furlough

LinnH

hi. if an employer closes a business due to their own illness (not covid related) can they  employer claim furlough for staff?

Dottydoolay

I wouldn’t have thought so, it’s a job retention scheme to cover losses related to covid I believe. 

[Deleted User]

Surely it can stay open, there must be someone that can operate the business in their absence? 

LinnH

it's a small cafe..which can and has been opened to serve carry out. but closed and furloughed staff when owner was ill

Sherilyne

My daughter's employer has just told her that he won't be furloughing her in Lockdown 2.  She started employment with them on 14 September.  We know this is wrong but he is not taking our word for it. Can anyone suggest what she can do within the next 2 days to put things right?  She is not the only one in this position?  Many thanks

bradders1983

What kind of contract is she on? 

Jeremy535897

Sherilyne said:

My daughter's employer has just told her that he won't be furloughing her in Lockdown 2.  She started employment with them on 14 September.  We know this is wrong but he is not taking our word for it. Can anyone suggest what she can do within the next 2 days to put things right?  She is not the only one in this position?  Many thanks

Better to start your own thread. Her employer can choose whether to furlough your daughter or not, assuming an RTI submission was made for her by 30 October (there is a cost to the employer of furlough), although the employer should follow employment law in how employees are selected for furlough if not all are furloughed. Your daughter hasn't really gained any employment rights as she has only worked there for seven weeks or so.

If your daughter has a contract of employment specifying a number of hours each week or month, she should be paid those hours, but her employer can simply sack her if she complains (with a week's notice), or put her on unpaid leave. If she has a zero hours contract, her employer can simply say he has no work for her.