Furlough

[Guest]

Hi, working in construction as an electrician we aren’t classed as jet workers, yet my boss is refusing to furlyus as we have plenty if work on the books, some of which is in the agricultural sector. He told us that his accountant says we are not entitled to join the furlough scheme as he has work to offer us, so basically we were told either we work and get paid or we stay at home and get nothing, as in his words we aren’t entitled to it. Is there any truth in this?

[ULA]

The government job retention scheme which provides for furloughing staff was put in place for businesses that cannot maintain their current workforce because operations have been severely affected by COVID-19. In the case of your employer is seems like there is work available and no need to make them redundant or “lay them off”.

I think the issue is that although construction workers have not been given key worker status there has been no specific guidance about the shutting down of construction sites/work. What I have seen of guidance is that construction sites remain operational wherever it is practical and safe to do so. Whilst the guidance from Public Health England may change in future, for the time being construction sites of any size that are operating during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic need to ensure they are protecting their workforce and minimising the risk of spread of infection.