Online courses in forlough time

CatalinT

The company that I work for, has booked an online training course for me, before sending me home on the furlough scheme.

A few days ago, when the course was supposed to start, they canceled the registration, saying that I can't take courses during the furlough scheme time.

It’s illegal or what?!

Thank you.

prowla

No, it's not illegal; furlough is not the law, but a support scheme where an employer can put employees on paid holiday.

The furlough rules state:

Furloughed employees can engage in training, as long as in undertaking the training the employee does not provide services to, or generate revenue for, or on behalf of their organisation or a linked or associated organisation. Furloughed employees should be encouraged to undertake training.

Which appears to contradict what you say the company said...

However, they may have decided they don't want to pay for it in these difficult times.

TELLIT01

It may be a cost saving exercise, or the employer may have believed that the employee can't do any work related activity during a period of furlough.  Either way, the course is cancelled and there is no point worrying about that.