MAKE YOUR FREE Furlough leave confirmation letter

Update: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme came to an end on 30 September 2021. Staff can no longer be placed on furlough. The deadline for claims under the scheme was 14 October 2021, or 28 October 2021 for amendments. 

The information below should, therefore, be regarded as outlining the situation before 30 September 2021. This furlough leave confirmation letter template should be regarded as appropriate for use before 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.