Furlough questions

[Baz1994]

Hi,

 

I am a delivery driver and was furloughed on the 20th March due to lockdown.

 

I returned to work on the 3rd July.

 

When furloughed should I have signed something from my company? Or notification by text suffice?

 

Also should I have received  a payslip for months that I was furloughed?

 

Thanks for looking.

[Ethel Street]

As it's a change to your contract the company needs to notify you in writing but you don't need to sign anything. It's good practice to ask employees to sign to acknowledge the change but it isn't strictly a legal requirement. Notifying by text may be OK as long as it gives all the required details. 

 

During furlough the company is still employing you and paying you, not the government. (The government furlough scheme repays the employer only after the employer has paid you). So I'd say yes you should still be getting pay slips.

 

Is there a reason why you are asking?

[Baz1994]

A belated thank-you Ethel Street.

 

I finally received relevant pay-slips.

 

Just a recap our company has 3 delivery drivers.

 

2 returned to work on 3rd July (including me) the other is still furloughed.

 

We have all today received another text regarding using our holiday entitlement before 1st November, 2020 (New holiday entitlement starts).

 

Furloughed driver can obviously takes his during furlough.

 

The problem being is that it will not be practical for myself and the other driver in taking ours before then as we have 3 weeks (21 days x 2) each to use.

 

My company has stated that they will not be rolling over any holidays as it would not benefit them  or offering payment in lieu.

 

Is this correct or are we entitled to carry holiday over to next year?

 

Thanks for looking. 

[Ethel Street]

There's government guidance on this here

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/holiday-entitlement-and-pay-during-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Scroll down to the "Carrying annual leave into future leave years" part. My reading of it is that employers are allowed and encouraged to let you roll over holiday until next year but it appears they aren't legally required to.

 

But I'm not an HR specialist, hopefully someone who knows more about this will come along and comment.

[Baz1994]

OK many thanks again and hope somebody will.

 

I did look at website but wasn't clear to me what can or cannot be done.

 

My concern is it will leave only one driver to do all deliveries in which is impossible and there will not be time for all of us to take our holidays before 1st November.

[Emmzzi]

In writing, ask when you can take your holiday, asking them to confirm, in writing, if that will not be possible.

[Baz1994]

OK thanks again.

 

I will await their further response as I have already replied to that effect by text.

 

My concern again is that they will force us to use holiday or lose them.

[Emmzzi]

they can certainly force you to have time off, yes.

[Baz1994]

but within reason?

 

If not practical do I still have any rites to refuse considering my annual entitlement starts again on 1st November?

[Emmzzi]

I’m confused about what you’re trying to achieve. You want your holidays, but you also don’t  want them if the dates don’t suit? There only a few weeks to go so I wouldn’t be too picky!

 

Or are you at “money or nothing”? 
 

what is your aim?

[Baz1994]

Sorry for confusion and I am merely asking for constructive comments as gov website is unclear and I am not trying to achieve anything untoward.

 

I wanted to work but had no choice being furloughed as no restaurants etc open so no deliveries.

 

I was expecting to be laid off until furlough introduced.

 

All I am asking is can I be forced into taking them before the 31st October. I would rather carry them over until next year as it would be more practical and not wanting payment.

 

Thank-you

Edited September 16, 2020 by Baz1994

[Emmzzi]

yes.

[Baz1994]

Thank-you