Advice on Part time furlough

I am currently furloughed from my full-time job, but my employer has asked me to return to work on part-time hours rather than full time. Can they do this?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the Job Retention Scheme will allow furloughed workers to return part time from August. Further details about how this will work are expected within the coming weeks. It is worth keeping an eye on GOV.UK for further announcements.

Until then it’s not clear what the rules are if you are asked to go back to work on reduced hours.

You could try to negotiate a satisfactory solution with your employer, such as fewer employees returning to ensure they can have full-time hours, or you could ask to remain on furlough until the details are clearer. If you are a member of a trade union they will be able to help you to raise this with your employer.

You may also need to ask to remain on furlough in order to follow public health advice, for example if you’re shielding, or if you need to stay at home to look after children.

For further help and support visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Look out for our next column when we focus on shielding and returning to work.

The information contained in these articles does not constitute advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk