The Government have substantially updated their guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) originally published on 26 March 2020. The SM&B Employment & Business Immigration Team have published an article on the Firm’s website setting out the provisions of CJRS as they stand at 4 April 2020, with additions and changes highlighted, by italicized text or indicating new sections or provisions, e.g. employees who are carers or who on fixed-term contracts can now be furloughed, and regular fees which were previously excluded from the definition of wages are now included. Employers should read the guidance document in full to understand all the elements of the scheme to date, appreciate the employee relations implications and identify those parts where legal advice is needed.
The Department of Health have also published guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance providers, setting out advice and some temporary flexibilities being introduced to the training programmes during the coronavirus pandemic, and which provides answers to questions related to these changes and other common questions.
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
