A 2019 Government consultation said that up to two million workers did not meet this earnings threshold. Copyright © 2020 House of Commons Library. deemed to be employees. In the Chamber on 9 March, Work and Pensions Secretary Dr Thérèse Coffey said Workers who do not wish to come into work may be able to Workers with caring responsibilities, or those who are "If your pay varies and you’ve been employed (or engaged by an employment business in the case of agency workers) for a full year, employers will claim for the higher of either: "If your pay varies and you’ve been employed for less than a year, employers will claim for an average of your regular monthly wages since you started work. The Regulations now make clear that qualifying employees who isolate themselves on the basis of advice published by Public Health England … In addition, finding work again may be harder once economies start to recover. Ultimately, this would favour a faster and more sustainable recovery for everyone once the pandemic is under control. In extreme cases employers may decide to close the A number of writers have expressed concern that workers could be incentivised to continue working despite feeling ill. unwilling to go to work. The regulations only apply if a person is unable to work because of self-isolation. To qualify, employee’s average weekly earnings must be at least £118. "As with employees, agency workers should perform no work for, through, or on behalf of the agency that has furloughed them while they are furloughed, including for the agency’s clients. Universal Credit and furlough rules: What benefit are you entitled to, Agency workers: The Government has introduced a number of financial relief measures, Oasis and Warehouse go into administration - 2,300 jobs at risk, Millions face losing jobs in deepest recession for '300 years', Martin Lewis provides important furlough payment update, Furlough extended: Treasury postpone end to worker compensation scheme. What does furlough mean? Only employees are eligible and the time off does not have to be paid. In a worst-case scenario, an estimated one-fifth of the workforce could be absent from work. The rise in the number of cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in the UK has led to concerns about the effect on the workforce. An earlier version highlighted that it was unclear whether those who self-isolated were legally entitled to SSP. However, Acas also notes that workers who refuse to follow instructions could still face disciplinary action. Ahead of International Workers’ Day, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) underlines the need for governments, workers and employers to continue their concerted efforts to combat the outbreak, ensure public health, and safeguard workers’ fundamental rights now and in the future. contracts that workers must obey reasonable instructions from their employer. The next FRA COVID-19 bulletin is due out end May. obey reasonable instructions from their employer. Main navigation Advice. Workers with informal employment agreements, and limited access to healthcare and social protection before the pandemic, are particularly at risk now. On 16 March, the Prime Minister also announced that those with serious health conditions will soon be advised to “largely shield [themselves] from social contact for around 12 weeks.”. The Government will then reimburse 80 percent of the employee’s wages, up to £2,500 per month. We help promote and protect these rights. When asked about the £118 earnings threshold, she said the Government would: “bring forward the necessary legislation or other changes.” Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government would “bring forward a solution,” to address the fact that self-employed people are not eligible for SSP. In addition, governments have put in place a range of different measures to support at risks groups and self-employed workers. Many will have a right to enhanced sick pay under their employment contract. Originally an employee needed to have been employed by the company on February 28 to be eligible for furlough, but this cut-off date has now been extended to March 19. action plan: a guide to what you can expect in the UK, GOV.UK, Coronavirus: Employees who have been asked to stop working, but are being kept on their company’s payroll, will be considered ‘furloughed workers’.