Many voluntary organisations have needed to furlough employees and use the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Employers need to be aware that the scheme is now changing.
From 1 July 2020, employers will be able to bring back to work employees who have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week.
The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full three week period prior to 30 June.
This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June, in order for the current three week furlough period to be completed by 30 June. Employers will have until 31 July to make any claims in respect of the period to 30 June. Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims will be published on 12 June.
Please see the UK Government guidance for more details.
The following resources may also be helpful:
- Geldards – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Update
- ACAS – Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for employers and employees
- CIPD – Coronavirus FAQs
- Burness Paul – Coronavirus job retention scheme (guidance note)
- SCVO – Your employees FAQ
Please be aware that under the current guidance furloughed employees can volunteer, but not for the organisation they normally work for.
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