Short Time Working and Lay Offs Clause

[Fiftyplanner]

I have received a contract for a new role I’ve applied for (financial services profession) and it includes a Short Time Working and Lay Offs Clause which I’ve never seen before in any of my employment contracts.

Can anyone advise if this is normal? I have queried and been told it’s standard and never been invoked.

Is it an american company?

What does the clause say?

I'm in finance, never seen this clause in an employment contract in any sector I've worked in personally.

Look it up on ACAS website, it explains all about it there. Does the clause you've got, mention reduced or statutory minimum pay for lay-offs?

Is there a Union at your future workplace?

Just because something has never been invoked, doesnt mean it can't be. And in times like these, ie covid, I wouldn't put my faith in the "oh we've never relied on that clause" message.

Thing is, if it is a clause their HR team is insisting is standard, then you won't be able to pressurise them to remove it.

So the question is, if the clause was invoked, what pay do you get, and are you happy to take the chance?

I’ve worked on payroll years and am seeing the clause being put into contracts a lot more since March 2020 🤷‍♀️

It’s very very common in the U.K., very rarely used, but not unusual at all.

Thanks for your feedback everyone, I decided against the role, not solely due to the clause but it was def part of my decision - didn’t fancy potential of being laid off with no salary!