Employer refusing to furlough

carolinemarie

I work for a well known supermarket chain in one of their clothing and homeware stores. We’ve been forced to close due to the 2nd lockdown. During the 1st lockdown we were posted to other stores in other counties which were already fully staffed and struggled to pay our wages towards the end but we got travel costs back. This time we’re being asked to travel to high risk areas to again fully staffed stores they won’t pay transport costs and the only other option is to take holidays and or unpaid leave. Can they legally get away with this? 

rosiesposies

Yes, probably something in your contact about temp work locations

Andy_L

Unless you have a lay off clause in your contract they cannot send you home without pay - they could however make you redundant I stead
They can force you to take (paid) holiday, providing they give you 2x the duration of notice
As rosieposies said, if you contract has a mobility obligation they can send you to other stores. Payment of travel costs in that case also depends on contract. 

macman

Employer is perfectly entitled to 'refuse to furlough'. Your real issue is whether they can contractually require you to work at other locations and not pay your additional expenses. As others have said, you need to look at your contract.
If your contract does not require this, then they must pay you as per contract or make you redundant.