Workers slip through the Sunak net
BY ANDY PHILIP EMPLOYEES who fell victim to a loophole in the emergency jobs retention scheme are demanding help from the Government.
Thousands are believed to have left a job before the cut-off date last month but were not on their new payroll in time to qualify for 80 per cent “furlough” pay from new employers.
Many workers are also unable to claim benefit as they technically have a job to go to.
Jaimelee Rattray, from Glasgow, switched jobs just before the cut-off point. The legal PA said her new employer has deferred her start date by three months and can’t guarantee she will have a job after the crisis.
Jaimelee, 35, said: “They can’t pay me and they can’t place me into furlough as I wasn’t on their payroll on February 28. And my previous employers are refusing to re-employ me and furlough me under the provisions.”
Through a support group on Facebook, New Starter Furlough, Jaimelee has found “hundreds if not thousands” of others in the same position. A petition drawing attention to their plight has about 40,000 signatures.
MPs are now raising concerns with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who set up the furlough scheme to help businesses shut down during the coronavirus crisis.
MP Tommy Sheppard said: “It is clear there are gaps that need to be filled. The Chancellor must change the guidance to ensure nobody falls through these gaps.
“It is unfair to punish workers who chose to change job or move forward in their careers before the consequences of the pandemic were known.”
Yesterday, Sunak reminded businesses they can rehire staff to allow them to take advantage of the pay scheme.