Let’s face it, the wedding industry hasn’t been getting much help from the Chancellor, so when there is a scheme that might be helpful, it is worth making the most of it. The furlough scheme is a great opportunity to ensure your team returns to work stronger than ever.
Who can be furloughed?
Employers can use the scheme for employees for any amount of time or shift pattern, furloughing on either a full-time or part-time basis, and will be able to vary the hours worked in agreement with the employee.
Employees can be on any type of employment contract and don’t need to have previously been furloughed.
This time there is no requirement to furlough for a minimum of 3 weeks, so many business owners and key members of staff are able to access the scheme just on the days that there is not sufficient work as a result of the lockdown.
What can employees do while furloughed
Employees who are fully furloughed but who stay in a work routine, by getting dressed and being productive with their time during their normal working hours, can cope better mentally and physically. They’ll feel more confident and motivated when they return to work if they have had a sense of purpose and direction while they are furloughed.
For business owners, it could be seen as an opportunity for training.
The rules state that:
During hours which employees are recorded as being on furlough, they cannot do any work for their employer that makes money or provides services for their employer or any organisation linked or associated with their employer.
Employees can:
- take part in training
- volunteer for another employer or organisation
- work for another employer
It is obvious what would be classed as “making money” - anything that leads to a sale or a booking, including appointments, consultations, virtual venue tours, and marketing activities.
To decide what constitutes “providing a service” our rule of thumb is that you should not be doing anything that you’d usually be paid to do in the course of your work, or that will directly benefit the business.
While some employers are arranging employee swaps and skill exchanges, the most obvious activity is training. Choose relevant training that employees and business managers can learn about on the days they are furloughed and implement on the days they are working.