Businesses will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work part time from 1st July as part of the government’s plan to re-open the UK and kick-start our economy.
From yesterday, a month earlier than previously announced, employers have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part time basis.
Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return, so that they can decide on the best approach for them – and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has so far helped protect more than 9.3 million jobs through the pandemic, with employers claiming more than £25.5 billion to support wages.
The scheme will remain open until the end of October and will continue to support jobs and business in a measured way as people return to work, our economy reopens and the country moves to the next stage of its recovery.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said “Our number one priority has always been to protect jobs and businesses through this outbreak. Giving firms the flexibility to bring back furloughed workers on a part-time basis will help them work gradually and help them plan for the months ahead.”
From August, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered to reflect that people will be returning to work. Businesses will be asked to contribute a modest share, but crucially individuals will continue to receive that 80% of salary covering the time they are unable to work.
Companies across the UK who are bringing back furloughed staff include The Drury Tea and Coffee Company, and Yes Energy Solutions. Marco Olmi, Managing Director of London-based international coffee wholesaler The Drury Tea and Coffee Company, commented “The ability to bring our staff out of furlough in a flexible manner will be enormously beneficial as the industry eases out of lockdown. Without this flexibility we would really struggle to cope as we endeavour to grow turnover back to something approaching normal levels whilst trying to keep a lid on short-term costs.”