Can my employer furlough me (2023)

Lexis200

Hi all, 

It's been a struggle to find any recent information on this, everything is geared towards the CJRS pandemic furlough.

My employer (a small sheet metal fabricator) is struggling due to the economic downturn, and we currently have no work and only a few orders through the system. As such, the 4 workshop staff are kicking our heels and doing "busy work".

My question is, is furlough still a thing, not the government scheme, but privately? Currently we have the option of "working", taking holiday, or taking days off unpaid. If furlough is still a thing, I could suggest it to the owner and everyone would benefit.

If it is possible le, are there any post-pandemic resources that anyone knows to suggest rates (like the 80% pay thing of CJRS) and how we go about amending the contracts etc?

To be clear, it's me wanting to suggest it, not the employer pushing it onto us, I just don't want to sound stupid if furlough isn't a thing any more in 2023. 

Thanks in advance

MattMattMattUK

Lexis200 said:

Hi all, 

It's been a struggle to find any recent information on this, everything is geared towards the CJRS pandemic furlough.

My employer (a small sheet metal fabricator) is struggling due to the economic downturn, and we currently have no work and only a few orders through the system. As such, the 4 workshop staff are kicking our heels and doing "busy work".

My question is, is furlough still a thing, not the government scheme, but privately? Currently we have the option of "working", taking holiday, or taking days off unpaid. If furlough is still a thing, I could suggest it to the owner and everyone would benefit.

If it is possible le, are there any post-pandemic resources that anyone knows to suggest rates (like the 80% pay thing of CJRS) and how we go about amending the contracts etc?

To be clear, it's me wanting to suggest it, not the employer pushing it onto us, I just don't want to sound stupid if furlough isn't a thing any more in 2023. 

Thanks in advance

No, there is no such scheme during normal times, it was entirely tied to CJRS and that has ended.

Lexis200

Hi, I understand there's no scheme any more, but can an employer furlough staff "privately", ie. an agreement between employer and employees, with relevant reduced payments for tax and NI etc.

Maybe it just wouldn't be called furlough any more, a variation of contract maybe? 

It just seems daft for him to be paying full wages while we sit around pretending to look busy, when he could furlough us (or whatever that might be now), turn off the workshop lights and welding plants etc, and save money while still having us available if a job comes in. 

BrassicWoman

is there a short time work or layoff clause in your contracts?

there is nothing to prevent you and your employer agreeing temporary 80% pay, 80% hours, or whatever arrangement suit, as long as everyone is in agreement.

DullGreyGuy

Furlough existed before covid and will exist post covid too... it just entered into common language because of covid and it was unusual given the government backing of the scheme. 

You'll need to check your current contract and what it says, if there is no mechanism there then either you can simply all agree to it without adjusting contracts or the contracts can be adjusted. 

MattMattMattUK

Lexis200 said:

Hi, I understand there's no scheme any more, but can an employer furlough staff "privately", ie. an agreement between employer and employees, with relevant reduced payments for tax and NI etc.

Maybe it just wouldn't be called furlough any more, a variation of contract maybe? 

It just seems daft for him to be paying full wages while we sit around pretending to look busy, when he could furlough us (or whatever that might be now), turn off the workshop lights and welding plants etc, and save money while still having us available if a job comes in. 

They could make you redundant, 100% saving on your wages. 

Would you accept working part time for part time wages?

Lexis200

MattMattMattUK said:

They could make you redundant, 100% saving on your wages. 

Would you accept working part time for part time wages?

Yes I appreciate they could make me redundant, maybe they will, but I'm trying to propose something that helps everybody in the short term rather than me having to find a new job, and him trying to find an experienced  welder/fabricator that also knows the quirks of the business.

Part time is an option I could float to him, thanks. 

Lexis200

DullGreyGuy said:

Furlough existed before covid and will exist post covid too... it just entered into common language because of covid and it was unusual given the government backing of the scheme. 

You'll need to check your current contract and what it says, if there is no mechanism there then either you can simply all agree to it without adjusting contracts or the contracts can be adjusted. 

Thanks, that was what I was trying to get at. Furlough (the word) wasn't in normal parlance until 2020,certainly for me. I'd heard it in the USA, but not here. I wondered if it was just a one-off thing here. Apparently not! 

No contract as such, just the legal minimum details, so it's something I'll broach with him, and get in writing if he goes for the idea. 

Undervalued

How long have you worked for this employer?

Obviously if that is less than two years there is little job security and no redundancy entitlement.

Lexis200

Undervalued said:

How long have you worked for this employer?

Obviously if that is less than two years there is little job security and no redundancy entitlement.

4 1/2 years. I'm good in that respect. 

I'm not trying to get one over in my employer, and he's unlikely looking at redundancies, I'm just trying to give him options he probably hasn't considered to tide him over while we're going through this quiet patch. 

TELLIT01

Lexis200 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

They could make you redundant, 100% saving on your wages. 

Would you accept working part time for part time wages?

Yes I appreciate they could make me redundant, maybe they will, but I'm trying to propose something that helps everybody in the short term rather than me having to find a new job, and him trying to find an experienced  welder/fabricator that also knows the quirks of the business.

Part time is an option I could float to him, thanks. 

If people are currently on full pay for not doing a full day's work, I'm not sure all of them would want their hours and pay to be cut.  Your consideration for your employer is admirable, but don't expect it to be universally popular.  Many people struggle when they are getting full pay.