To ask my boss to ‘furlough’ me?

[BlueThesaurusRex]

I’m pretty certain I’ll be getting a letter This week asking me to self isolate for 12 weeks (still not 100% sure though!)

If I do then I’ll be off work on SSP which my employer will have to pay for (after the 2 week refund from the govt)

If I get ‘furloughed’ then the govt will pay 80% of my wages for 12 weeks.

Obviously from my point of view the furlough is better but is it wrong to do this?

I don’t work in a key industry, none food retail

It depends on if your employer is allowed to do it OP. There will be rules.

Thank you- I agree, there will be rules, it’s just that there aren’t clear ones at the moment (unless someone on here knows otherwise!)

From what my boss says, who owns the company in work for, you have to be able to demonstrate that theres no work available for all employees. Or that income has reduced so much, they dont have a choice but to lay people off.

You also have to demonstrate that these people would all have jobs after its over.

I cant say these are facts, this is just what he said after getting advice from the FD and accountants.

Thank you, that’s helpful to hear from a bosses side!

Like a I said I cant verify it. It would mean a company cant choose to furlough you.

But I would see if you can verify it.

Good luck though x

OP, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your employer will not furlough you if you've been identified as an at risk person. It has to be SSP for that period.

Furlough rules are a leave of absence during economic downturns, recessions etc. Furlough spent necessarily mean its paid. The 80% funding injection from the government is for employees that employers have granted leave of absence because of the economic requirements of the companies. Furlough and the government funding are two separate issues.

Furlough can be implemented as in the US for example, when public sector workers were forced to take time off and were unpaid due to economic decisions by Trump.

Thank you - I’ll wait to see if a letter arrives next week

It is not the best news. Are you still working at the moment?

Yes I am

I’ve been told by GP to self isolate for 12 weeks. I’m a lone parent of two children, 1 primary, 1 secondary.

We are in the process of being set up to work from home so we can do video and conference calls and access the system remotely. Will be required to cover for co-workers, as needed. All whilst attempting to home educate.

I am fortunate not to be at risk of being laid off. However I have several chronic health conditions and am already in poor health at the moment.

If signed off sick, I will receive only a months full pay then 2 months half (better than many I know). 80% of wages would be brilliant but I am not eligible.

Letter hasn’t arrived yet but my company have closed all their shops for the foreseeable future... 80% for 3 months then hopefully a business to come back to at the end of it :/