As you will be aware, the Government has launched a number of support packages in recent weeks to support organisations during the current coronavirus crisis including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. This Scheme allows employers to receive grants to cover the wages of their workforce who will remain on payroll but who are not temporarily able to work during the coronavirus outbreak, which is referred to as ‘furloughing’.

The University is not immune from the significant pressures resulting from this unprecedented situation and we are responding quickly to the changes in line with Government guidance.

As a University and your employer we are intent on protecting employment for all our staff during what we acknowledge is a very unsettling time for everyone. As such we are proposing to make use of the Government Scheme and to furlough those staff for whom there is no continuing work during this period.

We would like to reassure all staff that those invited to be furloughed will continue to receive 100% of their current pay. The Government have agreed to fund 80% of pay and the University is committed to topping up so that furloughed staff receive their normal expected pay and both the staff and the University will continue to pay normal pension contributions. Other terms and conditions of employment and continuity of service will not be affected during this period.

This means that some staff will be designated (with their agreement) as a “furloughed worker” in the coming weeks, which means they will not be provided with work. There are strict criteria for the furloughing of staff and directors will be working with HR over the next few days to consider those categories of staff where furloughing for a period may be appropriate. It is expected that those individuals identified for furloughing will contacted in week commencing 20 April.

We will continue to update you on the situation and more detailed information can be found in the FAQs. In addition you may wish to refer to the Government guidance for more details of the Scheme:

The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is initially set to run until the end of May 2020, but the Government has said that the Scheme will be extended if necessary. We are keeping the situation under review and will keep you updated as the coronavirus crisis unfolds in the coming weeks.

We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone as we continue to work together in very difficult circumstances. We are grateful for your continued commitment to the University and support for each other and wish you and your families well during this time.