Employer NOT putting staff on furlough

monthesheep

I have two jobs (doesn't everyone nowadays?) I am still working my Day Job so that's all good but my employer from my second job, which is a zero hour/casual labour contract, is refusing to put all its workforce on furlough. It's a security firm who work at music events, gigs and festivals which won't be happening in the near future. I am probably going to be ok but some of my colleagues have been really left in serious financial difficulty. The employer has chosen to only furlough some of the salaried staff only. They are getting work for a small minority of SIA licenced staff but for everyone else their advice is apply for universal credit or employment support allowance! This is despite the fact that the furlough scheme covers zero hour contract and casual labour staff who are part of PAYE. Can an employer be instructed to put staff on furlough? Why would a company not put its staff on furlough? Most of my colleagues don't qualify for benefits so essentially they've been left to survive. No work, no money, no benefit, it is a morally reprehensible policy on behalf of my employer. What can I do realistically? 

comeandgo

Realistically you can do nothing other than maybe fhelp find food banks for your struggling colleagues.  Am employer does not need to furlough employees.  

comeandgo

Realistically you can do nothing other than maybe help find food banks for your struggling colleagues.  Am employer does not need to furlough employees.  

Jeremy535897

See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6132737/both-self-employed-and-paye-employed#latest

sliphi

monthesheep said:

I have two jobs (doesn't everyone nowadays?) I am still working my Day Job so that's all good but my employer from my second job, which is a zero hour/casual labour contract, is refusing to put all its workforce on furlough. It's a security firm who work at music events, gigs and festivals which won't be happening in the near future. I am probably going to be ok but some of my colleagues have been really left in serious financial difficulty. The employer has chosen to only furlough some of the salaried staff only. They are getting work for a small minority of SIA licenced staff but for everyone else their advice is apply for universal credit or employment support allowance! This is despite the fact that the furlough scheme covers zero hour contract and casual labour staff who are part of PAYE. Can an employer be instructed to put staff on furlough? Why would a company not put its staff on furlough? Most of my colleagues don't qualify for benefits so essentially they've been left to survive. No work, no money, no benefit, it is a morally reprehensible policy on behalf of my employer. What can I do realistically? 

Can an employer be instructed to put staff on furlough? - No

What can you do realistically? - As you are on a zero hours contract, there is no hinderance to you seeking work anywhere else. Similarly, you are under no obligation to work any hours offered to you under a zero hours contract.

You will obviously need to check with your other employer, what you call the day job, as to any restrictions they may have on you working elsewhere ... but they were presumably ok with you moonlighting on the zero hours contract.