Furlough and going back to work

[candle18]

Just wondered if you are furloughed can you be called back to work at any time, does it have to be for a minimum time and does the employer need to give any notice for you to go back?

my employer says 3 days notice to come back, dontknow if thats the rules or just them

I've been furloughed and we've been told that we'll get 72 hours notice in regards to going back to work.

I'm not sure if this is a rule or guideline though. Did you receive any information when you were originally furloughed?

There are no official rules on notice, but I'd expect employers to give as much notice as possible - but furlough has to be for at least 3 weeks

They'd probably know when they want you back e.g. if they're going to open up say a takeaway service or something. I guess they can give you a couple of days notice - it's not like you're going to be on holiday!

If furloughed under the official the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), you should be off for a minimum 21 days (3 weeks). You can then be called back at any point, without notice. From there, you could work any amount of time, and not go back off; or you can be furloughed again. However, same rules apply - min 21 days, for the organisation to claim via the CJRS.

Remember, the reason to “furlough” you was a temporary measure and an alternative to redundancy (which is a permanent decision), so they can bring you back whenever; without notice.

The 21 day thing is only to claim money via the government. So if you were furloughed and then the organisation decides to bring you back before 21 days, they are able to do that, but it just means they can’t claim the money to pay you, but still legally need to pay you dependent on what was in your agreement when you went off eg 80% pay, or topped up.

Thanks all. I was asking for my son who has been furloughed. The shop he works in has reopened but he hasn’t heard anything from them yet so may be on a skeleton staff initially.