Furloughed a week ago, being asked to go back in 2 weeks

[makingmiracles]

Dps company he works for furloughed them last week(they are not on the list of buisnesses to stay open) and yet this week he’s been called and asked to return to work on bank holiday Monday. Apparently it’s no pressure and if he still stays off he stays on furlough-which sounds like a load of crock to be honest-why would gov pay furlough when company has restarting trading!?! Surely anyone would be paid ssp if they choose to continue being off.
If it makes any difference he received a letter about being furloughed, but was not made to sign anything.
One employee has said he’s not going back as why would he if he gets 80% at home regardless.
Hate that everyone is so in the dark with this and that there’s nowhere to go for advice on this.

Can’t beleive the greed of the company that they are going back.

The cynical part of me thinks they haven’t applied/won’t apply for furlough, instead apply for the business interruption loan and had to keep them off a few weeks just to qualify or something. Dp is unhappy there so that’s pretty much sealed the deal for him now and he’s going to look hard for alternative work.

The minimum time an employee can be furloughed for is 3 weeks so depending on the date he was furloughed depends on when he should return to work.

If he was furloughed w/c 23rd then the bank holiday Monday would be the end of his 3 weeks & he can return to work as normal if the company is getting back to normal.

The company can continue to trade and still have some staff on furlough. For example they might need some staff but not others, or they might only need a few staff but not all of them because they’re not as busy. Of course employees don’t have to claim SSP - they’re not off sick??

The minimum you can furlough is three weeks, so maybe the three weeks will be up by then. You can also furlough some of the staff, and not all.

I’m not sure the employee can decide if they are furloughed - I think it’s up to the employer. If someone said they wanted to sit at home, and ‘earn’ 80% of their wages, and not be willing to return to work, then I think I may take a dim view of that as an employer.

I don’t think it’s greed of the company to want staff back. If anything, it’s less greedy, as they’re still trying to run a business in these trying times.

furlough rules

Official info on the scheme

I've been furloughed today, and fully expect it to be for a 3 week period (the minimum under the rules), and then to be back for a period before perhaps being furloughed again.

It wouldn’t of even been three weeks furlough, three weeks would have been the Wednesday after bank holiday Monday, wonder if a few days makes a difference and wether they will still pay 80% or full wage considering they may not even be elidgable for the furlough because of not meeting the three week rule.

They aren’t allowed to furlough you for any less than three weeks. If it’s less than three weeks it isn’t eligible for the government payment.

Also, the 80% isn't guaranteed unless it is in his contract (or addendum to if his contract is silent). Generally furlough is unpaid, it's the government who are suggesting (and supporting) 80% at this time. He could be furloughed and not be paid anything...

My employer is in the process of furloughing staff and we have been told that they will do it in three week blocks. So some of us will be furloughed for three weeks and will then work for three weeks while others are furloughed while we work. It is to reduce the impact on individual employees both in terms of the reduction in salary and time away from the company.