What notice to return to work?

Gottasavemoneysomehow

Hi does anybody know what would be considered a reasonable notice period that an employer needs to give to recall furloughed employees to work?
Our furlough email from work says it will be done on 'a weekly basis' so does that mean that once a week starts they can't recall you to work until the following week?
Only asking as I was speaking to another employee who was under the impression (following a conversation with a director) that they can  recall us with no notice at all and they could phone !e and tell me to get dressed and come into work immediately.
Obviously that means I can't attempt to schedule any grocery deliveries as there's a chance I won't be hear to collect them. Can't go to the supermarket as the queue means I could be gone for a few hours. Can't go for a daily walk etc.

clive0510

I dont know. it looks like we may go back alternate weeks. one on one off. theres only two of us in the dept. so that way we wouldnt have two of us together all day long. but thats only a maybe. so much uncertianty.

bradders1983

The same day would he unreasonable but given nobody is going anywhere at the moment if they want you in next day and you go back on full pay you cant really moan.

As for the last poster....does your boss know how Furlough works? Has to be three weeks.

penners324

1 days notice after the first 3 weeks is up.

BrassicWoman

penners324 said:

1 days notice after the first 3 weeks is up.

the employer can choose to cut the three weeks short and forfeit the grant.

sharpe106

I would think the day before is enough notice. If you had a delivery coming I am sure if you explained it and offered to make the time up then it would be fine. If you go out for a walk or whatever and are not in when they phone they can call back or leave a message.

Grumpy_chap

Remember, the furlough is there to keep jobs while you cannot work because of coronavirus or there is no work to do because of coronavirus.  It seems reasonable that you are required to be available for work during that time.
Taking a strict interpretation of that, the case you posed "they can  recall us with no notice at all and they could phone !e and tell me to get dressed and come into work immediately" does seem to be possible.
Most employers will try to be reasonable, though and next day or next week is practical - especially if the employer has said they will review weekly, then that is what is reasonable for them to do.  It is reasonable, though, if something changes and there is new business secured the employer would want to be able to get staff back onto it pretty quickly.
Your concerns about not being able to do anything seem  unfounded.  If you are asked to go back to work, then the employer still has to allow for social distancing etc.  That may mean working from home (so grocery deliveries not an issue).  Or, to change the work routines so there is social distancing will need planning, so the employer can give some notice of the direction of travel.  Getting caught out with being on your daily walk or at the supermarket is therefore unlikely to be a real issue.
If you feel that your boss would call you up and not give reasonable time for you to complete a fair task in hand, then maybe it is time to seek a new boss anyway.  So, you have just got to the front of a 3 hour supermarket queue and about to go in, when the phone rings "can you return to work".  If you can't say you'll be an hour to get there, that is really unreasonable.

Gottasavemoneysomehow

Just to update. Turns out the notice to return. To work was 40 minutes from phone call to starting.

Grumpy_chap

In the short term, that seems quite harsh. 
However, the good news is there is work at your company now and, presumably that means there will be work going forward and after the lock-down ends.  Try to look on the bright side that this is an indication that your company and own income is secure.
In the current climate, having a reasonable level of secure future is worth a lot