Denial of furlough pay by an employment agency

rebeccaabbot

I was furloughed by my employment agency  for about 6 mts earlier this year, but the payments (about £65 per week) ceased once the agency had to start covering NI and pension payments (not that I pay either of these, as my earnings are very low).

With the Chancellor’s recent announcement, I asked the agency if they would re-furlough me, since they would have nothing to pay in my case, but they say it is too expensive because they have to fund, in fact, my holiday pay out of their own pocket. In normal times, my holiday pay would be added to my earnings and I don’t actually claim holiday, as the work is seasonal (during university term time).

So, because of this legal requirement that they have to pay holiday pay, I am not being furloughed. This seems very unfair.

 Have others faced a similar predicament?

[Deleted User]

Might be unfair, however you have no entitlement to furlough, it’s at the employers discretion. 

MattMattMattUK

Other people who are on casual/zero hours contracts etc. have not been placed on furlough, this is not uncommon due to the costs for the employer. There is no right to furlough and it is entirely at the discretion of the employer. If you are no longer employed then you should check your entitlement to any benefits such as nsJSA and Universal Credit.