Furlough scheme call for shielding workers

Shielding employees who cannot return to work should continue to be furloughed at 80% of their wages, a charity says.

Age UK is calling for greater protection for staff who are unable to return to work for health reasons and whose job cannot be done from home.

Earlier this month, Blood Cancer UK launched a similar campaign, saying some jobs are difficult or impossible to do while continually social distancing.

Shielding is due to end in England on July 31, and the Government say employers have been told to make sure the shielded can work from home wherever possible.

If employers cannot provide a COVID-safe working environment, those who are clinically vulnerable will be able to access financial support including statutory sick pay and welfare payments.

The charity said its own analysis shows that around 319,000 workers over the age of 50 were advised to shield in March for health reasons, while others have health conditions that make working close to other people risky.

Age UK's charity director, Caroline Abrahams, said: "For the sake of employers as well as their staff, we call on the Government to implement a new furloughstyle support scheme at the current 80% level for workers who are shielding or who are exceptional risk from the virus, if August 1 is too early for them to return safely to work. These people shouldn't have to choose between keeping their jobs or compromising their health, and their employers shouldn't have to choose between letting valued staff go or funding them to stay away, not working.”