Not quite a H&S queiry but then 1 of my clients has me this today.

Background

They have a fllet of 12 HGV's collecting goods across the country. There isn't enough work to keep the 12 employed, but he wants to do right by them.

He's working on 12 weeks minimum of disruption in his head. He can keep 4 employed. So his idea was to employ 4 and rotate on a monthly basis.

I've read up and can see no evidence that you can do this? I read it as once you're on furlough thats you til the end.

Has anyone else had this question posed or have any insight?

Sorry not buying there is not enough work for HGV drivers there is plenty out there just likely not in your clients normal sphere of operations.

By example I have heard that a building component manufacturer has suspended deliveries because its own fleet of directly employed drivers has been decimated by Covid.

It is likely a similar story across all fleet operators.

Someone needs to spend some time on the phone.

Not sure they would get the 12 week Gov support if they are rotating staff it seems to be laid of until...

Given the furlough thing is more a loan to the business personally I would work on finding alternative short term work for all and hope they come back afterwards by example your client could offer driver plus cab service to others - just needs to calculate what the price point will be (wages + fuel + depreciation etc.).

That was my thought, once you are furloughed that was it. You couldn't opt in and out. The first group of 4 would be good, they carry on as normal for the first 4 weeks and then get furloughed. Second lot would be the hardest to justify, furlough, off furlough and then back on it. Last 4 would be easy as well. 8 weeks of furlough and then back to work, only issue here is if it goes on longer than the 12 weeks.

No - you can't dip in and out of furlough.

You need to select your continuing staff carefully - are they susceptible? Do they have families they will put at risk?

And what will you do if one of your remaining 4 become ill? You may need to bring someone out of furlough to replace them, but once they're out, they're out.

Hope this helps - good luck.

Edited by user 27 March 2020 09:10:06(UTC)  | Reason: spolinng

Just to update this, the diping in and out of furlough is acceptable. Had both my accountant and the companys accountant say exactly the same thing.

Furlough periods must be longer than 3 weeks but it's been interpreted that you can bring people into and out of the system with no issues.

So my client was ahead of the curve with his forward thinking. So at least his drivers will now have 1 month in 3 on full pay with little or no work to do. Client is happy for them to be on standby for the month and if tyres need collecting/delivering then they'll come into work.

They have a mixture of rigids and artics but they only transport used/scrap tyres. So not set up clean enough to be transporting any goods that require a clean vehicle