In the course of the pandemic, businesses everywhere have been forced to make difficult decisions to ensure their future. While we’ve seen many close their doors either permanently or temporarily, others have used the support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (aka the Furlough Scheme) to preserve jobs and cash flow.
According to a business survey by the ONS conducted between 6 April and 19 April, 28% of the UK workforce has been furloughed by their employers, of which the accommodation and food services and entertainment industries saw the highest proportion, with 73% and 70% of its workforce respectively being furloughed.
While the Furlough scheme is running until the end of October (though we know it will be adjusted from August onwards) and is helping 7.5m UK employees be retained by their employers, it comes with its own set of challenges.
We’ve seen many of our clients seeking out information and guidance when it comes to balancing how to communicate and engage furloughed vs. non-furloughed employees, so here are some tips to get you started.