Who comes out of furlough?

[MindBoggles]

How does an employer choose who comes out of furlough when things pick up?

My sister isn't bothered by this (she wants to be at home with her kids) but I think she's been unfairly treated. Her workplace had a call today after no contact since the start of furlough 1st April. She has been told that one person in her team has been brought out of furlough. They were described as the cheapest possible option within that band of experience - in addition to not having other responsibilities (ie kids)! Although the kids part was not said just 'other responsibilities' The person selected is a childless male in his 20s.

Is this unfair? How should an Employer choose? Should the whole team have been placed under consultation like a redundancy and then people selected to come out of furlough. She said it makes business sense so the consultation if held would have had the same outcome. I guess criteria can be set to create the desired outcome.

[MaryAnneMumof2]

I think it’s up to the business and they will need to do whatever is most economical I guess

[Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese]

I think it's upto the individual companies to do what make sense financially.

My dhs company are doing it on a rotation through the team, not even looking at personal circumstances.
The team are being furloughed in batches of 4 for 3 weeks.
There are 12 team members, so if we exit lockdown at the end of this 3 week period, 4 of them won't have been furloughed.

[MindBoggles]

So my sis is right!! I thought there should have least been a call/consultation. She's not really worried (at the moment) said she totally gets her bosses decision - said it makes sense commercially BUT it irked me!

[travailtotravel]

Your sister is correct. It's up to business need. Minimum 3 weeks. Lots of orgs are rotating. Lots have everyone possible on furlough. Lots went for the most expensive. No one way to do it. Of course coming out if this when the government announce they will end payments, then there'll need to be formal consultations etc but only if jobs will be lost/ redundant.

[PicsInRed]

I see what you're saying OP.

I would love to see the post crisis stats on what demographics are most likely to be brought out of furlough and keep their jobs and what demographics are more likely to lose theirs. Doubt there will be many surprises, sadly.

[Thefaceofboe]

I wouldn’t look too much into it. If they chose your sister, he might think It’s unfair. Employers can’t win

[Lumene]

Companies are allowed to furlough people with childcare responsibilities. V different if they used that criteria to make them redundant though!

[MARMITEcheese2020]

Dh offered to be furloughed as he knew they don't have enough work. The other guy didn't want to. But he is a single male living with parent and his words were he can't sit indoors all day.
We have a teen toddler and newborn so it's perfect so to speak for us. Although I'm a sahm and am fine with them being indoors is a whole diff scenario so I find it harder so to speak so him being off has been great. The financial side isn't but my MH is worth more than money

[MindBoggles]

Yes I do wonder what the demographics will be - I think that's why it made me cross!

She said she's happy as needs to home school etc while her DH works.

Let's see what happens when furlough is over!!

[Waxonwaxoff0]

Yes, I think it will be up to the business.

My place of work is closed but when they reopen I will definitely be the last one to come out of furlough. There are 5 of us in the office, I am the most junior staff member so my job can be done by anyone and I'm the only one with a dependent child.