Employer refuses benefits for furloughed staff

Lulabell_99

I've been on furlough since 1st May along with 10 colleagues, our total workforce is around 60 people. During the last 8 weeks we've had no communication from our Employer at all. It's been a very anxious time indeed. I tried checking in with them this week for an update and have discovered that they have recently implemented some benefits for the employees still working, none of which have been offered to furloughed workers. The benefits include a hardship payment of £500 for anyone under a certain wage threshold, a company donation of £50 to a charity of each employees choice and an extra days holiday (when the business will close for a day). My question is, can they exclude furloughed workers from these benefits as we are technically still employees?

Grumpy_chap

So, you have been at home for 80% meaning others have effectively been working for 20% now you begrudge the others £500?

Semple

I can't see why not. It's basically a form of bonus, which your contract will no doubt say is at the discretion of the company. 

Do you not feel that your colleagues who aren't furloughed are not deserving of this bonus? Whilst you've been able to get 80% of your pay for no work. 

Lulabell_99

I don't begrudge anyone getting the £500, I am merely enquiring as to whether the company are within their rights to do this.Far from sitting at home having a lovely time, I have members of my team who are suffering severe anxiety over the furlough situation and with no contact from our Employer there is a real feeling that redundancies will be imminent. Please remember that furlough was not a choice for most people, it was forced upon us. If I can help anyone get an extra payment then I would like to do so, it could be very helpful for many people who are extremely worried about their jobs.

Jeremy535897

Employers can add benefits to individual workers' emoluments unless there is something like a union imposed restriction. 

poppy12345

Yes they can do this. They have been working all through lockdown, while the rest stays home with the 80% pay. As for redundancies, they yes like other people who are furloughed, it's possible.

Jeremy535897

If you are in a managerial position with regard to members of your team, and there are some who would have met the salary requirement for the hardship allowance, you could always enquire on their behalf (although I suppose this might constitute doing work while on furlough).

Lulabell_99

Thank you for your comments. Just to be clear, this is not a "bonus" payment to those who have worked all through lockdown. I worked from home with 2 small children for 7 weeks at the beginning so i know how tough it is. The employees still working have all been given assurances of bonus payments to reflect their hard work.
The payment I am querying is a hardship payment for employees who are struggling on lower wages.

bradders1983

So you are moaning that people who get paid, presumably, a lot less than you are getting £500 more? 🙄

Lulabell_99

This is not a moan, this is a query. I thought this was a forum to seek help and advice?
By the way, I am not a Manager and i too fall into the threshold for the payment. I thought I'd try and help a few people out, sounds like I am on my own.

Semple

Lulabell_99 said:

Thank you for your comments. Just to be clear, this is not a "bonus" payment to those who have worked all through lockdown. I worked from home with 2 small children for 7 weeks at the beginning so i know how tough it is. The employees still working have all been given assurances of bonus payments to reflect their hard work.
The payment I am querying is a hardship payment for employees who are struggling on lower wages.

I can't see any grounds for discrimination that would prevent the company from choosing whom to give a "hardship" fund to. It might seem unfair to those who are lower paid and on furlough. If anything it just flags that your employer isn't a very good one when it comes to looking after all their staff.