Returning from Furlough

Bringing your employees back from furlough is not a straightforward process. All you should know about notice, pay cuts and safety – and whether you can refuse to go back to work has been outlined below.
As furloughed employees begin to return employers need to consider both the practical and emotional aspects of returning to the new normal. The impact of the Corona virus pandemic has been appalling. After several weeks of lockdown and social distancing measures, employees might have grown fearful of working in an environment in which people are coming from different parts on London. It could be that may be living with a vulnerable or high-risk individual.
Managers need to address their team members before they return to work. This will help understand their personal situation and to communicate any possible concerns that team members might have.
Action plans should be put in place before furloughed employees are made to return to their place of work. Employees should be engaged and should be involved in devising strategies to run business as usual in the new normal. Return to work plans should include practical aspects such as how social distancing can continue to be observed both at home and at work.
Taking time to listen to the concerns of individual employee(s) and take reasonable steps such as flexible working arrangements or temporary unpaid leave if the individual(s) are unable to work for long period of time.
If the employee(s) still do not want to go back to work, they may be able to take some time off as holiday or unpaid leave, although the employer doesn’t have to agree to this. Guidance on how to manage this type of situation is freely available online.
Returning to work after furlough is surely going to be a challenging time for employers and employees alike. However, if the right steps are taken, along with effective communication things should go smoothly.