Notice period while on furlough

dawix

I am currently in consultation with possible redundancies happening soon. I have been furloughed since the end of March. Does anyone know if the employer is allowed to keep me on furlough during the statutory notice period before redundancy or do they need to call me in to work my notice or pay the notice in lieu?

sharpe106

Who knows basically. The government has not mentioned anything about notice period, all they have stated is that the Job retention scheme can’t be used for redundancy payment. So until the make an announcement or it has been decided in court you can make a good argument for both for them being able to keep you furloughed or for them having to pay you fully.  To me you best option would be to try to get them to pay it at your normal wage but if you can’t and it is wrong you claim it back in the future.

dawix

sharpe106 said:

Who knows basically. The government has not mentioned anything about notice period, all they have stated is that the Job retention scheme can’t be used for redundancy payment. So until the make an announcement or it has been decided in court you can make a good argument for both for them being able to keep you furloughed or for them having to pay you fully.  To me you best option would be to try to get them to pay it at your normal wage but if you can’t and it is wrong you claim it back in the future.

Thank you for this. I have tried to search for answers but nothing clear cut there regarding using furlough as part of notice period. I will push for the notice to be paid in full and see if I get it. Thanks again

sharpe106

As with many things the government has been quiet on this. Unsure why as they mentioned about redundancy payments and it was fairly obviously the scheme was going to be used to subsidy notice period.

gillyd123

I have been made redundant while on furlough - I am working my three months notice and getting 80% pay from the government under furlough and the company top it up to 100%. It's a cheap way for companies to get rid of staff and doesn't seem ethical. I still get paid holiday accrued and a lump sum when my three months notice is 'worked'.

JReacher1

When you say working. I assume you mean you’re on furlough for three months? They can’t make you work your notice and claim 80% from the government. 

gillyd123

Yes, I'm on furlough for three months until my notice period is over. Altough the scheme is called a job retention scheme it won't stop firms from claiming the furlough money and making staff redundant anyway.

sharpe106

Plenty of companies will be using it for that.

dawix

gillyd123 said:

I have been made redundant while on furlough - I am working my three months notice and getting 80% pay from the government under furlough and the company top it up to 100%. It's a cheap way for companies to get rid of staff and doesn't seem ethical. I still get paid holiday accrued and a lump sum when my three months notice is 'worked'.

Thank you for the reply. I will suggest that when I get it confirmed I will be made redundant.