apparatus.  There is also not much sense in the state paying someone 80% salary to do nothing, when for 100% they can gain output from them.  There is also greater job security after the crisis is over for state than private sector.

Can you now go back to either your old employer and see if you can return to work for them (rather than return to be furloughed), or find a way to work with the new employer so you work for them and earn?  The new employer should by now have given thought as to how they will undertake inductions etc in the future post-covid.

pol57

No, previous post filled.
Am working in schools so no-one back until ?
Don’t quality for any benefits due to our joint income - 

The JPS allows people to be taken on by an employer they have left - unless you work for local government.
Thought MP may have some influence in ‘tweaking’ the scheme as there are clearly quite a few people in a similar position.
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

sharpe106

pol57 said:

No, previous post filled.
Am working in schools so no-one back until ?
Don’t quality for any benefits due to our joint income - 

The JPS allows people to be taken on by an employer they have left - unless you work for local government.
Thought MP may have some influence in ‘tweaking’ the scheme as there are clearly quite a few people in a similar position.
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

The government are well aware of the gaps, but have left them. The MP's will not change it if you contact them but when they have been pressed by the media they have changed a few things. So unless you can get a good campaign going I doubt it will change. 

diggingdude

Remember us local authority workers are treated like 3rd class citizens at the best of times, but don't worry, I am sure we will be protected when the time comes to pay all this back...........
Can you not find a role with a local authority?  Mine are looking to fill loads of roles, although as a social worker i notice redeployed staff seem to be filling roles we couldn't fill before Covid rather than supporting because of it