Firms need to support employees returning from furlough - HR expert

A Sutton Coldfield firm of HR experts is issuing advice to businesses as they prepare to welcome an increasing number of employees back from furlough.

From the start of the month, employers retaining employees via furlough face additional costs as the scheme is slowly drawn down.

With many employers wanting to avoid these costs and with a greater number of sectors reopening, the return of most furloughed staff back to the workplace is imminent, according to HR Caddy.

The HR specialists say that the withdrawal of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), as it is officially known, will require employers to support staff back into the world of work - some of whom may have been furloughed for up 20 months.

Nicola Callaghan (pictured), managing director of HR Caddy, said: “From the start of July, employers are having to contribute 10 per cent of an employee 's regular salary to the CJRS grant for the hours not worked, while the Government will cover the remaining 70 per cent so that workers still enjoy 80 per cent of their regular wages.

“This cost jumps up to 20 per cent in August and September for employers, before the scheme is withdrawn altogether in October.

“Given the fact that many sectors are now in recovery, we are likely to see the majority of furloughed staff returning to work in the next few weeks and businesses must support these workers. ”

HR Caddy suggests that businesses hold a back-to-work meeting where they can discuss changes to an employee 's role or employment expectations.

In some cases, employers may need to reduce a person 's working hours, which HR Caddy says must be done through negotiation so that an agreement can be reached.

Any changes in working hours, salary or responsibilities should be either included in a person 's contract of employment or be confirmed in writing.

“Employers may also need to provide additional training to returning workers so that they are up to speed on new processes, equipment or technology that is essential to their position, ” added Nicola.

“It also wouldn 't hurt to have regular catch-ups in the initial weeks and for those really struggling, providing a mentor may be helpful. With such an active job market, employers need to do their utmost to retain the best talent as they rebuild and recover. ”

However, Nicola said that in some cases, where the cost of bringing all employees back to the workplace was too great, employers need to carefully consider and plan for potential redundancies.

Although unemployment rates have been falling, Nicola explained that the furlough scheme had kept many employees in jobs on paper, but warned that some businesses may not be able to support every position once the CJRS ends.

For more information and advice contact HR Caddy by calling 0121 378 3998 or emailing [email protected].