Starting this week, Umbrella Company UK will start processing furlough pay for our eligible clients on 80% of total earnings (up to £2,500.00 per month) – with first payments due to begin this week. We will be backdating payments from March – for those who are eligible.
Since the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Umbrella Company UK have been working tirelessly to be in a position where we could enrol our workers onto this scheme. This includes working alongside leading industry bodies, having many discussions with employment law specialist and lobbying the government for change with numerous emails and letters.
Despite the government failing to clarify a number of points that have been brought to their attention, we appreciate that a number of our clients have been waiting over 8 weeks for news. Therefore, even without the full clarification we have been seeking, we are starting to process furloughed leave for clients who qualify.
Tom Edwards, Operations Director at Umbrella Company UK, has said:
“There is no doubt the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was created to support honest and hard-working professionals. However, the government has failed to address many issues for the hundreds of thousands of temporary workers who rely on umbrella companies for their payroll.
Currently, we still have unanswered questions that we hope the government address in the near future. However, having done what we can to get clarification to no avail, we couldn’t keep waiting while knowing some of our clients need our help more than ever before.”
Ciaran Woodcock, Head of Field Sales and Marketing, added:
“I would like to personally thank each and every one of our clients who have been in contact with us over the last couple of months regarding furloughed leave. The patience and understanding they have shown has been admiral. Umbrella Company UK has always looked to do what is best for our clients, and I am delighted we are now in a position to move forward with the furloughing of those who are eligible.”
What should clients do now?
Providing you have completed our Furlough Declaration Form (if you believe you are eligible for furloughed leave as part of the CJRS); Umbrella Company UK will shortly send you a furlough agreement which you will need to sign and return. Then, we will do the rest.
We will be looking to start processing furlough payments from Friday 22nd May, but please understand that these may well continue into next week. If you have any questions, please contact us. We are doing everything we can to make the process as efficient as possible and we would like to thank you for your cooperation.
Based on the information you provide via our Furlough Declaration Form; Umbrella Company UK will be contacting your end client (or recruitment agency) with information about your assignment and the reason for it ending. Umbrella Company UK will be making assessments in accordance to the CJRS and our decision as to whether or not you are entitled to furloughed leave is final, and there are no assurances.
