DH: possibility of being re-furloughed?

[Carys11]

DH cleans p-t in a restaurant (very large fast food chain). Has been furloughed since lockdown on the basis of his normal three long shifts a week. He was very recently asked if he'd be willing to be unfurloughed and go back on the basis that he'd have four shifts for the first week at least.

Tonight was his second shift back. At the start of it, he was told that as business is quiet, he'd be given two shifts a week from next week until things picked up. The cleaning manager is still furloughed, as is the other cleaner. This he didn't know until this evening.

DH wanted to go back but is concerned that he'll be worse off than on furlough. Is it possible, in these circumstances, to be re-furloughed?

DH wants to work but is concerned that he's been asked because he is seen as very obliging and now, with only two shifts, he could be worse off than before - both before and after lockdown.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

It's tricky.

Do you claim tax credits?

No - no tax credits because of my income (though it is modest). Just read that flexible furloughing - ie back at work but employer claiming furlough grant for hours not worked does not kick in until July 1st. And that re-furloughing could not take place for at least three weeks after someone is back at work.

DH went back on basis that normal shifts would resume and did not, when he was rung, that his colleagues would remain at home for the time being. Ununionised sector. The decrease in shifts, announced this evening, could go on for some time.

You can only be re furloughed by your employer.
Our company is summoning everyone back next week.
They must all be available to work. Some have had to move due to the virus. Nobody will be re furloughed if there is work available.
If they do not chose to work they will be listed as absent without authorisation.

Right, no tax credit, so you would be a UC claim if you had to.

Have you checked your UC entitlement on his new shifts?

I think you need to weigh up those shifts vs eventual redundancy rather than more furlough.

Is there good reason to believe everyonr on furlough will be brought back if there is so much less work?

I accept this situation is crap, but probably better to be the obliging person brought back to work than the non-obliging person still furloughed but at greater risk of redundancy.