Furlough rules

sole2sole

I left my job to start my own  ladies clothes shop at the end of October. It is a limited company and I understand i cannot claim a grant as I have not been in Business long enough. What help is available as I feel am between a Rock and a hard place. Is it possibe for my ex company to re-hire me and furlough me ?I worked all the way through initial lockdown so I haven't been furloghed before. I have to close my shop on Thursday and don't know where to go for help. 

bradders1983

You can ask them but given it will cost them money they dont have to say yes. You may want to look at Universal Credit.

You picked a brave time to open a new retail shop.

gary83

it it may be possible for your ex employer to rehire you purely for furlough purposes, potentially you’re eligible however they don’t have to furlough you & as it will cost them time & money, it all comes down to how charitable they’re feeling, as there’s nothing in it for them.

as an aside if you only opened your shop in the last month you wont be eligible for grants, however you had an advantage over a lot of businesses in that you opened your shop knowing what a terrible year retail were having. did you have any back up plans for another lockdown? had you given it any thought? would it be possible for you to diversify or operate click & collect?

sole2sole

Thanks for the feedback. I wanted to kniw if i was actually eligible re-hire to furlogh. I rang my employer today.  They think you have to have already been furloughed. I appreciate it was a risk starting a new business.

gary83

You don’t need to have been previously furloughed, you can correct them on that point and send them the legislation, unfortunately you can’t make them if they still choose not to

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced

All employers with a UK bank account and UK PAYE schemes can claim the grant. Neither the employer nor the employee needs to have previously used the CJRS.

sole2sole

Thank you   where ii the best place to access the legislation. I appreciate they are not obliged to help but I was a loyal emplyee for 20 years

gary83

The quote I linked above is from the government’s own website, that page would be a good place to start, the highlighted paragraph shows their interpretation is incorrect. Good luck with the discussion, please come back and let us know how it turns out, personally I’d be interested to see companies attitudes.

sole2sole

I will. And thanks for your help

Grumpy_chap

Has the OP run a payroll for October?
It may be possible to be furloughed from the new business, albeit that will be a small amount.
I understand there is also a premises-related grant that may be available.

sole2sole

I was payed in October from my old job,

Anyway i have emailed them gov.uk guidelines abd await theur response

Thanks

warby68

I think I'd be asking for my actual job back rather than furlough, based on you making a big mistake in leaving after 20 years and them having no prior need to furlough you.
Surely you identified the possibility of more closures and had planned accordingly as its a very recent venture.