Subterms
Ongoing support for sectors affected by restrictions would minimise the impact of job losses, the think tank saidShutterstock Workers who have been on furlough or unemployed for long periods due to the pandemic need greater financial and job-seeking support from the government, according to a report from the Resolution Foundation. Almost two million workers have […] More
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/PA Images Around 13% of UK workers were furloughed, whether fully or partly, at the end of December according to figures released by HM Revenue and Customs. Throughout the last month of 2020, as the four governments of the UK increased restrictions before entering the current lockdown, an average of 3.85 million employments […] More
Michaelpuche / Shutterstock.com ‘Flexible furlough’ should be extended through to autumn to provide income support for those whose work continues to be disrupted while restrictions remain in place, a think-tank has urged. Low-paid employees were twice as likely to either be furloughed or have their hours reduced during the first lockdown last year, the Institute […] More
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/PA Images Working parents with caring responsibilities should have a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme, the TUC has stated, in the wake of a major study that gauged the impact of Covid restrictions. The study found that the Covid-19 pandemic had hit working-class women the […] More
Shutterstock There were fewer planned redundancies in November in the UK than at any time since Covid lockdowns began, according to Insolvency Service data. A total of 36,686 redundancies were proposed last month, down from a peak of 156,000 in June. However, in the same month last year there were 9,034 fewer planned redundancies, making […] More
Shutterstock The Covid-19 crisis will inflict ‘massive downward pressure’ on wage levels globally, according to research from the International Labour Organisation. The ILO found that in countries where strong measures were taken to preserve employment, the impact tended to be a drop in wages rather than large numbers of job losses. In a third of […] More
Furlough was extended until March 2021 at the start of NovemberShutterstock The extended furlough scheme has already been the subject of revised government guidance and a subsequent Treasury Direction. XpertHR consultant editor Darren Newman examines the extended scheme and the issues that it presents for HR and employers. The extended furlough scheme introduced on 1 […] More
Pic: Shutterstock One in five disabled employees has had their request to work from home, be furloughed or redeployed during the pandemic turned down. Research by disability charity Scope found that 22% of disabled workers faced having to choose between going to their place of work and quitting their job, and the charity is now […] More
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is seeking clarification on the support availableAndy Buchanan/PA Wire/PA Images The chancellor Rishi Sunak has failed to confirm whether furlough support will be available to Scottish employers after England’s lockdown lifts on 2 December. It is also unclear whether Westminster will offer support to the other devolved nations, Wales and […] More
Shutterstock Almost than one in 12 workers at firms that have not stopped trading remained on full or partial furlough just days before the scheme comes to an end, official figures have revealed. The Office for National Statistics’ latest data release on the impact coronavirus has had on the economy and society shows that 8% […] More
Shutterstock The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic’s second wave is forcing many employers to urgently review their business models and look at what steps they can take to protect their workforce. Understanding and implementing the Government’s measures and other available options remains a key priority for many in HR. In XpertHR’s 60-minute webinar at 2:00pm GMT on […] More
Pic: Shutterstock Young people and ethnic minorities were most likely to be made unemployed after coming off furlough, according to a report by the Resolution Foundation. The think tank’s survey of around 6,000 workers found that 19% of 18- to 24-year-olds who were furloughed during lockdown were unemployed in September. Twenty-two percent of black, Asian […] More
