Furlough

ruth1948

I went back to work on 2nd nov after being furloughed then it was announced that it was again being extended until March 2021 so I was asked into a meeting and I was told my choices were go home and go on SSP which is just over £94 week which I can’t live on I am 72 years old have worked for this company full time for 21 years I told them my concerns because of my age etc but they said it would cost them money to furlough me I told them it wouldn’t they said that but they would have to pay their portion of NI told them that they would have to pay this even if I was on SSP plus it is tax deductible so it wouldn’t cost them anything I was then told that because of the workload I had to work in the office there are 35 working in the office and seven working from home I have been told that I can’t work from home so I have been given 3 different reasons why they won’t furlough me I know I can’t make them but it just seems so unfair and I am really worried

what are your thoughts

thank you

ruth

ReThinkMoney

Unfortunately our thoughts are not going to change the outcome, companies can choose to not furlough without giving a reason as it's completely their choice.  The only option would be to hand your notice in or accept SSP as if you refuse to goto work then you can be dismissed.

poppy12345

They are correct, it does cost your employer to furlough you. Were you sent a a letter to shield for the first lockdown because you're classed as extremely vulnerable? If you weren't then your age doesn't automatically put you in the most at risk group and you'll need a fit note from your GP to claim SSP.

Either way, it's entirely the decision of your employer whether they choose to furlough you and there's nothing you can do if they refuse.

gary83

I think most people heard the news that furlough was being extended until March and just assumed that companies would all voluntarily agree to it. apart from the points already being raised from the companies perspective they have work that needs to be done, it would cost NI contributions, holidays would still build up & buried within the announcement of the extension was this line;

The government will review the policy in January to decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/extension-of-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

So companies don’t even know and can’t plan for how much it would cost them to keep you furloughed, will you be any happier to return to work in January? March? Before a vaccine is rolled out?

Jeremy535897

You have a contract of employment that states what you will be paid for the hours you are expected to work. Contrary to what most people seem to believe, employers cannot simply treat you as if you are on a zero hours contract with no length of service. Your contract may specify terms where you can be asked to take unpaid leave, or work shorter hours, but after 21 years of service you have built up a substantial redundancy entitlement. See https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking/guarantee-pay 

ruth1948

thanks thanks everyone for your comments I though as much but just wanted a rant🤣 and to get other opinions thank you all again
ruth

Grumpy_chap

"because of the workload I had to work in the office"

If there is work to be done, then I agree with the employer that they can't furlough you.

68ComebackSpecial

ruth1948 said:

I was told my choices were go home and go on SSP which is just over £94 week which I can’t live on I am 72 years old 

I can't see that you are even eligible for SSP if you don't return to the office - it's an option solely if someone is notified that they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Unless you have received an NHS shielding letter you don't fall into this category - your age alone does mean that you are more vulnerable, but not necessarily extremely vulnerable.

elsien

So just to clarify, your employer is willing to keep you working in the office but if you don’t want to do that they are declining to furlough and telling you to claim SSP? 
if that’s the case, it’s not a redundancy situation as referenced above.