Furloughing, sickness and shielding

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is not intended for short-term absences from work due to sickness, and until the end of June there is a three-week minimum furlough period (see below). However, employers are also entitled to furlough employees who are being shielded (see page 17) or off on long-term sick leave. If an employee becomes ill while on furlough, the employer can end the furlough and move the individual onto Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (see page 15) but they are not required to do so.