COVID-19 update – 7 January – Caring responsibilities and furlough

Following the announcement of the third lockdown, the government have updated guidance on the CJRS to highlight that people with caring responsibilities are eligible for furlough.

There has been no change to the overall policy in light of the lockdown, but the updated guidance on eligibility for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) now explains this existing possibility more clearly.

The guidance now explicitly states those “caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing” are eligible for furlough. However, employees do not have the right to insist on being furloughed because they have childcare issues.

Employers still have the right to choose which staff to furlough and the employee must agree to the variation in their employment contract. As before, when a member of staff is furloughed they are not allowed to engage in any business or income generating activity for the employer.