Furlough

[Starlive23]

Just a quick one! I'm currently furloughed, I work 3.5 days per week. Have just found out from a colleague that my boss has hired a temp to do my job for a couple of days per week, basically on a zero hours contract.

Is this legal? Seems a weird time to be hiring temps if they have at least 3 members of permanent staff furloughed!

Just curious really. It sounds a little off to me.

[ouch321]

I don't think there is anything stating that any employer can't hire whilst all this is going on so doubt it is illegal.

Morally on the other hand...

Probably by paying him or her for a few hours per week and sticking your salary through furlough scheme he or she just saves money.

[Starlive23]

Thanks @ouch, I think I was just surprised to be honest! It seems an odd time to hire when they have been talking about possible redundancies!

[ouch321]

There's lots of lawyers on here so sure someone can properly advise soon.
It's a bit grey - I don't think you can advertise for the same role if one is paid on a salary basis and then you advertise the same role as hourly. That I think breaches employment law.

But you've not yet been made redundant.

Maybe they're trying to get this person on the payroll now as they'll be cheaper on the long term.

Sorry, that would be my suspicion and I would keep a close eye and start thinking What If...

[Starlive23]

Yes that's absolutely my suspicion. I fear they will keep me furloughed until last possible moment and have someone cheaper doing the work, just hope there is no redundancy as I think in that case what they have done would be considered to be illegal maybe? If they kept on the temp and made me redundant? Just seems dodgy.