49 - Furlough facts: The rights and responsibilities of employers and employees

In For A Penny

Marc and Josh spoke with Rebecca Fox, an employment lawyer at VWV in Watford about how to furlough fairly.

The word furlough is also becoming more common after the government set up a coronavirus job retention scheme to help businesses retain staff during the uncertainty of the pandemic even if they have to temporarily close.

Under the scheme, the government will pay a firm’s employees 80% of their current salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500.

It will run up to the end of March 2021.

Of course there are lots of questions, what can and can’t you do on furlough and what are your employment rights during the pandemic and beyond.

• Can you still earn annual leave?
• Are you allowed to apply for a new job?
• What happens if you feel you have been dismissed unfairly?

There have been lots of changes to government support and this interview was conducted in late October so things could be different by the time you listen but it should give you a general idea of what it supposed to happen on furlough and if you ever feel you have been unfairly dismissed.

About us

The In For A Penny podcast is produced and presented by freelance personal finance journalist Marc Shoffman and The Orchard Practice financial planner Joshua Gerstler.

Each episode aims to address the confusing concepts and challenges from the world of business, finance and wider society.

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