Furlough for high risk employees

sindba · Post by **sindba** » 28 Apr 2020, 11:31

Reports are circulating on social nedia that Royal Mail has agreed to furlough employees who fall into vulnerable or high risk groups.

If true this is great news, and a big victory for the CWU. Highly sensible move.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

Post by **POSTMAN** » 28 Apr 2020, 11:45

Post

sindba · Post by **sindba** » 28 Apr 2020, 11:55

Thanks postman.

So it's pretty restrictive, only applying to the extremely vulnerable who already have the NHS letters. The high risk group, asthma, diabetes, etc are still left high and dry.

Still, better than nothing.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 28 Apr 2020, 12:02

From what I can take from it staff will

a) Be expected to take at least two weeks annual leave.

b) They will only be furloughed once they have used up 6 months full sick pay.

and you can’t socially distance from them at home in line with the public health guidance on shielding

That wording seems unnecessary, unworkable and pointless.

nuns · Post by **nuns** » 28 Apr 2020, 13:55

so people can just start doing this now.
if you live with someone on the high risk list

FacesOfStone · Post by **FacesOfStone** » 28 Apr 2020, 14:30

Sunak was talking about scaling back the furlough scheme the other day, wasn’t he? If we presume that most eligible employees will have had most of their six months’ paid leave intact at the time they started to shield, what are the chances that more than a vanishingly small number of employees will end up qualifying for furlough under RM’s ts&cs?

They will, however, be in a vulnerable position is they need to go sick for reasons unrelated to COVID and will, in many cases, end up dragging their addled selves back to work in no fit state, in order to avoid facing the stress and ignominy of a period without sufficient income.

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 28 Apr 2020, 14:59

To be fair I think the furlough scheme will be withdrawn gradually and the extremely vulnerable group will be last because

A) It's a relatively small number in the grand scheme of things because the majority of those extremely vulnerable people are not working for obvious reasons.

B) This group will probably need to be shielded for a long time perhaps as long as 18 months.

Although it will be a great relief to those involved it is a very small number overall and does nothing for those members that don't qualify for the highest risk group either for themselves or a family member.

Also am I missing something or is their no mention of Royal Mail making up the missing 20% of wages?

whatshappening1 · Post by **whatshappening1** » 28 Apr 2020, 17:38

just read a article on the sun website saying that "Royal Mail says it's chosen not to furlough any staff" looks like its only from a few hours ago

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 28 Apr 2020, 19:28

nuns wrote:so people can just start doing this now.
if you live with someone on the high risk list

My wife has got a letter, but i had too go back to work because my pay is due too drop too half. I am worried I could bring something home, but can't afford too lose half my wages.

scarface · Post by **scarface** » 29 Apr 2020, 10:23

So how do we apply for furlough? It says it can be done via email and some application form. Anyone knows more details?

roo · Post by **roo** » 29 Apr 2020, 10:33

scarface wrote:So how do we apply for furlough? It says it can be done via email and some application form. Anyone knows more details?

scarface · Post by **scarface** » 29 Apr 2020, 10:51

roo wrote:
scarface wrote:So how do we apply for furlough? It says it can be done via email and some application form. Anyone knows more details?

Seems still like it's a draft. Is there an actual link to the website where this can be obtained from/filled in?

whatshappening1 · Post by **whatshappening1** » 29 Apr 2020, 11:15

email coronavirus.advice@royalmail.com They send you it you fill it in and email them it back

ethanb11 · Post by **ethanb11** » 29 Apr 2020, 12:29

I fall into this cat as my wife has a letter to shield. I am on my 4th week of holiday so can I still apply now for furlough and will I get 2 weeks hols back I asked my line manager to put me down as unpaid leave for this week he said he cant because it had already gone through.
do you have to have taken 2 weeks hols from the 20th of april 1st or does it count before that date its a bit grey area I think.

scarface · Post by **scarface** » 29 Apr 2020, 16:37

whatshappening1 wrote:email coronavirus.advice@royalmail.com They send you it you fill it in and email them it back

Done this now before noon and waiting. Anyone got reply from them?