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 retention bonus and financial support for self-employed to help UK organisations manage and sustain their workforces during this difficult period. The government has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until 30 April 2021.
We have produced a set of useful FAQs on the Government’s Job Retention 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.
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Furloughing employees - FAQs for employers on the coronavirus job retention scheme
14 January 2021
Furlough scheme extended until end of March
05 November 2020The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (aka the furlough scheme) has been extended until the end of March 2021. Although this is welcome and will allow for more effective business planning, the new five-month extension may mean some employees will spend an entire year on furlough.

Furlough scheme extended as England gets set to enter new lockdown
03 November 2020The prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended rather than closed as originally planned. The extension will cover a new lockdown in England which is expected to come in on 5 November 2020 and last until 2 December 2020.

Government to pay bonus for retaining furloughed workers
05 October 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 payable after 15 February 2021. Further guidance on the scheme was published on 31 July and 2 October.

What happens to furloughed workers when the government scheme ends? Lucy Lewis comments for Yahoo
02 September 2020The coronavirus outbreak has not only caused thousands of deaths around the world but has caused untold damage to the economy: on 7 May the Bank of England warned the pandemic will push the UK economy towards its deepest recession on record.

Your ten point plan for the Autumn
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Tips for managing grievances during the Covid-19 pandemic
17 August 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.

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.