New job agreed before lockdown but mid November start date

Parabellum09

Hello,
Appreciate anyone who replies to this, I have tried to look into this but found no information so assume I'm probably in a tricky predicament.
Before Lockdown was even leaked, I took a job with a repair company that kept its workshop open during the original March lockdown.
I was assured at interview that if the area went into tier 3 they were still to stay open and were very keen to get me in as quick as poss.
I have confirmation of my start date for mid November with the company but that night I handed in my two week notice suddenly the leak comes out. Now the November lockdown is really happening, I contacted the employer to see if they could provide me with some reassurance. They said they are still expecting to remain open and seemed positive but did inform me if anything changes they will let me know.

So the obvious issue is that the new employer shuts down and I'm left in limbo land unable to be furloughed but neither able to work for payment. Has anyone seen anything in regards to this?

I would of thought that many people would be in this position given that most employers would have been ending their staffs furlough and redundant staff would be expecting to start new jobs in November.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

gary83

You are correct that the new employer wouldn’t be able to furlough you, if they closed and didn’t need you (although if they haven’t closed yet this year & are taking on more staff that’s a positive sign) if the worst came to the worst you could ask your old employer to rehire you’re solely to furlough you, they would be within their rights to say no & would basically  be doing you a favour that would cost them time and money to agree.

If the company has so far stayed open all year you’re  probably best worrying about crossing that bridge if & when it comes to it, in the meantime just try and maintain a good relationship with your soon to be ex employer 

epm-84

It is only really retail, hospitality and tourism that will be forced to close.  Boris made it very clear that those who cannot work from home can carry on going to work as normal, no-one's implying only essential or key workers can commute this time, unlike last time.

[Deleted User]

By the end of the week, I will have a new colleague. It isn't impossible to start somewhere. I thought one point my boss was going to save money with winter being quieter and needed one of us gone due to a serious problem but no we've hired a replacement again. I am in a business that remained open last time and fully expect to do so again.

Grumpy_chap

Quite possible the OP's new employer would be allowed to stay open and will do so.  Also possible that the business cannot yet say that for certain as the final decision may not yet have been made while the management digest the rules and likely market demand.

LosEndos

Question in a similar vein: My son has just started a new job as a Chef at a golf course on the 26 Oct. As hospitality they have now closed but say due to the start date they are not able to furlough him. They have been very good and put him on groundsman duty, but this is somewhat different to being a chef!
Anybody know what the rules for furloughing a new starter?
(I have googled, but there is so much covid/furlough stuff out there it is difficult to find useful info that answers my question)
Thanks
Edit: I believe the reason why is because  they had not made a Real Time Information (RTI) submission notifying payment for that employee to HM Revenue & Customs.

Jeremy535897

LosEndos said:

Question in a similar vein: My son has just started a new job as a Chef at a golf course on the 26 Oct. As hospitality they have now closed but say due to the start date they are not able to furlough him. They have been very good and put him on groundsman duty, but this is somewhat different to being a chef!
Anybody know what the rules for furloughing a new starter?
(I have googled, but there is so much covid/furlough stuff out there it is difficult to find useful info that answers my question)
Thanks
Edit: I believe the reason why is because  they had not made a Real Time Information (RTI) submission notifying payment for that employee to HM Revenue & Customs.

He won't have had an RTI submission by the cut off date of 30 October, as you say.

Jeremy535897

Detail now here, but not helpful:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/extension-of-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

poppy12345

LosEndos said:

They have been very good and put him on groundsman duty, but this is somewhat different to being a chef!

At least he has a job, many thousands don't.