January 20, 2023

Flexible Furlough Agreement in Writing

During the pandemic, the UK government introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which enabled employers to furlough their staff. This allowed businesses to keep their employees on the payroll while the business was closed or had less work. Recently, the government has introduced the flexible furlough scheme that allows employers to bring staff back to work part-time while still receiving a partial furlough payment.

Under the flexible furlough scheme, employers are required to implement a written agreement with their employees. This agreement must outline the hours and days the employee is expected to work and the hours they will be furloughed. The agreement must also be agreed upon by both parties and signed. This is essential to protect both the employer and employee and to ensure that the agreement is legally binding.

When drafting a flexible furlough agreement, it`s important to ensure that all aspects of the agreement are clear and concise. The agreement should include the following:

1. Names: The names of both the employer and the employee should be included in the agreement.

2. Dates: The dates that the flexible furlough period will cover should be clearly stated.

3. Hours/days of work: The hours and days the employee is expected to work during the flexible furlough period should be specified.

4. Furloughed hours: The number of hours that the employee will be furloughed should also be included. This is the number of hours the employee will not be expected to work and for which they will receive a furlough payment.

5. Pay: The pay that the employee will receive for the hours worked and the furlough payment should be clearly stated.

6. Termination: The agreement should specify what will happen if the flexible furlough agreement is terminated early.

7. Signatures: The agreement should include space for both the employer and employee to sign and date the document.

Once the agreement has been signed, it`s important for both parties to keep a copy of the agreement for future reference. This agreement will also be required if there are any disputes regarding the flexible furlough period.

In conclusion, a flexible furlough agreement is essential for employers and employees to ensure that both parties understand the terms of the agreement and are protected. The agreement should be clear and concise and include all the necessary details. Employers should ensure that they comply with all the regulations regarding flexible furlough to avoid any potential legal issues.