The government rules for staff whilst on furlough have been strict, and incorporate the following:
- You cannot ask staff to do any work that makes money for your business or any business linked to yours, or
- provide any service for your business or linked to your business
However, your staff can:
- Take part in training
- volunteer for another employer or organisation
- work for another employer (if contractually allowed)
Rules for training whilst on furlough
Your furloughed staff may undertake training in the hours you claim they are furloughed as long as this training does not incorporate providing services for or generating money for your business.
“Furloughed employees should be encouraged to undertake training.”
HMRC – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#who-can-claim
HMRC recognises the benefits training can give to employees, especially during furlough. When employees return to work and the country starts to work on recovery from this pandemic, there may not be time available for training courses, everyone will be catching up, and yet there have been many changes from those in legislation to technological changes in how tasks are completed.
Furlough can be hard on employees, used to a structured, busy day, suddenly left drifting with too much time to fill. It may be nice for a few days but inactivity can lead to depression and loss of confidence. HMRC encourage furloughed workers to fill their time with productive training and be ready for when they can return, better skilled and confident in their newly acquired knowledge.
Don’t be a drifter, sign up to a Cambridge Finance Course and develop your financial modelling skills ready for the future.
Make a positive step today.