Going back and working part time (on and off furlough) Is this allowed yet ?

leepatston

I’ve been on furlough for the last 2 months and my employer said to me today, do you want to come back on 1st June as we have some work for a couple of weeks, and then if goes quite after that you can go back on furlough.
i know they were talking about this part time furlough but can’t find any info if it has come into action yet.

anyone know? 
and how many times can you go on and off.

Thanks 

poppy12345

Yes there's nothing wrong with that, providing you're furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks at a time.

sharpe106

Part time furlough is for when scheme gets extended so not out yet and the full details have not been released, only rumour, what papers have made up to look like they know something at the moment.

calcotti

What you are describing is not part time furlough. You are currently furloughed. Your employer wants you to go back to work at which time you will not be furloughed. If after two weeks there is no more work you will stop work and be put back on furlough, which will need to be for a minimum of 3 weeks if your employer wants to claim from CJRS.

Grumpy_chap

Yes, you can go back and I recommend that you do.  The first to be asked back are the ones that can consider themselves more secure if a downturn follows.  Equally, those that were not keen to return can consider themselves the most likely to receive a P45.

You can be furloughed for minimum periods of 3 weeks.  Once the 3 weeks has been met, you can go back to work and then be furloughed again, so long as it is a minimum period of 3 weeks.  These are the rules until the end of July, it may change after that.

suki1964

sharpe106 said:

Part time furlough is for when scheme gets extended so not out yet and the full details have not been released, only rumour, what papers have made up to look like they know something at the moment.

There is nothing stopping you being furloughed for 3 weeks, going back for a week, or even taking a weeks holiday on full pay, then being placed straight back on Furlough

My only concern would be, how safe was my job through out this, as furlough is to secure jobs. Sounds like your boss can not afford to bring you in off furlough so is taking advantage of how it works to keep his head above water without having to bring you back in and taking over paying your wages

Grumpy_chap

suki1964 said:

My only concern would be, how safe was my job through out this, as furlough is to secure jobs. Sounds like your boss can not afford to bring you in off furlough so is taking advantage of how it works to keep his head above water without having to bring you back in and taking over paying your wages

We don't know what sector the OP is in or how the business has been affected by COVID-19.  This may be a genuine case of work building back up in fits and starts with the employer planning work to bring people back for sensible periods and maintain the option to furlough again.  Maybe the employer is hoping not to have to do that.

suki1964

Grumpy_chap said:

suki1964 said:

My only concern would be, how safe was my job through out this, as furlough is to secure jobs. Sounds like your boss can not afford to bring you in off furlough so is taking advantage of how it works to keep his head above water without having to bring you back in and taking over paying your wages

We don't know what sector the OP is in or how the business has been affected by COVID-19.  This may be a genuine case of work building back up in fits and starts with the employer planning work to bring people back for sensible periods and maintain the option to furlough again.  Maybe the employer is hoping not to have to do that.

Maybe, as you say we don't know

Ive just been furloughed myself  - this week after being in work throughout, with overtime - and I would be very concerned if in 3 weeks I was called in, then let go again after a week. I know where I work we are struggling which is why I agreed to being furloughed. In 3 weeks we are reassessing , if its a question if me coming and going Id personally be asking myself how safe my job was long term and would be looking for new work.

leepatston

Thanks for the quick responses.

does each time you are furloughed have to be a minimum of 3 weeks?

i have done 2 months already with the current furlough.

sharpe106

Yes that the minimum after a break.