Furlough - agency workers between assignments

energystar7

If an agency workers last assignment finished before the 28th February 2020 and they are still on the agencies payroll just not had anymore assignments are they eligible to be be furloughed?

energystar7

I can't find assignment information anywhere relating to furloughing

SXX

energystar7 said:

If an agency workers last assignment finished before the 28th February 2020 and they are still on the agencies payroll just not had anymore assignments are they eligible to be be furloughed?

Even if you were on agency's PAYE as at 28.02 or now new date of 19.03, there is a pretty good chance that your agency won't furlough you even though there is now no temp work as agency's temp business has ceased due to Covid 19.  Sadly from my own experience and from some of the posts on this forum, agencies will not furlough even if you qualify and even if you say to them that you would accept deferral of payment until they actually receive the grant from the HMRC.  So in your case, if your assignment finished before 28.02 then according to the Govt guidelines you do not qualify for furlough but you could ask your agency anyway.  It looks like you have fallen through the cracks.  Have you tried UC, new job seekers allowance or any other benefits?

energystar7

I've asked HMRC about being furloughed when inbetween assignments and they say:
It doesn't matter what kind of employment contract you are on as long as you're on PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020 you can be furloughed.

daKlone

IMHO unless something changes in the Govt rules to allow agencies to recover their costs (I personally doubt that will happen any time soon), then there's about 0% chance of being furloughed.
Before worrying about the technicalities of dates etc energystar7, I'd just ask them...but brace yourself for bad news.