Ask a lawyer for: advice if you're unsure of the process advice if the document doesn't meet your needs or cover what you want This furlough leave confirmation letter is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Furlough Leave Confirmation Letter UK

Overview of the Furlough leave confirmation letter

Update: Wednesday 10th June is the last date that employers can place employees on furlough for the first time and still access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The Scheme will close to new entrants on 30th June. Employees are only eligible for furlough pay if they have been placed on furlough for 3 consecutive weeks before the date of closure.

Any parents returning to work following paternity or maternity leave are exempted from the 10 June cut-off date and can be furloughed for the first time after this date.

Confirm to your employees in writing that they have been furloughed. This Furlough leave confirmation letter is to be sent after your employee has agreed to being furloughed. In order to access the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers will need to designate affected employees as ‘furloughed workers’, notify them of this change, and provide written confirmation. Changing the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law.

When should I use a furlough leave confirmation letter?

Use this furlough leave confirmation letter:

when you have a downturn in business or a closure of business and can't afford to keep paying your staff
when you want access the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
when you need to confirm to staff that they have been designated as a 'furloughed worker'
after you have received the counter-signed Furlough agreement letter to employees from your employee

What’s included in a furlough leave confirmation letter?

This furlough leave confirmation letter covers:

the date of the initial Furlough agreement letter to employees
the date on which the staff member is furloughed from
methods for communication

What’s a furlough leave confirmation letter?

A furlough letter to employees is a letter confirming to employees that their employment status has been changed to a 'furloughed worker' in order to access the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

This letter is stage 2 in the furlough process. Ensure you have completed the Furlough agreement letter to employees before sending this confirmation letter.

For further information read Furlough, workforce reduction and managing employees.

Do I need to keep a copy of the furlough leave confirmation letter?

Yes. Employers need to keep a copy of this written communication for five years.

Do I need a furlough leave confirmation letter?

If your business has been affected by Covid-19 (Coronavirus), then you may want to furlough your staff instead of making them redundant. The Government intends to cover up to 80% of the employee's salary to help businesses. In order to access the scheme, the employer will need to notify the employee and get their permission to become furloughed. Employers will also need to confirm to employees in writing the date on which they are furloughed from, and send the proof to HMRC that the employee has been furloughed.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme?

All UK businesses are eligible with employees on a PAYE system.

How do I access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme?

You will need to:

designate affected employees as ‘furloughed workers’ and notify your employees of this change
confirm to the designated employee the date on which they are furloughed from, which you can use this letter for

submit information to HMRC about the employees that have been furloughed and their earnings through a new online portal. The portal can be accessed here from the 20 April 2020.

Are furloughed workers still employed?

Yes, employees who have been furloughed are still considered to be employed by their employer and the employee's continuity of employment will still run.

Can employees continue to work once they have been furloughed?

No, the Government has instructed workers who are furloughed not to work.

Further advice

Ask a lawyer for:

advice if you're unsure of the process
advice if the document doesn't meet your needs or cover what you want

This furlough leave confirmation letter is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

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