Furlough - returning to work with older family member in household

poppet17

My husband was furloughed 3 weeks ago - his firm asked for volunteers to return to work 2 weeks into the furlough but he chose to remained furloghed - this weekend he has been asked to return to work (not all staff have been asked) because he can do all jobs in the warehouse and they need his skill set - I am 66 years old with health issues and he does not want to return for fear of putting me at risk - there is no ppe in place and the warehouse works taking in and dispatching wholesale orders.  He feels under pressure to return but does not want to.  Is he within his rights to remain furloughed as only a small number of the staff have offered to work?

calcotti

There is no right to be furloughed. You can be eligible to be furloughed but it is the employer’s decision. All he can do is explain his concerns to his employer and ask if someone else can do the work. Bear in mind however that many of his fellow workers may also have similar concerns.

poppy12345

Lots of keyworkers have no option to work but take extra precautions when returning home.

poppet17

calcotti said:

There is no right to be furloughed. You can be eligible to be furloughed but it is the employer’s decision. All he can do is explain his concerns to his employer and ask if someone else can do the work. Bear in mind however that many of his fellow workers may also have similar concerns.

He is already furloughed - that was the employers decision - he cannot be responsible for what his fellow workers have decided to do - he has been an extremely loyal employee working for the firm for over 30 years - but he is very concerned that he may bring the virus home due to no fault of anyone else and put me at risk. They have not demanded that he returns it was a request - but he is torn between safeguarding me and loyalty to a firm who do not seem to understand his concerns - and just would like to know if he could legally stay furloughed.

calcotti

poppet17 said: - and just would like to know if he could legally stay furloughed.

As I have already said, yes he can - if his employer is willing to continue to offer it.

unforeseen

poppet17 said:

calcotti said:

There is no right to be furloughed. You can be eligible to be furloughed but it is the employer’s decision. All he can do is explain his concerns to his employer and ask if someone else can do the work. Bear in mind however that many of his fellow workers may also have similar concerns.

He is already furloughed - that was the employers decision - he cannot be responsible for what his fellow workers have decided to do - he has been an extremely loyal employee working for the firm for over 30 years - but he is very concerned that he may bring the virus home due to no fault of anyone else and put me at risk. They have not demanded that he returns it was a request - but he is torn between safeguarding me and loyalty to a firm who do not seem to understand his concerns - and just would like to know if he could legally stay furloughed.

You are in the same position as millions of other people. You don't say whether your health issues take you into the lower vulnerable group but even if they did then the social distancing rules should be sufficient in the main part. It sounds like there will be little close contact with other workers so the risk is low, probably lower than going shopping. 

lincroft1710

It is entirely up to his employer if he remains furloughed. If they say no and he does not return to work, then not only will he not be paid, but he risks losing his job.

poppet17

Thank you everyone.