Advice needed PLEASE. DH's company have shut down - but are refusing to pay the 80% of his wages!

[pleasepleasepleasehelp]

Going into a huge panic right now. DH's company have shut his local branch down today (because of coronavirus,) but have told the staff that they have GOT to go to another branch that's staying open, 20 miles away, with poor public transport, and where the branch already has a full compliment of staff.

19 staff work at DH's branch, and 15 of them don't - and can't drive. They all do odd shifts, (24/7,) and the buses stop at 7pm. So every single one of them is saying they are not going or they simply don't want to go.

None of the staff at the other branch want any of DH's branch there as they need and want their own shifts. DH and the staff at his branch would literally be just sitting there doing naff-all.

There is also the risk of him infecting people (or them infecting him.) Everyone has been told to stay in, and have no unnecessary journeys, and not mix with ANYONE, yet they are expecting DH to go to this other branch 20 miles away, and mix with potentially 100s of other people, when he could spend the 3 weeks just with me.

I am so worried about finances too, as they are saying they won't pay him, and may even risk him facing disciplinary action. The GOVERNMENT have demanded that we all STAY HOME, by LAW, and yet DH's company are demanding that DH goes to another branch, mixing with 100s of people.

Surely if his branch is shutting down, they HAVE to pay him the 80%?!

What some people are not yet understanding is that this retention scheme does not yet exist! It is being worked on urgently but it will be weeks probably much longer before employers see any of the 80%. In the meantime they can only pay if they have the cash or can get one of the loans.

OP you are wrong. Its a grant employers can apply for to avoid making people redundant. They don't have to and the likelihood is that they won't get any payments through until June time.

Im afraid they are not compelled to do what you want. Put somewhat harshly its a measure intended to help employers not employees.

Thanks for your help folks.

Tell them he has a cough and needs to self isolate. See what the situation is in 2 weeks.

Name and shame the company....

The GOVERNMENT have demanded that we all STAY HOME, by LAW

Not yet: it's not a legal requirement until the Act goes through, and until the government has specifically announced that it is using its powers under the Act.

If he says he has to self isolate, the most he'll be entitled to is statutory sick pay.

I am wondering now if he CAN self isolate. Will he get sick pay?

Won't it look obvious? After kicking off about them not paying 80%.

I think he’ll only get statutory sick pay but it will protect his employment status for two weeks which will give everyone time to get to grips with the situation.

How can he self isolate and get sick pay? Does he need a sick note?

Personally I wouldn’t be worried about how it looks. It’s self preservation at the moment and if he’s not happy that his employer is protecting him then it doesn't leave him with many options.

There’s a form on the 111 website for self-isolations.

Surely if his branch is shutting down, they HAVE to pay him the 80%?!
No. Sadly, they don't HAVE to.

And DH is in his late 50s, so in the 'at risk' group
Unless he has an underlying health issue, he is not at risk for being in his 50s. Vulnerable people are over 70 with health conditions. The 'at risk' are those with compromised immune systems who can be of any age.

The GOVERNMENT have demanded that we all STAY HOME, by LAW,
You are misinterpreting what they have said. We haven't got to stay at home by law (although that may change). They have said that if we absolutely cannot do our work from home then we should go to work. Companies should put social distancing plans in place.

You mention a hotel and I think the best you can hope for us that the Government decides all hotels should close. I would have thought that, if employees cannot be redeployed elsewhere then the employer would have to make the staff redundant and provide appropriate redundancy pay.

I sympathise with your situation but it doesn't help that your posts have incorrect information in them. You can always look at ACAS' website for correct information.

What does your husband do? Could he go and work in as supermarket as there are lots of vacancies at the moment.

Was totally with you till you said this ‘when he could spend the 3 weeks just with me.’ There are lots of us that are still having to work because our job cannot just be left (I work in care) I would love to just spend the next 3 weeks with my family, however I have to get up go to work and risk catching it as I have no other choice.

Now I just think you just want an extra paid 3 weeks sitting on your bum.

Late 50s with no underlying health conditions is not an at risk group. Does he drive? You keep mentioning that a lot of the other staff can't drive but leaving out if he can. Sadly they're not under obligation to pay him 80% of his wage whilst he's sat at home due the nature of the business (can't WFH).

A few times you have talked about your DH's situation and then said 'and people cannot get there as they can't drive.' Is that the situation for your DH? Is he unable to drive?

www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/if-the-employer-needs-to-close-the-workplace

Note it says "The government will be introducing the 'Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme'. This means employers can access financial support to continue paying the wages of employees who are temporarily sent home because there's no work."

I live with him and I have underlying health issues. (asthma.)

@Zzz1234 No you are taking my words out of context I mean, he could spend the 3 weeks just with me, and not risk bringing anything home to me, or getting anything himself, or spreading anything.

We have all been told to stay at home whenever possible, yet his workplace is trying to force him to a branch 20 miles away, (but is letting branch just down the road stay at home.)

we are NOT trying to get 3 weeks sitting on our arse.

@Cornettoninja Thanks for that. We will look at the 111 website and he will probably have to take sick pay.

I’d love not to be at risk of taking anything home to my family, I guess if you work in care/nhs it’s just tough shit.

OP, does your dh have a car? If so, he can drive there. Have you received a letter telling you to self isolate for 12 weeks? If not, you’re not in the at risk group,

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees

What some people are not yet understanding is that this retention scheme does not yet exist! It is being worked on urgently but it will be weeks probably much longer before employers see any of the 80%. In the meantime they can only pay if they have the cash or can get one of the loans
It does exist. Employers need to apply straight away. If a company has cashflow problems then they may qualify for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.

Employers need to start designating workers now and applying for the grant (and loan if applicable).

HMRC and other government departments and their IT providers have been working very hard behind the scenes for a number of weeks to make changes to systems and make things happen.

Just in case you didn't see my question, does your DH have access to a car and is he able to drive. Forget about other people, what about your DH?

I can understand why you are worried OP if you have asthma as that can be very serious in itself. I hope his employer will come to their senses and go for the 80% furlough to put your mind at rest.