Partner and Head of Employment, Paul Clark has set out some tips on managing the Coronavirus in the workplace.
If you need advice on how to manage your workforce during this unprecedented time, please contact either Paul Clark or Matthew Rowlinson from our Employment team. Both Paul and Matthew work between Jacksons’ Teesside and Newcastle offices.
There are now guidelines on the Job Retention Scheme for you to read here – (https://lnkd.in/geGsk7i). Listed below are some of the key points to pick out:
- All employees, including employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts, on payroll since 28 Feb are eligible. This includes those made redundant if re-hired.
- All workers who have been furloughed must not work – employees on reduced hours are not included
- Employers must obtain employees’ agreement to being furloughed and confirm this in writing
- Actual salary, before tax, as at 28 Feb should be used to calculate the 80%. Fees, commission and bonuses should not be included
- Employers will be able to reclaim wage costs plus their NI contributions and the minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions on the furloughed worker’s wage
- For employees with variable pay, employers can use their earnings in the same month last year or average monthly earnings over the last 12 months (or shorter for service under a year)
- Furlough can take an employee below the applicable NMW rate because NMW only applies when employees are workingFurlough will last a minimum of 3 weeks, which mitigates against rotating furlough but does not prevent it
- Employees ‘shielding’ can be furloughed but employees on sick pay or self-isolating cannot (whilst this applies)
For more information click here
Paul Clark, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Jacksons Law Firm
Please share the article
