Unless there is a dramatic change in Government policy, 30 September will be a major milestone in the UK’s post-pandemic economic journey, as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) finally comes to an end. David Sheppard, an employment lawyer at Capital Law, considers what this means for employers currently using the scheme… Universally referred to as […]

The number of employees on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) fell rapidly during May as the economy reopened, but far more people remain furloughed than previous official data has suggested, while older workers are disproportionately likely to remain ‘parked’ on furlough for long periods, the Resolution Foundation said today. The HMRC data shows that […]

Experts have warned of an increased risk of litigation, as the number of redundancies are expected to rise when the furlough scheme ends in September. Outplacement specialist Renovo has called on businesses to be mindful of how they conduct the redundancy process and to provide support for those made redundant quickly, in order to decrease […]

Research by business psychology firm Pearn Kandola has revealed the severe impact the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has had on the workforce, which it says raises concerns about a hidden workplace divide as furloughed employees return to work. The study, which surveyed over 500 employees across the UK, 253 of whom had been […]

After a turbulent 2020, many professionals had to call upon new skills and completely transform their processes. The team behind disruptive HR tech platform caseflowhr has pulled together five changes to watch out for to support planning in 2021. With so many changes on the horizon, it is no wonder that many teams are looking […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact upon organisations in the UK, with many making redundancies and placing employees on furlough. That’s according to a study from ManpowerGroup, which encompasses talent management experts Right Management, which found that the pandemic has also led to many employees rethinking the relationship with their employer and reprioritising […]

Furloughed employees who are then made redundant will receive redundancy pay based on their normal wage, under new laws being brought in by the government. Throughout the pandemic, the government has urged businesses to do right by their employees and pay those being made redundant based on their normal wage, rather than their furlough pay, […]

Changes introduced by the Government to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from July 1st will allow employers to bring furloughed staff back into the workplace for part of the week.  It is, says employment lawyer Royds Withy King, an important step towards reintroducing staff back into the workplace before the furlough scheme closes entirely at […]

Advice by Kate Palmer, Associate Director of Advisory at Peninsula With many children set to remain out of school for some time, employers who are trying to return to normal may see an increase in parents struggling with childcare. To this end, they must be familiar with the rights that working parents have. Denying employees […]

Ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week (June 15th-19th), Naomi Thompson, Head of Organisational Development at Benenden Health, provides insight into how employers can help keep feelings of loneliness at bay for their remote and furloughed employees. As the Government has recently announced its furlough scheme will be extended to October 2020 and some businesses are still operating […]

Over a third (36%) of UK businesses believe that implementing new health and safety measures in accordance with the Government’s recently published guidelines are the biggest challenge they face as lockdown eases and they attempt to return to the workplace, according to new research conducted by law firm Winckworth Sherwood. This was closely mirrored (29%) […]

The Meetings Industry Association has responded to the Government’s recent statement regarding the extension of the furlough scheme. Chief executive Jane Longhurst offered: “The mia welcomes today’s announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Government’s furlough scheme will be extended until the end of October.  “Having highlighted the particular plight of our sector, we […]

by Alan Price HR expert and CEO at BrightHR With Friday being a bank holiday, and staff across the UK being furloughed, employers may be wondering how furlough interacts with annual leave such as public holidays. The first thing they should remember is that furloughed employees can take annual leave. However, they need to be […]

by Kate Palmer, Associate Director of Advisory at Peninsula In response to the challenges faced by thousands of employers because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government set up the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The Scheme is aimed at helping employers retain staff during this period where some business may have had to close entirely […]