The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was created at such speed that it created many unanswered questions. The government has addressed many of these each time it releases a new iteration of the guidance. But, as Daniel Barnett examines, there is still an unclear issue.
From the past six versions of the government’s CJRS guidance for employers, we now know that TUPE applies, that employees can take holiday pay, how the training provisions work, and what the position is of company directors.
But what about notice pay? If an employee has agreed to accept 80% of their salary while on furlough, is their notice pay also paid at 80%, or does it revert by operation of law to 100%?
We know that over 4 million employees were reported as furloughed in the first week of HMRC’s online portal being open. If one tenth of those are made redundant when the scheme ends, that is 400,000 employees on furlough receiving notice payments. On an average salary of £30,000pa, and (say) an average notice period of four weeks, the difference between 80% and 100% is £461 per employee – or £184 million among 400,000 employees.
The technical legal position
The first question is: how much notice is the employee entitled to receive under their contract?
If they are entitled no more than one week’s greater notice under their contract than the statutory minimum notice period, then s87(4) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 gives them rights to minimum pay during their notice period. That is a “week’s pay” for every week of notice. Even that is not straightforward. The Employment Rights Act 1996 sets out several methods for calculating it, depending on whether the employee has normal working hours, and whether their pay varies with the amount of work done. Depending on the situation, the minimum guaranteed notice rights could be anything between 80% and 100% of normal.
If they do not qualify for minimum guaranteed notice rights, then their pay during a furloughed notice period will be whatever they have agreed to receive while on furlough – often 80% of normal salary subject to a £2,500 per month cap.
Example 1.
Kate has worked for her employer for 2½ years. Her contract says she is entitled to receive one month’s notice. She has agreed to accept 80% of normal pay while on furlough. Because she has worked for 2½ years, her statutory minimum notice period is two weeks. Her contractual notice period, one month, is at least one week more than the statutory minimum. Accordingly, s87(4) results in her not being entitled to statutory minimum notice rights, and her notice entitlement while on furlough is one month at her current contractual entitlement, i.e. 80% of normal salary.
Example 2.
Dave has worked for his employer for 15 years. His contract says he is entitled to three months’ notice. His statutory minimum notice is 12 weeks. He is given three months’ notice on 27 February 2020, which expires on 26 May 2020. That is a contractual notice period of 12 weeks and 6 days. 12 weeks and 6 days is not at least one week more than his statutory minimum notice (12 weeks), and so he is entitled to statutory minimum notice pay, which may be a figure between 80% and 100% of normal salary depending on the method of calculation.
Will tribunals follow that approach?
It is counterintuitive to allow employers to “get away” with paying less than normal notice pay during a notice period, because an employee was willing to forego part of their normal salary in an attempt to help their employer remain solvent and save their jobs.
There are a number of ways that a tribunal might (and probably will) ensure that employees receive 100% of their notice pay even if furloughed.
First, if an employee has a garden leave clause in their contract, and they are under notice, they could argue (with some force) that they are entitled to their normal garden leave pay, typically 100%. After all, they are on notice and being told not to do any work for their employer, which is exactly what garden leave is. This will be quite a compelling argument where a garden leave clause exists, but that will not be the case for many or most employees.
Second, a tribunal could imply a term that the employee’s agreement to reduce salary to 80% was only while they were not under notice, perhaps because the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is there to preserve, not remove, jobs.
The flaws in this argument are that (i) such an implied term would be inconsistent with the expressly agreed term to reduce salary to 80% during furlough; and (ii) that the CJRS does, in places, contemplate jobs ending due to redundancy while somebody is on furlough.
Third, for some (not all) employees who (i) are entitled to guaranteed minimum notice pay; and (ii) work normal working hours and their remuneration does not vary with the amount of work done, they can rely on a section in the calculation of a ‘week’s pay’ which refers to calculating pay as ‘if the employee works throughout his normal working hours in a week’, to mean they should get the amount they would normally get if they were not on furlough.
In my view, tribunals are likely to use one of these routes to ensure employees receive 100% of pay during notice, notwithstanding the very real problems with each of the first two.
What if employers get it wrong?
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If employers pay 100% when the employee is strictly only entitled to 80% of salary while under notice, the employee is unlikely to complain. In theory, if the employer subsequently ceases to trade, an administrator or liquidator might seek to set those overpayments off against any other liabilities to the employee – but that is unlikely.
If employers pay 80% (or between 80% and 100%), as the orthodox view suggests, and a tribunal or court later rules that full salary ought to have been paid during notice, the employee will have a claim in the tribunal or civil courts for the shortfall. An employer which wants to rely on a post-termination restrictive covenant will find itself unable to do so, if it has dismissed the employee in breach of contract by underpaying notice pay.
77 comments
Does this still apply if the employee had been employed for less than a year?
Was jhst going to ask that
Hi I live with my 87 yr old mother with dementia and currently caring for her full time which is very stressful and usually work 2 days a week. As her day centre closed I was furloughed in March and was shielding because she is extremely vulnerable. I was pressured to start work and explained that I was unable to do so and agreed that they may have to let me go. This was taken as a resignation and I agreed the terms which was a months notice paid at 80%. I worked there for 6 years and realised my contract said 1 month notice plus after 3 years, 1 week per year. I have put this to them to look into beaches believe that not only should I receive what my contract says but the furlough should not be used for the notice period and I should be paid at the full rate. It is either furlough or notice. They cant have both ways.
I would ask same question
Good afternoon
My employer furloughed me mid March and then made me redundant. The boss has stated that I will continue to receive my reduced furlough pay during the notice pay rather than the full pay I would normally have received had I worked out the notice period. Is this correct? Can one be simultaneously furloughed and under notice for redundancy?
I have just received same news. I think companies are using this government scheme to suit themselves. We were all being made redundant before scheme came out. I do think companies like mine have planned this so they don’t pay so much money out on notice pay. In reality this is a job retention scheme, and for them to use government funds to pay us 80% notice pay is disgusting. They won’t even dig into there own pockets to pay staff. This makes me think that these big companies made so much money and are so tight they relying on free grants. This is a strategy for them to say we are keeping you all for now but later as you agreed to being furloughed we will save money at the end.
I totally agree i work for a recycling company i was furloughed on the 23rd march and still furloughed 10 weeks later had the letter to say im currently furloughed until srated otherwise, however on my letter it said that they were going to have no option but to permanently close some sites, im in a meeting and exec centre however i have since found out my director and execs have been in the office working i definitely think they already know ti get rid if some of the office minions to keep there huge salaries and keep there jobs my company are minted . I want to know now so i can start hunting down another job so i dont have to wait for the inevitable to happen in 1/2/3 months down the line i have a morgage bills to get sorted and my firm are only paying me 80%
Agreed. I see a flaw in the Furlough scheme. All ok at 80% assuming the employer is planning on carrying on in business after the Furlough ends, no doubt extremely helpful whilst there are few or no orders. However, the Furlough monies should not be used if redundancy notice is on the cards. It should be the employer who pays wages fully knowing their staff are no longer needed. Using the Tax payers money to ride a storm with Redundancy at the end is completely wrong, and I’d say the Gov have missed a trick in this case.
Having handed in my notice after being put on furlough, my contractual 2 months notice is being paid at 80% of my usual wage. my employer is insisting that this is ‘the rules’ as I chose to hand in my notice. I have been employed for 21/2 years.
hi i recently quit my job as my boss put me on furlong and has not paid me when i ask about this the reply is i dont have to nor im i getting paid any thing eg holiday pay is this right
Purely genuine question. Why would you hand in your notice if you could continue receiving furlough payments? No offence intended.
I think I can answer that. After four months of sitting on my backside unwanted by my employer and legally banned from doing other work by my employment contract an agent for another employer asked if I was interested in another job. I felt it would not hurt to see what was on offer and next month I start a new job. The relief at five months of being in limbo coming to an end is indescribable
Good for you John. I’ve been on furlough since April 1st and I feel worthless now with no confidence. I miss the person I was before lockdown. My employer has displayed poor communication with me and a total lack of duty of care. It’s me having to do the chasing to find out whether I have a job to go back to.
I’m in a similar situation as Deb and recently handed in my notice. Prior to this I was shielding and furloughed. My employer has told me he doesn’t think he can continue to pay me under the furlough scheme as I have handed in my notice. Is this correct? Pre Covid 19 he would have had to pay my full salary during my notice period.
Call ACAS on 0300 123 1150 they may be able to offer some guidance.
Hello, did you find out what this should of been please? I have found myself in the same situation as you.
I have similar situation as John, is that a legal thing to do by employer as we are under garden leave in that case.
Priyanka i’m going to speak with acas tomorrow to clarify this – in my head what you say is correct, if they make us redundant, then they are in territory different from furlough, ie garden leave. I guess if we get made redundant, furlough can’t be a thing as it’s only garden or Pilon that is relevant at the point where we get a finishing/redundancy date.
I’ll post any updates here of course.
I received my furlough pay on 15th May for 40 days of being furloughed. In my calculations my average daily pay after deductions was £104. I got paid £36.99 per day. I have asked how they came to this outcome and they will not tell me. Is there someone I can complain to.
Andrew it sounds like someone is trying to pull a bit of a fast one on you. If they are calculating that 80% of your salary equates to £36.99 per day that would put you on an annual salary of just over £12,000 gross (before deductions). Your calculation of a daily rate of £104 net and assuming this is 80% furlough payment would be roughly £34,500 per annum. Furlough is capped at £2500 per month which is £30,000 per annum and that would break down to around £92 per day after deductions.
Hi Andrew,
You may have been paid a daily rate based on working 365 days per annum. If your normal daily rate is £100 this would be £80 on furlough. If you only work 3 days per week, multiply by 52, then divide by 365, your daily rate becomes just £34.19.
How many days do you normally work?
I have the same question as John S – can my employer make me redundant whilst I am furloughed and use this furlough time as my notice period? Doing so would surely mean the government would be paying my notice and it doesn’t cost my employer a penny to get rid of me?
Correct especially if like me you have been with your enployer under a years service they can just pay furlough then ger rid
Hi there,
I am 59 years old in Scotland & my employer, with whom I have been permanantly employed for over 12 years, requested that I agree to being put on 80% Furlough pay from 1st April 2020, as an alternative to redundancy due to a significant reduction in planned work in 2020 (60-70%), which I accepted, as it was stated that “..if we cannot secure an agreement with you to agree to furlough, we see no alternative but to proceed with substantial redundancies”- the company did not offer to pay the 20% shortfall or offer to give a reason why they wouldn’t, which I understood they were obliged to do ?
Within the same letter/agreement it was also advised that “Unfortunately, we have now been forced to commence a process of consultation on redundancies.”
Anyhow, shortly after I accepted to be put on Furlough Leave, they then applied a “temporary” 3 month variation in salary only for those staff still working (April, May & June), reducing hours from 40 to 35 p/week plus a 10% pay cut, subject to review.
The company subseqently advised all those staff in identified positions at risk, including me that the 1st Collective Consultation on redundancies would commence on 28th April (30 days as redunancies are between 20-99).
My contract states my employer is required to give me 12 weeks notice to terminate my contract & as my post is one of those at risk my concern is as follows:-
I have been advised that any redundancy pay would be caculated on my contractual rate if I were not on Furlough.
If I am subseqently made redundant either during Furlough or after Furlough ends, my current understanding is that my redundancy pay should be calculated on my pre-furlough salary, despite those non-furloughed staff still working, having accepted a “temporary” variation to hours + pay cut, however there is no clear guidance within the Job Retention Scheme guidelines?
Can you please advise me asap ?
Hi I am in a similar position, have you had any clarification yet?
Your length of service means that you are entitled to statutory notice redundancy payments (12 weeks @ 100% salary) not contractural notice. The law gazumps contractural terms (the Employment Rights Act s87). That is your minimum statutory right, regardless of whether you signed a temporary reduction in salary agreement or not. Please take 10 mins to call the ACAS. I’m in exactly the same boat, 16 years service and company refusing to pay me my stat redundancy pay at 100% – do speak to ACAS to put your mind at ease… good luck
Hi, I am in the same situation as John S but my company decided to top up the difference to get the full salary. My question is that, is it right for the company to use the taxpayers money to pay my notice? On the GOV websites states that grants should not be used as substitutes for redundancy. I’m under 2 years so not entitled to redundancy but paying my notice kind of sums up to the same thing.
From the other side, my employee has just given me 1 month’s notice (he has been working 2 years and 51 weeks), and is returning from Paternity Leave on Monday. If I place him on Furlough Leave (I believe we are cntractually entitled to do this) must I pay him full pay or could we reduce his salary to 80% like all of our other furloughed staff.
Hi,
I am not too sure if this is connected but this thread is the only one I can find that is similar in nature to my situation.
I am currently on furlough (1st April), I have been given another job how however due to there being a conflict of interest I do not think I will be able to work for the new company and my current company, simultaneously.
My notice period is 4 weeks. When I hand my notice in, should I expect 100% or 80% pay?
If it is 80%, what about my holiday pay, as I have been made to take 2 weeks off @ 100% so will my remaining holidays be at 100%.
As my company is classed as essential but my position in the company was not, if they ask me to work my notice in the office, can I decline as I was not considered essential before handing in my notice?
I have a 2 month old child and the risk of contamination in my job is high, as it is impossible for us to work more than 2m apart.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Chris.
Could you please let me know when you get information about this, as I’m in the same situation – thanks
I am also in a similar position we were issued a letter asking us to sign on to the job retention scheme leading with “in order to continue to assist the business and retain employment”.
I was then made redundant two weeks after returning this letter, my notice period is three months and my salary was substantially higher then the maximum £2500 and my employer is only going to pay me the furlough amount for my notice period.
This is a very grey area but how can a “job retention scheme” be used to fund a company of significant wealth to terminate employment.
I do not dispute my redundancy I have a problem with the way the furlough system is being abused.
Acas are not sure on any of this as it’s all so new.
Does any one have any information that could help me obtain monies owed from my soon to be previous employment
Andrew G
Hi I was put on furlough leave after signing agreeing I was happy to do this during the COVID-19 duration. My employer has notified me I am now being made redundant 31/5/20 3 days short of my 2 years service, (started 3/6/18), whilst others employed are still continuing on furlough. Also I worked part-time for my employer contract states 16 hours but in light of the minimum wage rising twice she has decreased our hours and only paid us on the decreased hours. Is this fair?
I’m in a similar position, asked to change roles, large salary reduction, otherwise, it sounds like redundancy is on the cards. My 2 years service is 14th August, my notice period is 3 months If I’m made redundant, I assume the 3 months contractual notice that applies to both parties still applies rather than governments week statutory redundancy? I’m not wholly fussed if I only get 80% though my standard monthly salary would be £800 a month more.
Hi Nettie. I am in an almost identical position to you. You may want to check articles regarding Statutory Notice periods. My understanding is that for the purpose of redundancy your statutory notice period (1 week per year worked) should be added to your length of service. Theoretically this would take you past the post to qualify for redundancy. I have my final consultation tomorrow and will be bringing up this point with my employer.
You should have been paid for 16 hours, but at 80% even if this is below minimum wage, as furlough does not class as work so minimum wage does not come into play.
I am afraid your employer is entitled to terminate your employment prior to you reaching 2 years’ service for any reason, and I suspect those that have been retained are either already over two yeRs service, or not yet near it, so that your employer can continue their employment under furlough at no cost or risk to themselves.
these are good questions…..is anyone answering them?
I was furloughed part way through month. I am paid salary per month and only work three days a week. I have been paid the correct furloughed amount. According to HMRC website method used to calculate salaried workers is salary divided by calender days (including non working days) multiply by 0.80 multiply by furloughed days. This gives you a daily rate. Could someone please help me with my question, does employer pay for each day prior to being furloughed? Even if non working days?
I was furloughed part way through month. I am paid salary per month and only work three days a week. I have been paid the correct furloughed amount. According to HMRC website method used to calculate salaried workers is salary divided by calender days (including non working days) multiply by 0.80 multiply by furloughed days. This gives you a daily rate. Could someone please help me with my question, does employer pay for each day prior to being furloughed? Even if non working days?
Hi, I am in similar position as many above. In April agreed to be put on furlough for benefit of firm surviving etc. Called at home to say furlough extended to June and then next day extended to August. Day after received notice of potential redundancy. Issue is no one seems to know that as I have been made redundant during furlough period, whether I receive my 3 months notice at pre-furlough salary or based on furlough pay which is less. Any assistance would be appreciated. I have contacted everyone I can think of but the response is ‘it is all very new and not clear’. HELP!!
Hi Chris, I am in a similar situation to yourself and I’m being made redundant. I have read on HMRC website employers cannot substitute furloughed workers to redundancy.
I have worked for my employer for 28 years. They put me on furlough and now making me redundant . My last working day is the 12th October and have asked me to sign a letter so they can claim furlough payment till this date.
I think it’s disgusting that companies can still claim during your notice period, and think that if this was not the case I would still be employed.
This was set up to save jobs but companies are using this money to let staff go. Thanks a lot Boris.
Hi, Thank you for your response. I actually phoned HMRC and asked the following.
Are redundancy payments based on furlough pay or pre-furlough salary. Answer: There will not be clause in contracts because furlough is new. Therefore, redundancy notice pay will be based on standard contractual pay. There is nothing specific on website to look at.
The reason for furlough was to avoid redundancies so the government are not going to pay to make it cheap for EERs to make staff redundant. I asked HMRC if I could relay this to my employers and they said yes so it must be correct. The third paragraph is my words and not HMRC.
Thanks for sharing this information. I am also in a similar situation. My notice period is 3 months. According to my employer, my notice period will be served out as furloughed, there is no defined clarity on whether this would be paid at 100% or based on furlough, which is significantly lower. Unfortunately, getting through to HMRC is very difficult at the moment.
Would appreciate further clarity on HMRC stance on this.
Hey, I’d like to ask about how should I give my notice to my employer whilst on furlough. I am about the leave the UK for an indefinite period in the next 6 weeks.
I am required to give 1 month’s notice to my employer.
Can they simply say, “alright, you are on furlough anyway, no need a month notice, you can go”, or they will still be required to pay me during my “last” month even now, what I am actually at home on furlough?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
I have similar issues to above comments. My situation:
Currently on furlough
Been in role for less than 2 years
Due pay in lieu of notice of 3 months
and also have 9 month non competition agreement in contract.
I will be made redundant in the next few weeks.
I am expecting my 3 months to be paid at pre furlough salary which is much more than furlough rate. I agreed to go on furlough but not to be short changed and paid a fraction of what I am entitled to.
Any advice??
I receive furlough but I have never had anything in writing or signed anything,No pay slips off company since febuary,and now been asked to return to work even though my family is high risk,is this illegally wrong
Hi all, I’ve just been advised today that my position in under consultation for redundancy (which essentially means i am to be made redundant). I have been on furlough since the end of March. I have been with my employer 2 weeks shy of 9 years.
I am currently on an 8 week notice period but that would be due to extend to 9 weeks on 13th June. With that in mind, and as i will still technically be under their employ at the 9 year mark, can I expect a redundancy package to reflect 9 years service or 8 years?
Also, although I am currently on furlough, could they in theory insist I work my notice period should i request a 100% salary for the notice period.
Thanks in advance
Hi I am no expert but your employment ends on the date given as the end of your notice period so if that take you into a new full year then I would assume everything should be calculated at 9 years and not 8. I would chase them under that basis Also notice payment should be 100 percent of normal pay
Your years service is calculated on the termination date! That would be the end of the notice period not the start. If PILON is paid it does not change the effective end of employment date; meaning you should also receive a full 9 yrs of redundancy payment, this varies with age >age 41 is 1.5 weeks per year of service.. it is however capped at a low rate unless your contract states otherwise. These are minimums; many contracts will have separate terms regarding this. As long as the minimum legal terms are followed. Then your contract terms will stand and HR should be able to provide answers in this regard.
9 years
anyone here with info on this situation?
I work for a London based start-up, and I’ve been employed <2yrs.
I was first informed about being put on furlough for at least the month of May. 26 days after, Rcvd a phone call informing me I was being let go due to funding troubles and that I will be on 'furlough' for all of my notice period.
I'm on garden leave till the end of my notice period. This has made me realise that my employers had made up their mind about cutting me off last month, but used the 'furlough' route to reduce their cost. Because, if they had made me redundant on 30th April they would have to pay me my actual salary instead of the reduced amount.
My immediate action after that call was to look for answers online.
Are employers allowed to have employees furloughed while in their notice period?
Shouldn't furlough end when notice period starts?
Does the CJRS not mention anything about companies claiming benefits while NOT retaining jobs.
Shouldn't I be getting 100% of my pay during my notice pay, instead of the reduced furlough pay?
Isn't 'garden leave' same as 'furlough'? on both occasions I'm on the payroll but not allowed to work.
I am still looking for legally correct answers… maybe the details were missed in the hurry to roll out CJRS.
I do acknowledge that the scheme was introduced with good intention by the government, but I'm saddened at the realisation that businesses have jumped at it for the wrong reasons. And the objective of job retention is lost.
We need an answer to this now!!!
If staff have been given notice whilst being furloughed and are then paid 100% pay during the notice period (per contract etc), is that employer then still allowed to claim 80% from HMRC CJRS or once given notice they can’t claim anymore ??????
Advice to HR from legals is to pay all notice whether worked on furlough or in lieu at 100% salary to avoid risks of claims
Hi I have just been told that my job is likely to be made redundant and a final decision wiil be made next week following a meeting today. I currently am furloughed receiving 80% of my wages. I am salaried and work regular hours. I have been at the company for Just over 7 years and my Contract states a weeks notice for each year. I am 57 years old. I am therefore assuming I will be entitled to the equivalent of 1.5 x 7 weeks pay as redundancy plus notice pay for 7 weeks. My question is should I be paid in full for this? In addition I have 28 days holiday per year and during the period 6 April to the end of July (the likely redundancy date) I have taken none and so should I also receive holiday pay for approx 9 days too? Many thanks in advance for your help.
100% notice has been paid to staff given notice whilst they are on furlough but can the CJRS furlough claim be made to HMRC for 80% of this or should it not? Thanks
Hi I have been in my job for 8 months was put on furlough 31st March , I recieved a phone call about 2.30 this afternoon to say my contract is terminated as from 5pm ( the same day) no warning or anything , my contract states I should have 2 weeks notice , what can I do is it right what they have done ?
Thanks
There is now guidance on Gov.UK (from 3 June). The Furlough & Redundancy notes state “provide your pre-furlough salary, rather than the reduced salary you may have earned while you were furloughed.
We will calculate most of your payments based on your full salary rather than your earnings during furlough.”
There is (and always has been) provision for an employer to calculate redundancy pay on statutory weekly pay rather than full pay though – unless the employee’s contract or company redundancy policy expressly states full pay.
Holiday pay must always be paid at 100%.
Hi,
please could you provide link where we can find the update on the notice to be calculated at Pre-Furlough salary?
Also, where do I find and info regarding paying 100% holiday?
Thanks very much
M
What if the employee wants to hand in their notice whilst furloughed?
I also need help on handing notice when furloughed. I have obtained a job as a teaching assigned for children with special needs – to start beginning of the school year. Due to the COVID-19 my family members who normally assist with childcare (I’m a single parent) are currently working a lot more as they work in the health sector. I can not afford the childcare to return to work in July and my child returning to school isn’t an option. I will not be able to pay throughout the summer holidays either. I have worked at the company for less than a year and my notice period is 1 Month. What happens here?
So if a company was to make you redundant, they have to give you your contractual notice period paid, they can’t just tell you tomorrow there is no job and off you go?
My husband is possibly handing his notice in and we were wondering if he would have to serve his 3 mth notice period, as he could start the new jobs with this time frame?
My situation is that I started a new role in Feb 2020 and then was furloughed from 1st April, with the decrease in the government percentage to 60% (employers pay additional 20%) my employers have now stated I should hand my notice in (period to end at the end of July) as they do not want to pay this 20%. There other option was to let me go, they have stated they do not want to make me redundant and it’s better for me to hand my notice in. So will my notice period be paid at 100% and I will also be entitled to 2 weeks of holiday pay at 100%
As I feel they may try the 80% pay for my notice period and also the holiday.
Hi all, if this helps I was on furlough from April, made redundant June and was given 3 months notice ends September. I have found a job to start mid July. I checked out with HMRC who said that you can take on another job when furloughed but had to get permission from current employer. Wrote to current employer who gave permission for me to start new job during my notice. That way everything is legal and I don’t lose my termination notice pay from my current employer. HMRC are very good at helping when you can get through. Hope this helps some of you.
Is it legal to furlough someone and then get someone else to do that job for a much lesser salary (temporarily and under no contract), this saving the company plenty of money even though a job still exists?
My employer has guaranteed my employment until 31st July under CJRS at which point my employment will crease. The business has backdated a second termination date following a 15 day consultancy period claiming they did not need to do this despite 50+ stage being displaced because it was an individual office decision how they removed 40% cost and only 3 of us were shed locally – legal? during which time I was informed within 1 working day that I would not be considered for continued employment & the COO has confirmed that I personally was displaced and not my job function – what can I do as I’m under 2 years tenure so unfair dismissal isn’t an option? HR have also advised me I am not entitled to accruing holiday from the termination date they chose and I should be grateful for what they’ve called an “extended notice” which eradicates all holiday and notice period for all staff displaced – misuse of the furlough scheme? My hope is they won’t reclaim that money but have stated I will be employed using CJRS so should I report this to HMRC for using state money to fulfil their obligations & who can I speak to about consultation irregularities when I have no union and they refused to elect employee representatives?
You don’t have any rights as you have not been employed for 2 years, so you will be wasting your time.
You cannot be unfairly dismissed if under 2 years service, but you can be discriminated against. Any discrimination?
Don’t understand your holiday query, but you’re entitled to holiday accrual until your last day of employment, not when they advise you of your termination.
Your company are entitled to claim your notice pay under the furlough scheme, whether this seems moral or not.
Wow so many of us in same situation and companies using taxpayers money to pay our notice period . I was furloughed in April then made redundant 3 weeks later my boss refuses to pay me 100% pay whilst on 10 weeks notice I have spoken to ACAS and if by the end of notice period still no joy then put a claim in through ACAS for your 20% for unpaid wages. I’ve been told it will take a tribunal to clear this ridiculous unfair situation up. Also redundancy pay and holiday pay is calculated at your normal pay rate ie 100% don’t forget if you were on furlough over the bank holidays and these are normally taken as part of your annual leave then these days should have been paid to you in full – not at 80%. I hope the above helps I have had to do a lot if research to get what I’m entitled to right. I will be claiming for my 20% unpaid pay whilst on notice through ACAS and the more people that do this should clear this grey area up and we get what we are entitled to.
hi just a question I was told to do my 2 weeks notice from home while on furlough asked them if they could extend until the end of July they refused and said its costing them too much money n.i and pension but the government said no one is paying that at the moment so that means they lied .. plus if you do your 2 weeks notice while on furlough ain’t you suppose to get paid 100 percent instead of 80?
Hi I’ve been given my notice after 12 years of services .my employer as stated that I’ll be furloughed While on notice , But any other staff who haven’t been furloughed , who get made redundant will get there notice paid in lieu , which I think is unfair as therefore I can’t take other offers of work and if needed claim for job seekers allowance I wouldn’t be entitled , but the employees who get paid in lieu will be able to take on work straight away , i feel I’m being discriminated against because I’ve been furloughed , I feel if one gets paid in lieu , all should . Anyone any advice?
I am in the exact same position
I’ve email my boss asking him to explain why
Awaiting answer
I have been put on furlough from 21st March, my furlough ended yesterday due I have to return to work. During the period whilst I was furloughed I had another job which was part time but they offered me full time position now, this 2nd job would suit for me more but I am not sure if I can resign from the 1st job where I was furloughed for 12 weeks…
If I’ve worked for a company for 9 years and am on £60k p.a with a 9 week notice period, if they made me redundant now, do they have to pay me 9 weeks full pay or 9 weeks furlough money? (i.e. 80% salary up to £30k p.a.)
What if someone has taken a voluntary temporary pay cut (but not furloughed) and is laid off during that period? Should the PILON be against full pay? Ditto for holidays accrued…..
https://www.stevens-bolton.com/site/insights/articles/furlough-and-notice-pay-another-cjrs-dogs-dinner
Think this provides most of the answers.
I was facing redundancy whilst on furlough, but agreed to try out a lesser paid role for up to four weeks. This role started at start of August until 21st aug.
I stated I wished to not continue in this role after three weeks. So my employer has said I will receive three weeks pay for my hours done in trial role. And receive my redundancy package in the September pay as I am being paid notice for a month. And still effectively employed until 17th sep but they are re furloughing me until then on 100% pay. Can I not ask for the redundancy payment to be included in the August wage?
Thanks for the link Dawn 🙂
Hope its ok to copy paste as a lot of people seem to be in the same situation and i hope this will clarify the payment you should receive while serving your notice :
What should the correct pay be whilst an employee serves out their notice on furlough leave?
There is another complication in relation to furlough and notice pay. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, notice pay entitlement varies according to the length of the employee’s notice period and the type of working hours. Some employees may, therefore, be entitled to furlough pay during their notice period and some may be entitled to full pay.
HMRC has informally confirmed that although employers can claim 80% of wage costs up to the last day of employment (subject to the monthly cap), employers must top up the remaining wage costs and pay employees 100% of their salary during their notice period. This suggests that HMRC’s view is that all employees are entitled to 100% of normal pay during their notice period. Therefore, failing to pay an employee 100% of their normal pay during their notice period potentially risks claims of unlawful deduction of wages and breach of contract and, in a worst-case scenario, also risks a fine from HMRC for inappropriate use of the CJRS fund.
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