Furlough?

MadcatladyAli

Hi my partner works for an agency as a chef. His last appointment ended 4/5/2020 and as restaurants are closed can't get any further work.
Is he entitled to claim under furlough ?
Should the agency be organising this or should he make his own claim? 

gary83

nobody can claim their own furlough, an employer has to do it on your behalf. It’s an optional scheme, many agencies have chosen not to use it.

[Deleted User]

He may be eligible to be furloughed by the agency, it depends on his employment status (self-employed vs PAYE), however no one is entitled to be furloughed, it is entirely at the employers discretion. They have to comply with the law and contract, but many agency staff are either zero-hours PAYE or self-employed so not paying him is probably their easiest and cheapest option.
He can not claim himself for furlough, it has to be done by the PAYE employer if someone has one, if he does not because he is self-employed (and meets the criteria) then he can claim through SEISS and if neither of those apply then applying for Jobseekers and Universal Credit are the remaining options. 

Grumpy_chap

Exactly how is your partner employed?

• PAYE via the agency?
• self-employed via the agency?
• own Ltd Co via the agency?
• umbrella co via the agency?

Each of these different cases will impact the exact rules for SEISS or furlough (CJRS).
If it is furlough, there will need to be quick action as the last date for new 'furlough-ees' is 10th June.  Given last work was over a month ago, why is this only a question now?

sharpe106

if he is going to get the agency to do it he will have to be quick last date is the 10th.