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
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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.
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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.
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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.