LRD guides and handbook June 2020

State support and coronavirus - a trade union guide

Chapter 1

Which employers are entitled to receive support under the CVJRS?

[ch 1: pages 8-9]

The scheme is designed to help employers whose operations have been severely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. However, all employers are eligible to claim under the scheme. Employers are under no obligation to provide any reason why employees have been furloughed. Any entity with a UK payroll can apply, including businesses, charities, recruitment agencies and public authorities.

Where a company is being taken under the management of an administrator, the administrator will be able to access the CVJRS. A new employer is eligible to claim under the CJRS in respect of the employees of a previous business transferred after 28 February 2020 if either the TUPE or PAYE business succession rules apply to the change in ownership.

Employers should discuss with their staff and make any changes to the employment contract by agreement. There must be a written record of this, which must be kept for five years.

At Corserv Group (Cornwall County Council), the general and public service unions GMB, UNISON and Unite insisted the company prioritise staff with vulnerable conditions, or those who live with people with such conditions, for furloughing.