We are aware several employees have contacted us regarding our position on furlough. The Government has recently launched the Job Retention Scheme. This scheme allows employers to apply for 80% of an employee’s salary (up to £2,500 per month). To qualify for the scheme employees require to be furloughed. Furloughing is where an employee is kept on the payroll however the employee does not have any work to fulfil for the employer.
As you are all aware we have closed all our facilities and sites to the general public. Many of our employees are ensuring our facilities and sites are safeguarded and others are performing remotely corporate service functions. However we do have employees who are unable to fulfil their normal duties due to the closure of the service, it is this category of employee who may be considered for the furlough process. To date the option is being explored and we have communicated with trade unions on this matter. It is a complex task and we are currently working with North Ayrshire Council, who provide the payroll service, and other advisers.
We do hope to have further clarity for employees in the near future however at this time we must stress that if furloughing of employees is to be actioned no employee would be financially detrimented i.e. employees would receive 100% of pay as opposed to the 80% provided by the scheme. If you require further information please contact your line manager in the first instance.
