Furloughing
Our advice on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and our guidance on how employers should respond in the UK and internationally.
The changing status of COVID-19 in the UK and internationally is raising numerous employment issues for organisations. The Government has introduced a number of measures including the Coronavirus Act 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, a job rention bonus and financial support for self-employed to help UK organisations manage and sustain their workforces during this difficult period.
We have produced a set of useful FAQs on the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, an insight and infographic on the Job rention bonus scheme and you can view the official guidance for employers here. Further guidance on workforce planning during the coronavirus pandemic is available below.
If you have further questions, or if you would like our support with your policy stance or any specific situation related to the new Government guidance, please do get in touch.
Related items
Government to pay bonus for retaining furloughed workers
31 July 2020The Chancellor has announced a new job retention bonus as part of its Plan for Jobs 2020. Employers who bring workers back from furlough and retain them in employment until the end of January 2021 will qualify for a £1,000 bonus, and further guidance on the scheme was published on 31 July.
New law on redundancy and notice pay for furloughed employees
30 July 2020In a piece of rapid-fire legislating, the government has passed new regulations intended to ensure that furloughed employees who are made redundant receive statutory redundancy and notice pay based on their “pre-furlough” rate.
Tips for managing grievances during the Covid-19 pandemic
20 July 2020Some sectors have seen high levels of employees on furlough or working from home. As restrictions ease and employees gradually start to return to “normal” working, this article considers the challenges HR may face in managing grievances that might arise during this time.
Furloughing employees - FAQs for employers on the coronavirus job retention scheme
10 July 2020The furlough scheme ends on 31 October 2020, with employers starting to contribute from August and a new flexible furlough option from July.
Coronavirus - our fifth employer survey
02 July 2020Our fifth employer benchmarking survey took place between 23 and 30 June 2020, and looked at the changes to the furlough scheme, risk assessments, homeworking equipment, employees stuck abroad and a range of other issues about the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
Chancellor announces arrangements for end of furlough scheme
29 May 2020The Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will close at the end of October, with a new flexible furloughing option from 1 July. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak opted for a “softly softly” approach as he announced the details of the phase out of the furlough scheme – but one which still leaves open the possibility of an end-of-October “cliff edge”.
Government amends the Working Time Regulations to allow holiday carry over for the next two leave years
13 May 2020The government has made amendments to the Working Time Regulations which will allow workers to carry up to 4 weeks of annual leave over into the next 2 leave years, and has just published some further guidance on how this is intended to work in practice. This will apply where workers have not been able to take their statutory annual leave entitlement due to coronavirus.
Furlough scheme extended until end of October
13 May 2020The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is being extended by a further four months until 31 October 2020.