As the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) closes on 30th September, many businesses will be thinking about next steps for their employees and businesses. many businesses are now fully back up and running and have brought their employees back from furlough. However, there are still some who are unfortunately not yet in that position. You can find everything you need to know about the CJRS on WWW.GOV.UK, and here are some frequently asked questions currently from employers:
What should I do when the scheme closes?
You’ll need to:
- bring your employees back to work on their agreed terms and conditions
- agree any changes to their terms and conditions with them, or
- consider ending their employment.
When making decisions about how and when to end furlough arrangements, equality and discrimination laws will apply in the usual way. For more information search ‘Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV.UK.
When is my last claim for the CJRS?
The last day that you will be able to claim for is 30th September. Final claims for September must be submitted by Thursday 14th October.
Can I claim CJRS for employees on notice periods?
You cannot claim CJRS grants for any days your employee is serving a contractual or statutory notice period, including notice of retirement, resignation or redundancy.
What support is available for my employees if I’m unable to bring them back to work?
There’s UK Government support available for your employees through the JobHelp website, offering a range of support, training and advice, to help people find their next opportunity. This includes the Kickstart scheme and other Plan for Jobs support measures, along with advice on learning new skills and sectors which are recruiting. Search ‘Plan for Jobs programmes’ on GOV.UK for more information.
Normal redundancy rules and protections apply to furloughed employees – search ‘redundancy rules’ on GOV.UK for more information.
What support is available to help my business grow after the CJRS has closed?
If you’re looking to grow your business, the UK Government Help to Grow scheme offers management and digital programmes to help you learn new skills and reach more customers. To register your interest, search ‘Help to Grow’ on GOV.UK. If you’re considering taking on new employees, there’s a range of UK Government support available to help your business, including placements, apprenticeships and training opportunities. Search ‘Plan for Jobs programmes for employers’ on GOV.UK to find out how your business could benefit.