It’s a difficult time for all of us and making sure that your people are being looked after will be a high priority, as it is ours too.  We are pleased to confirm that our different teams have been collaborating to support employers with important guidance.

Here are a few helpful links whilst we continue to add content to this page:

Useful Links

  • Pension Contributions During Coronavirus – The Pensions Regulator has issued guidance around usual Auto Enrolment schemes and Salary Sacrifice to ensure that you are compliant.
  • Reclaiming Sick Pay – The government has now issued guidance on using the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to reclaim employee’s coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
  • Job Retention Scheme – Guidance has been published on the government’s Business Support Website.
  • Isolation Notes – These are now available the NHS 111 Website and (where applicable) must also be completed to reclaim SSP (we believe this will be done via the new government portal at a later date).
  • PAYE Payments to HMRC – We understand that these payments could be deferred by 3 months, following an explicit agreement with HMRC via the Coronvirus Helpline.  You will need to call 0800 024 1222 to request this as it will not be automatically given.

Dedicated Support

If you need help with anything related to your employees and the Coronavirus Pandemic, please get in touch on 01773 828 326.

Let's talk!

FAQ's

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers who would otherwise have dismissed employees during this crisis can access payments for part of the employees’ salary. This is a grant which employers do not have to pay back. The scheme will run for three months (but may be extended as necessary).

HMRC will pay 80% of furloughed workers wages, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

The word furlough generally means temporary leave of absence from work. This can be due to economic conditions affecting one particular company or matters affecting the country as a whole. Until now the expression has not carried any meaning in UK employment law.

Furlough leave has been temporarily introduced by the government during the coronavirus pandemic to mean leave offered which keeps employees on the payroll without them working. As the furloughed staff are kept on the payroll, this is different to being laid off without pay or being made redundant. The ability to furlough employees is designed to support employers who are severely affected by coronavirus.

People who get furloughed must not work for the employer during the period of furlough but usually return to their job afterwards unless redundancies follow.

More information is available on the government website.