Figures from its first full day in operation reveal:

• 85,000 firms submitted claims
• 1,300,000 employees reported as furloughed so far
• Total value of £1.5bn

CJRS and annual leave update.

Last Friday (17/4) it was confirmed that employees can take their entitlement to annual leave whilst furloughed. The Working Time Regulations (WTR) require holiday pay to be paid at an employee’s normal rate of pay or averaged over the previous 52 weeks if working variable hours. The Employer’s Guidance has therefore confirmed that employers need to top up holiday pay to 100% of a workers’ pay rather than the 80%.

Change to SSP

Additionally, the Government has also updated their advice in respect of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Employees will not qualify for SSP if:

• They have been placed on furlough leave; or
• They receive Employment Support Allowance within 12 weeks of starting or returning to work.
• The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 provide that a person is deemed to be incapable of work if they are unable to work because they fall within the extremely vulnerable category and have been advised to shield.

The Regulations came into force on 16 April and do not appear to have retrospective effect.

KBL’s guide to the CJRS portal

If you need any employment advice related to COVID-19 or otherwise, then please contact Sarah Collier on scollier@kbl.co.uk

Correct as at 22nd April 2020