My husband has just been laid off

[wordonthestreet]

My husband was told today, after his shift, that his boss would have to let him go.m with immediate effect. He says he can't afford the 80% pay that he would need to give him as furloughed staff. is this right? I'm on stat mat pay so we really need something coming in. What can we do?

The govt pay the 80% - the employer 20%

the employer can pay the 20% they don't have to.

The government pay 80% but it’s paid in arrears until the gov grants are processed. They employer has no obligation to top up the additional 20%

The employer doesn't have to pay the extra 20 percent. My employer just giving us the 80.the issue is that they can't really afford to pay the 80. Even though they will get it back from the government. If they can't afford to pay it out at all then it's a tough situation

*the employer

Can he ask to be placed on furlough & then have his 80% backdated?

I know it doesn't help in the short-term though

Thank you everyone. The 80% would be enough to tide us over but I believe it isn't available immediately and the boss says he can't pay in the interim. My husband said he was happy to wait and get it backdated but the company have refused this. Is this allowed?

Sorry to hear this op same thing happened to me this morning and I can’t be put on furlough unfortunately

How longs your husband worked for them for?

He's work there 18 months.

The govt pay the 80% - the employer 20%
That’s not right at all.

Really sorry OP- must be very distressing for you.

The company are under no obligation to sign up for the wage grant scheme unfortunately. One potential reason why they wouldn't is if they have no money available to pay the wages. The interim loan scheme which should be available via the companies banks to cover wages until HMRC are ready are not yet active and may need some degree of personal guarantee by the business owner (i.e their own home).

The company have to pay the 80% and then claim it back off HMRC once the system is up and running. The company can top up the 20% if they wish to give their employees a full salary but they are under no obligation to do so.

You can’t make them furlough you ... it’s so frustrating.

Dh has been made redundant (with many others) they (large multinational corporation) refused to consider furlough because (& I paraphrase) it’s too much hassle. They think they have nothing to lose by axing everyone & rehiring in 6 months if needed. Fucking bastards.

I can’t be furloughed as I worked for an outsourcing company and the client has terminated the contract rather than riding it out to see how long this lasts so I won’t have a job to go back to. So i agree fucking bastards

Op, someone more knowledgeable than me will advise but I’d look to claim benefits as soon as possible, someone can advise what you’d be entitled to.

The employer doesn’t need to apply for the eighty percent. It seems his employer has no cash to pay his wage, I’m not sure why he would refuse to apply and back date it, maybe he’s worried about getting the money and your husbands employment rights by keeping him on the pay roll.

I’d apply for benefits ASAP.

I've been made redundant today while on maternity leave. My self employed partner will finish up next week. On the other hand, all my family are still well and properly self isolating. Trying to count my blessings in this shitty time.

Thank you everyone. The 80% would be enough to tide us over but I believe it isn't available immediately and the boss says he can't pay in the interim. My husband said he was happy to wait and get it backdated but the company have refused this. Is this allowed?

Unfortunately, yes. It is allowed. Really frustrating and I am so sorry for you OP.

Time to dust off the CV and apply for JSA/Tax Credits/UC in the meantime (if you can get through)