Furlough vs Retained Staff

[SusanApples]

Hello,

A big proportion of the employees of our company have been furloughed through the government scheme and will be paid 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 per month - the company is not topping this up.*

The remaining employees will work full time and we have been told that we will be paid 60% of our salaries. Although I have been told that this will be changing to be at least 80% / £2,500 per month in line with the furloughed staff.

Is this in line with what other people are seeing, I feel like it's not unreasonable to expect to be paid more than those who have been furloughed? There doesn't seem to be any allowance for different roles above £30k salary, as we'd all be paid the same capped at £2,500 per month - and my salary is much more than this.


I am a bit surprised that this is "allowed", shouldn't my notice period count for anything? Afterall if I want to leave I have to provide my employer with notice.


I know this is unchartered territory and I do want the company to still exist when we get through this, but I also can't afford to take this kind of cut to my income.

Any advice greatly received.

Thank you

*

[ULA]

Hi, this is indeed very unchartered territory and I must admit this is the first case I am seeing where an employer is furloughing and asking those staff remaining to take a pay cut, although It does not mean that it is not happening elsewhere.

There are companies splitting their staff to maintain the business on a skeleton workforce but where the staff remaining are still getting their normal salary. I do not know what industry you are in but logically the furloughed staff will have their 80% covered by the job retention scheme and I presume the work that you and your colleagues who are still working will be doing will bring continued revenue into the business to cover the ongoing running costs and salaries of those remaining - maybe????

H

owever one thing that has not changed in employment law is the fact that an employer, if they want to change the terms and conditions of employment, which whether you are being furloughed or asked to reduce your salary and continue working is a change, then they need to get your agreement and consider the issues that an employee may have with the change. As a solution would you be able to cope financially with 80% of your salary and be furloughed, if so you could ask for your employer to consider that option for you?*

Ideally there should be a period of consultation to change someone's terms and conditions, however given the pressure of the current situation, this may be an issue. In a normal situation if an employer has listened to objections and considered alternatives if they deem them to be unworkable they can dismiss an employee and then rehire on the revised set of terms and conditions. However, we are not in normal times but just wanted you to know all the options here.

Hope that helps but come back to this thread if you have any other questions.*

[RedJohn2020]

I’m in a similar situation here, if I am furloughed, I will still get £2500pcm (before tax) as my company will top up....however my total earnings (75% commission) are far higher. My bills are far higher than the govt offer. So I guess I am just going to have to dig into the savings whilst this is ongoing.