Furlough

[Guest]

Like the person this morning, I also work in construction but in Scotland where things may be different, we’ve got a lot of work on at the moment in the agricultural sector with a reasonably big producer, and we’ve been told that we have no choice but to work or we won’t get paid as our employer will not furlough us on his accountants advice as we have got the offer of work and if we choose not to do so he does not have to pay us or put us on furlough, it all feels like we are being blackmailed into working during this pandemic. Is this correct or are we being wronged as the Scottish government has told all construction sites to close unless they are working on building hospitals or the like. Thanks, onfused.

[ULA]

As you would have seen from my response, 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 they are saying there is work available and so there is need to put you on furlough.

However I know there is much confusion in regard to the construction sector both here in England and I presume in Scotland as well. I have managed to find this guidance which is specific to Scotland.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/co...ctor-guidance/

I note part way down it does say that "The construction sector and its supply chain is considered a non-essential business sector, except where supporting an essential sector as listed about." In that list above is food and I guess that may be what your employer is relying on since your construction is for a big food producer.

Not sure if this has been of any help but may explain the reasoning behind your employer's view on the situation.