Returning to work after being on Furlough

mrbman

Good Morning all,  

Just wondering what the rules are regarding  recalling an employee  back to work after a period of furlough.  I initially game them 3 weeks from April 1,  then added another 3 weeks at the end of that taking it to12/5.  There is a real possibility i will need to recall them back to work.  After the next period ends on the 12th,  how much notice do i need to request them to return to work?  I am looking for them potentially to return to work  on the 26/5.  Or do i need to give another 3 week extension? 

 

calcotti

You don't have to do it in three week blocks. The minimum furlough period is three weeks but provided it is continuous once they have been on furlough for three weeks you can end it at any time. 

mrbman

Thanks ,  so a weeks notice would be suitable.  Although technically i could recall them on Monday.

bradders1983

mrbman said:

Thanks ,  so a weeks notice would be suitable.  Although technically i could recall them on Monday.

I would. And if anyone moans about it, it tells you who is willing to work or not for future reference.

Grumpy_chap

As @calcotti said, no need to stick to blocks, just a minimum block of 3 weeks.

While the staff are on furlough and cannot work for you, they should still be available to return to work and end the furlough.  In theory, that would mean you can call them this morning and ask them in this afternoon - there was another thread where someone claimed that was the case.  That approach does seem a bit harsh, though, as it would be reasonable for a member of staff expecting to be at home to book a shopping delivery or similar.

For practical purposes, if you make contact today and either ask them to return Monday next week, or give the week's notice, then you are being certainly fair.  If you give a week's notice, would you want to re-start on a Thursday?  Pros- and cons-.  You might see starting on a Thursday as giving everyone 2 days to 'bed back in' and get over the water-cooler chats and then back from proper full work from the start of the week after.  We are all only human, and to achieve zero to 100% in one leap is hard for us all.

It sounds as though your staff may be expecting an update at the middle of next week, 12th, so why not use that to say the expected return date is 26th?

Congratulations on running your business positively and using the furlough scheme as intended and no able to bring your staff back into work.  I so much wish I could get back to work from furlough.

Mrsn

I think you giving a weeks notice is very generous and I’m sure you’re employees will appreciate the way you handled the situation.

sharpe106

Even if you do not need to call them back there is no need to give them a 3 weeks extension, just say until they are called back or the scheme ends. Then you do not need to keep extending it. 

mrbman

Brilliant advice  form everyone,  i only have 3 staff.  And they are all keen to get back to work,  sickness dependant i will let them all know on Monday that we intend to open on Monday the 25th  if we are allowed to by then.  Small retail shop.

sharpe106

You might want to say dependent on the government review, as depending on the type of shop you are you might be able to open before then.