Furlough: how much notice to return

Grumpy_chap

Good one @sbylouk - glad it worked out for you

sbylouk

Grumpy_chap said:

Good one @sbylouk - glad it worked out for you

Thanks 😊 it really helped posting here; I got my thoughts straight and came up with a very good reason why it was unreasonable that they couldn’t argue with.

adonis10

I think at least a day is reasonable, otherwise one really has to question the planing processes in place within the organisation. I read one comment which suggested it is not holiday (quite correct) and you should not go out until outside of working hours - that really is not reasonable. “Do the garden” - what about those in flats? Stay in from 9-5 waiting for a call, for 1/2/3/4 months? Don’t be silly. The employer should have set out the terms when they decided they were furloughing the employee.  Mine stated that they would give 3 days notice which I found perfectly reasonable. 

phillw

Grumpy_chap said:
and the more you set yourself up for them to just say "yes, we do mean to be available from 8 til 6 as that it what furlough requires" and then testing you.

You are allowed to take another job while Furloughed, so clearly you aren't expected to be available at ten minutes notice. You can also be on Furlough if you are sick.
I wouldn't push it though, it will make them more interested in pushing you.

neilmcl

phillw said:

Grumpy_chap said:
and the more you set yourself up for them to just say "yes, we do mean to be available from 8 til 6 as that it what furlough requires" and then testing you.

You are allowed to take another job while Furloughed, so clearly you aren't expected to be available at ten minutes notice. You can also be on Furlough if you are sick.
I wouldn't push it though, it will make them more interested in pushing you.

Only if your employment contract allows it.

phillw

neilmcl said:
Only if your employment contract allows it.

Sure, but it means Furlough doesn't require you to be available at a minutes notice.

It says you need to be available to return to work, so you can't be out of the country etc.

These solicitors advise 48 hours written notice for return to the workplace.

https://hjsolicitors.co.uk/employers-guide-returning-to-work-after-furlough-leave/

Nobody seems to have clear guidance on coming off furlough to work from home, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect people to be on constant alert in case they missed an email to return that day.