Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

HMRC will set up a new online portal so that ALL UK employers, regardless of size, will be eligible for assistance where an employee has been designated as a ‘furloughed worker.’ HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.  The current plan is that this will be in place for 3 months, at which point it will be reviewed.  This will be backdated to 1 March 2020.

Employers must set out which of their employees are ‘furloughed workers’ and inform particular employees.  Furloughed workers should not undertake any work for the company including answering calls or emails.

Furlough is the equivalent of lay off. So you can lay off staff, continue to pay them and recover 80% of that cost up to £30k per annum.

The current guidance states ‘You will remain employed while furloughed. Your employer could choose to fund the differences between this payment and your salary, but does not have to’

Changing the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law and, depending on the employment contract, may be subject to negotiation.

If your contract allows, you may undertake other employment while your current employer has placed you on furlough, and this will not affect the grant that they can claim under the scheme. You will need to be able to return to work for the employer that has placed you on furlough if they decide to stop furloughing you, and you must be able to undertake any training they require while on furlough. If you take on new employment, you should ensure you complete the starter checklist (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/paye-starter-checklist) form with your new employer correctly. If you are furloughed from another employment, you should complete Statement C. Any activities undertaken while on furlough must be in line with the latest Public Health guidance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

It’s normal practice in countries such as the US, that already have the status of furloughed worker, for benefits like health and life cover to continue while an employee is furloughed. However, in our view the Job Retention Scheme should be implemented in such a way that these do not impact on the flow of the 80% from the government via the employer to the employees.