Where is her furlough?

Trader1

A lady came to see me yesterday distraught - she has been employed part time for 4 years in a business that was taken over 2 years ago by a man that appear to be very unpleasant to work for and I would call a bully!
This Lady has not received a single payment since the business (catering) was closed due to furlough in March - she was told she would be getting it. Each time she has contacted her boss she is told the accountants are dealing with it.   She nor her 3 other work colleagues were asked to sign any form of contract regarding furlough.  I contacted the payroll department of these accountants for her and was told they have not been asked to do this.
Is there anywhere we can check to see if this furlough has been applied for by this sole director of the limited company, one which is also up for sale again as a going concern? 

poppy12345

There's no way they can check whether the employer has applied for the furlough. They would also need to agree to be furloughed. As no money has been received then it's unlikely their employer has furloughed them.

Trader1

I called the payroll dept ( a named person) that deals with that business and knew the woman I was helping,  who was with me at the time as she was too upset to speak personally, I didn't go into great detail but something was clearly amiss

Trader1

Would HMRC inform an employee if the business they work for has applied for furlough and if so confirm if it has been paid out.
is there a special number to call/ email address 
I am fearing the business owner has acquired the council grant and furlough for the staff to cover debts in the business he is trying to sell

comeandgo

Trader1 said:

Would HMRC inform an employee if the business they work for has applied for furlough and if so confirm if it has been paid out.
is there a special number to call/ email address 
I am fearing the business owner has acquired the council grant and furlough for the staff to cover debts in the business he is trying to sell

HMRC do not contact employees but they will note that payments an employer received was not paid out to employees but if that company goes under then there is not much they can do.

Jeremy535897

You cannot find out from HMRC whether your employer has claimed CJRS in respect of your wages or anyone else's wages. Anyone who suspects their employer is claiming CJRS and not paying it  to the employees can report them. See guidance to employees:

"The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme forms part of a collective national effort to protect people’s jobs. You can play a vital role by reporting fraudulent claims to HMRC. Fraudulent claims risk the provision of public services and the protection of livelihoods.

If you’re concerned that your employer is abusing the scheme you should report them. This could include your employer claiming on your behalf and not paying you what you’re entitled to, being asked to work whilst on furlough, or making a backdated claim that includes times when you were working."

comeandgo

Trader1 said:

I called the payroll dept ( a named person) that deals with that business and knew the woman I was helping,  who was with me at the time as she was too upset to speak personally, I didn't go into great detail but something was clearly amiss

They should not have discussed the employers business with anyone, not even your friend.  I would keep quiet about this, they may be dismissed due to gross misconduct if found out.  First thing you learn working in accountancy and payroll, you discuss nothing.

LilElvis

Trader1 said:

Would HMRC inform an employee if the business they work for has applied for furlough and if so confirm if it has been paid out.
is there a special number to call/ email address 
I am fearing the business owner has acquired the council grant and furlough for the staff to cover debts in the business he is trying to sell

The employer can only claim back money for furlough if he has submitted a payroll to HMRC and it doesn't sound like he has done so.

Halla86

I too am in the same situation as this lady. I work in Northern Ireland so time is slightly different here. I was put on furlough the end of march. As a monthly paid member of staff I was expecting pay on 1st of April. Never arrived, he told me the company didn't have any money to pay us. And now I've not been paid April's pay either. I phone this employer and just keep getting told that their accountant is looking into it. They applied for a loan in April and it was to be approved on 20th of April. I'm owed over 2 months pay now and not received a penny. Is there anyway to check what's going on besides taking my employer at his word?  We are surviving just by skin of our teeth. Employer phoned me last week and told me to "apply for whatever benefits you can" as there's still no sign of the loan coming through. I told him I couldn't as my family and working tax credits would be suspended while they investigate so we decided that some money trickling in week by week is better than nothing. I have now gone over the overdraft that my bank gave me and I'm racking up charges and fees for non paid direct debits.  Any surplus my wife had from her part time job has now been funneled into my debits. The barrel has run dry now. 
Anyone any ideas at all what to do? 

poppy12345

Halla86 said:

I too am in the same situation as this lady. I work in Northern Ireland so time is slightly different here. I was put on furlough the end of march. As a monthly paid member of staff I was expecting pay on 1st of April. Never arrived, he told me the company didn't have any money to pay us. And now I've not been paid April's pay either. I phone this employer and just keep getting told that their accountant is looking into it. They applied for a loan in April and it was to be approved on 20th of April. I'm owed over 2 months pay now and not received a penny. Is there anyway to check what's going on besides taking my employer at his word?  We are surviving just by skin of our teeth. Employer phoned me last week and told me to "apply for whatever benefits you can" as there's still no sign of the loan coming through. I told him I couldn't as my family and working tax credits would be suspended while they investigate so we decided that some money trickling in week by week is better than nothing. I have now gone over the overdraft that my bank gave me and I'm racking up charges and fees for non paid direct debits.  Any surplus my wife had from her part time job has now been funneled into my debits. The barrel has run dry now. 
Anyone any ideas at all what to do? 

No, there's no way to check. All you can do is speak to your employer, or try to. Your employer should pay you first and then claim it back. As you haven't been paid anything then it's unlikely you'll receive it now.

EssJayD

Accountants sound completely incompetent, so I'd actually take whatever they said with a pinch of salt on that basis.  I'm staggered that they discussed this with you even if the lady was present.

I think the lady (not you) should report them to HMRC as Jeremy says.