Furlough pay dropped from 100% to 80%

shadowfortress

Hi,
I was furloughed back in April. And then once again in June and then each month after that, and it looks like they will keep me on furlough for as long as they can. My question is I think a simple one. When I began furlough, they agreed to top up my salary to 100% and then also for my second stint (1 June to 1 July). From 1 July they decided to drop my pay down to the legal minimum of 80%. Since each month they require me to sign a new furlough agreement stating my new furlough salary, I assume they can legally do this, but I just wanted to make absolutely sure as losing this 20% income is obviously a blow to my finances.

Thanks for the input.

[Deleted User]

Yes, they can do it.

shadowfortress

I thought so, thanks. I guess the confusion for me was that on each new furlough letter I sign there are two dates, the original date that my furlough began and the new date related to the extension.

superbigal

Take some of the holidays you will have been racking up if you need 100%

Penguin_

Fair play to your employer topping your furlough pay up to 100%!

markh1965

80% of something is better than 0% of nothing.

[Deleted User]

Most people who were furloughed were on the 80% so your lucky it was been topped up to start with. 

epm-84

MarkN88 said:

Most people who were furloughed were on the 80% so your lucky it was been topped up to start with. 

Agreed.

It should be noted unless your contract states your employer can ask you to stay at home and you'll get 80% of your pay while you aren't working, you don't have to accept furlough.  However, the alternative to furlough may be redundancy so unless you're planning to leave and have been there for a number of years it's wise to accept furlough on 80%.

diggingdude

Agreed with the comment to use some holidays if your employer isn't already making you. Will boost your money.  I know someone who went back yesterday after months off and tried to book next week of as leave. I wouldn't be impressed

Biscuit49

I think you have to take it as a positive you have been paid 100% all this time, obviously dont know your circumstances but for most people that would mean being better off as no commuting costs involved, and for many even at 80% pay once savings taken into account there is marginal difference in income.