Call centre worker who was denied furlough claims ‘financial ruin’
A DERBY man claims he faces financial ruin and poverty after his employer refused to put him on furlough.
The individual, who has asked to remain anonymous, has been shielding at home since the beginning of the second lockdown due to having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
He claims he has been left in the lurch by his employer, call centre Firstsource Solutions, in Pride Park, after it put him on statutory sick pay (SSP) rather than on the Government’s more generous furlough scheme.
The disgruntled employee claims that when he asked the company to put him on furlough, he was told they were not able to do so as it was recruiting at the time.
Firstsource Solutions in Derby said that the company sought clarification from the Government on eligibility for furlough payments and are following the guidance in order to be fair to all its workers.
The company’s Derby base operates a call centre for Sky TV.
The worker says he is quickly falling behind on his rent and bills due to the shortfall in income and could end up with high amounts of debt.
He said: “I live with my brother, who works a minimum mum wage job. He’s been having ing to take up extra hours s at work to try make up p for the loss of wages. Sick pay is about £95 a week. I was earning about £350 a week before.”
The employee claims he would still l be at work except that at he had been told to shield by the Government nment until lockdown finished. hd
He said: “I’ve got a lung condition which means my left lung doesn’t inflate or deflate properly. It falls under having COPD and I’ve had it for pretty much as long as I can remember.”
He claims that when he told his employer he would have to shield, arrangements could not be made for him to work at home as there was no space and he was told he was being put on statutory sick pay.
He said: “They put me on furlough from March to August when we were in lockdown before. This time they said they couldn’t use furlough as they’re recruiting.
“I spoke to a Government helpline and they said I was allowed to go on furlough as long as the company agrees.”
He claims when he raised this with Firstsource, he was told again that it would not be putting him on furlough.
He said: “It’s not even very difficult for the company to put me on furlough. I don’t know why they consider it acceptable to do this when the situation is out of my control.
“I’m going to have to pay the arrears as my brother can’t afford to pay the bills and rent on his own.
“We got this place because it was cheaper for us to live together, but we can’t afford it if I’m not getting my proper wages.”
Mark Stelmach, general manager for Firstsource Solutions in Derby, said: “Our bu business is committed to the sa safety and wellbeing of all our ou employees. During the pandemic, our HR te team carefully re reviewed how we c could support anyo one impacted by this d difficult and evolving s situation.
“As soon as the Go Government furlough sche scheme was announced, we sought s Government advice on o eligibility for the payments t and d we followed that guidance.
“It’s also important that our team is treated in a fair and consistent way, so we have policies in place to ensure everyone has equal access to support, whether for an issue related to the pandemic, or for any other health concern.
“Throughout these difficult months, our HR team has been proactive in communicating with employees, and have made themselves available to anyone affected by health concerns.
“They are continuing to review the available support systems, including the government furlough scheme and statutory sick pay. Our goal is always to look after the wellbeing of our people.”
I’ve got a lung condition which means my left lung doesn’t inflate or deflate properly. Worker