Furlough after maternity- vulnerable

PRINCESS_3

Hello. I’m a supply teacher and have contacted my agency to return to work beginning in March. I’m on the extremely clinically vulnerable shielding list and obviously schools are currently closed. I’ve contacted the agency to advise id like to return and if I could be furloughed from March 1st and provided my shielding letter. They have advised they cannot furlough me unless I have another shielding letter for March (this one only goes up until 21/2). Even if I get my vaccine I’m still concerned about returning before I’ve had both doses which means earliest return being May if I’m vaccinated in the next week! I can’t afford to be on maternity any longer. Please help. Thanks Helen 

gettingtheresometime

Can you do on-line teaching?

sheramber

Is the present furlough scheme not only until 31 March?
Which os why you have been told you need another letter. 
You will need to wait to see if furlough is extended beyond March.

mattyprice4004

Ultimately the agency may choose not to refurlough you - the agency my partner does some work for are now not furloughing anyone shielding; it's either SSP or return to work.

theonlywayisup

sheramber said:

Is the present furlough scheme not only until 31 March?
Which os why you have been told you need another letter. 
You will need to wait to see if furlough is extended beyond March.

It was extended in December.  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-and-loan-schemes
Op, have you read here to see if you are eligible for anything other than furlough?  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-what-to-do-if-youre-employed-and-cannot-work

epm-84

PRINCESS_3 said:

Even if I get my vaccine I’m still concerned about returning before I’ve had both doses which means earliest return being May if I’m vaccinated in the next week! 

A first vaccine supposedly provides around 50% protection within 2-3 weeks of receiving it.  I'd suggest once you've had your first vaccine you check with your GP whether you're still classed as 'extremely vulnerable' as reducing the chance of you contracting COVID by around 50% may well be enough for you to be no longer 'extremely vulnerable', depending on what serious medical condition you have.

sheramber

If you are requesting furlough because you are shielding then it is reasonable for your employer to want a current shielding letter.
You can be furloughed without shielding but that is your employer's choice. Are other members staff furloughed since the school is closed?

gary83

PRINCESS_3 said:

Hello. I’m a supply teacher and have contacted my agency to return to work beginning in March. I’m on the extremely clinically vulnerable shielding list and obviously schools are currently closed. I’ve contacted the agency to advise id like to return and if I could be furloughed from March 1st and provided my shielding letter. They have advised they cannot furlough me unless I have another shielding letter for March (this one only goes up until 21/2). Even if I get my vaccine I’m still concerned about returning before I’ve had both doses which means earliest return being May if I’m vaccinated in the next week! I can’t afford to be on maternity any longer. Please help. Thanks Helen 

Just playing devils advocate to make sure you’ve thought everything through, not trying to just kick you whilst you’re down. 

The problem you have is not all schools are closed, many more kids are in them than during the first lockdown last year and teachers are continuing to provide online learning etc. You’re saying to your agency “I’d like you to continue paying my National insurance contributions for at least 4 months (although in all likelihood it’ll be longer, how much longer nobody knows but hopefully with a shielding letter sometime soon). I’d like you to claim 80% of my salary off the government to give to me. There’s nothing in it for you, other than presumably they’ll have a much happier and more loyal worker available at the end”

whilst we’d all like to think we lived in a world with benevolent employers, there’s plenty of examples on this forum & elsewhere where agencies in particular are either refusing to or simply can’t afford to pay out to staff with no money coming in. Whilst it’s not the best way of looking at it due to the way the CJRS was written you’re essentially asking for a favour off them, even with a shielding letter. If they were to refuse to furlough you, they’d be entirely within their rights & you’d expect only entitled to SSP/UC etc. I’m not trying to worry you or cause unnecessary panic, but have you thought of a plan B in case they refuse furlough?