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Original poster

Reduction to 80% pay whilst still working from home

40 replies

Mumtwo2three3 · 29/03/2020 19:09

Is my employer being unreasonable to tell their staff they will be reducing to 80% salary for at least 3 months whilst still working full time from home?
Half of my colleagues have been placed on furloughed leave and will receive 80% salary as this will be claimed back from government but while they are furloughed and won’t actually be working myself and colleagues are expected to work 37hours a week from home but only receive 80% of our salary for next 3 months at least. Is this unreasonable and even legal?

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 29/03/2020 19:13

Yes i think thats unreasonable, dont know where you stand legally though

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 29/03/2020 19:16

they need to pay you your full wages. what is there reason for not doing so

Sparklfairy · 29/03/2020 19:25

They're essentially getting free labour from you; your 80% paid by the government and they pay nothing. That's not what furlough is for; it's to keep your employment position while there is no work for you to do.

Either you're on 80% doing no work or 100% working full time from home.

Littleelffriend · 29/03/2020 19:26

Mine have done exactly the same

DameFanny · 29/03/2020 19:29

If they're asking 80% from the government while you're not furloughed, that's fraud. Report them?

ItsGoingTibiaK · 29/03/2020 19:33

Do you mean your employer is not furloughing you, but will only be paying you 80% of your salary while you still work full time. So they're not claiming the 80% from the government?

GatoFofo · 29/03/2020 19:34

They would be reasonable only if they also reduce your hours to 80% (4 day week).

delilahbucket · 29/03/2020 19:36

They can't legally do that. They either furlough you and pay you 80% or they pay you in full while you work. They can't just start docking wages. Are you in a union? If not, ACAS might be worth a call.

cabbageking · 29/03/2020 19:38

If you are working as normal then you are paid for it.

If you can not work, or there is no work etc then you can be furloughed instead.

You are one or the other and a discussion about this needs to happen.

They can choose to pay 100% instead of 80% at their own cost for those furloughed. But not the other way around.

Ask them to clarify if you are or are not a furloughed employee in writing.

I think they are confused

Marieo · 29/03/2020 19:39

Er yes, because furlough means you won't be working. They will be committing fraud by expecting the government to pay 80% wages whilst their staff are still doing any work, let alone full time. FFS I wondered how many businesses would take the absolute mick.

Pulppixies · 29/03/2020 19:52

Report them

OliviaPopeRules · 29/03/2020 19:54

Marieo read the op that is not what the business are doing.

Original poster
Mumtwo2three3 · 29/03/2020 19:58

As far as I’m aware they will be paying us the 80% to work our full time hours and they will be seeking payment from the government from those on furlough.
I should mention I’m employed through the travel industry which is obviously being hit really hard by this but my colleagues and I are really disappointed in how they are treating us for still being committed to our work.
Plus my thoughts are that they have already furloughed a huge amount of staff for which they don’t have to cough up wages for and now cutting our wages by 20% so it is all a bit underhand.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumtwo2three3 · 29/03/2020 19:59

Oh and I’m not in a union, never been given the option

OP posts:
Marieo · 29/03/2020 20:03

Okay yeah you're right, my bad! But no, if you are working full time you need to seek advice as they aren't able to cut your wages.

Original poster
Mumtwo2three3 · 29/03/2020 20:03

Cabbageking They have confirmed by email That I am not furloughed as I am essential staff and that my pay will reduce to 80% for at least next 3 months. I have several colleagues in same department that have received same email

OP posts:
AllTheProsecco · 29/03/2020 20:04

Following with interest as DHs company have also done a mix of furlough and asking staff to take a pay cut but work same hours.

PerfidiousAlbion · 29/03/2020 20:05

Our MD has said that the management team will have to take a 20% pay cut but keep working whilst this is going on. The sales dept. will be furloughed and the admin team will work from home on full pay.

#makingitupashegoesalong

It’s alright for him, he’s a millionaire in his sixties and has had a lifetime to amass wealth.

Pennyandthejets · 29/03/2020 20:11

I've also had to take a paycut, working in the travel sector. It wasn't an ask it was a 'this is happening' and it's for a substantial amount of time.

museumum · 29/03/2020 20:15

My dh is anticipating a 20% paycut and continuing to work hard from home (12 hrs one day last week).
Junior staff who can’t really work without supervision are furloughed.
It’s a bit shit but at least the criteria (seniority) mean the lowest paid get the best deal.

DameFanny · 29/03/2020 20:15

OP an employer will very rarely offer you a union - you join one yourself and your employer isn't allowed to stop you. If highly recommend you look into it now, as I would everyone.

bringonyourwreckingball · 29/03/2020 20:19

If you are still working they can’t reduce your pay. They can rotate staff in and out of furlough at 80% pay, not working and getting pay from the government but they can’t cut your pay without agreement and they can’t claim from the government if you are still working, that’s fraud

snackarella · 29/03/2020 20:19

As an HR consultant, I can advise

If you have a 'shortage of work' clause in your contract then they can reduce your working hours and pay

If you don't, they can ask you if they can do it and you can decline, but the alternative is to make you redundant.

Furlough is only for people they have no work for, so they are not allowed to carry out any duties at all.

PinglePongle · 29/03/2020 20:24

I am in the same position, been told to work from home for 80% pay whilst others have been furloughed.

Difference being is that I am working my notice period and I haven't dared contest as I feel they will refuse to pay me at all as I have kids at home and could be forced into unpaid carers leave