Furlough

[chickx]

I received a phone call yesterday afternoon telling me that i was to be put on furlough from 5pm that night.

I was told that i would be paid the 80% of my salary and i would need to take at least 3 days of my annual leave during the initial 3 week furlough period.

Couple of questions;

1 - Do i have to accept the 20% pay cut?

2 - Can i be made to use annual leave while I'm already not working?

[mushroom25]

some useful info here
https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/using-holiday

[chelle7272]

Firstly always check your employment contract dor more info.
1. Yes as 80% is all your employer can claim back. Their other options will be to lay you off entirely or reduce your hours.
2. A lot of employers have asked for annual leave to be taken and employers have the right to tell you whe to take leave. £ dasy for weeks seems a lot though, I would ask for it to be 3 weeks pro rated leave, i.e. what leave you earn in the 3 weeks.

[bednobs]

1) no but the alternative is to resign with a 100% pay cut I suppose
2) yes. Your employer can specify the exact days you take off if she wants, although you must be paid 100% for those days, not 80%

[Maydup]

1. You dont have to accept the pay cut but the alternative is redundancy.

2. You can be made to use annual leave, and doing so could be a good solution financially if its paid at full pay rather than the reduced furlough rate. Check that with them.

I have been furloughed now for four weeks and find I'm spending less. No socialising, no eating out, no petrol or travel expenses. I hope you find the same and that the reduced salary is enough to cover your basic needs and protects your job.

[chickx]

Is there any legislation that says annual leave has to be paid at 100% & does that go for the upcoming bank holiday too?