Are we going to see situations where furloughed staff earn more than those working?

[Ultrasoft]

DS works for a fast food chain, has been furloughed since the scheme began.

They're starting to put plans in place for a safe reopening, which will be a very limited takeaway service, far fewer staff required than a normal shift, to help with social distancing in the kitchen.

He's very keen to get back and has been first to volunteer. However they are almost all on zero hours contracts, although DS usually worked about 45 hours pw. His furlough pay has been based on the average of the previous 12 weeks pay. So if he goes back and gets fewer hours because they need fewer staff, he could be paid less than those still on furlough.

Do you think they will recognise this and make sure it doesn't happen? I have to say, the local franchise holder is generally a very good employer.

This has already happened at my DP's school. Senior staff have been furloughed on 80% pay and the cheaper teachers are the ones working their arses off with live Zoom lessons etc.

If they are taking fewer staff but still opening the same times would it not mean those fewer staff will get more shifts as theres less people to cover?

This is such a tricky situation, and we faced it with a member of our staff. Our restaurant has been closed but used to open 5 days a week lunches and evenings.

We opened back up to do take away only and just in the evenings 4 days a week. We had a conversation with employee, and explained that we wanted to open to try and keep things ticking over until we can open fully again so he would be on reduced hours compared to previously. As he rightly pointed out, he will be worse off than just sitting at home with his family on 80% furlough pay, than earning wages on reduced hours and not getting any tips. I can see his point completely, why would he want to come to work?

Thankfully we came to an agreement which means he is getting more hours than we really need him so he's getting more or less the same as furlough pay, and a promised pay rise when things return to normal.

Are the ones working less likely to be made redundant in the future?

Not really maisie, in usual circumstances they struggle to get enough staff, so assuming things do get back to normal, the jobs aren't really at risk.