Furlough

[geekone]

Looking for some help

Looks like I am going to be furloughed, our company is using it as a way to boost profits. They are recruiting my equivalent who starts at the end of June, is this still allowed if I am furloughed?
I have been busier than ever and work from home anyway, I thought they had to prove that I was not busy, is this correct?
I will lose just over 25% of my salary we already have been told no one will get a bonus and my DH has lost 15% of his salary, can’t do over time and gets no bonus. All in all this is going to be really expensive. I just need a bit of advice if possible. I know this is because my boss is jealous of me somehow and wants to park me in a corner And forget I exist. Bloody Virus 🦠

[worriedandannoyed]

That doesn't sound lawful to me. Who will be doing your work? And they can reclaim 80% of your salary and must pay this to you. They can't pay you 75%. You will see your PAYE and NI reduce so you shouldn't be 29% out of pocket

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Picking through the points...

Well furlough is a way of boosting profits essentially, or stemming the flow of profit depending on which way you look at it. The whole point is that whilst sales/revenue is down the government are paying for some of the workforce costs and therefore reducing overall losses hopefully to a point where the company can survive.

Recruitment can still continue in roles even though other roles are on furlough.

They have to pay you 80% of your salary up to £2.5k per month.

If you think you're being treated unfairly due to the relationship with your boss the you need to start the grievance procedure in line with your company's policy.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

I don't believe they have to prove to anyone that your not busy to put you on furlough and reclaim the money. Sounds an admin nightmare. What they absolutely can't do is make you work whilst you're furloughed nor rotate you with others so 3 weeks on 3 weeks off etc.

[mbb1]

They can rotate you. I've been offered it and someone I know at John Lewis is doing it.

[geekone]

Thank you. They can rotate me but that probably won’t happen. The new person doesn’t start until 1st July and my furlough might finish on the 7th June.
They only need to pay me £2500 gross per month (£30000 per year) and I get paid £42000 per year so less that 25% of my salary.
The boss thing is different, he didn’t come on the call about furlough. I have been speaking to a solicitor about other issues a but those were then “forgotten” during Covid and I have actually not spoken to my boss since March 4th. I am going to put in a grievance when this is all over.
Thanks everyone

[geekone]

@HollyBollyBooBoo company made over £730M in profit last year and is in a sector which is not affected by recession. Our site has had a dip in sales in May partly due to Covid Partly due to having only one part time sales person since September (me)