Update on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - support for furloughed colleagues

29 Apr 2020

A message from Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources, with details of our new website to inform and support affected staff

Dear colleagues

I wrote to you on 15 April to let you know that our University would be using the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (CJRS), to recover significant staff costs.

I can now confirm that 1,373 colleagues have been placed on furlough leave, with another 220 roles put forward for consideration, however more work is currently being done to determine whether these are eligible for the CJRS under the HMRC criteria. HR colleagues are working with line managers to come to a decision on these roles as soon as possible to reduce any uncertainty for those colleagues involved.

Our University has taken the decision to use the CJRS as a temporary cost saving measure and in no way reflects on those colleagues on furlough leave and the value of what they are able to contribute in their roles in more normal times.

Whilst the Scheme covers 80% of salary up to £2,500 per month, the University has agreed to pay colleagues on furlough leave the remaining balance of their salary so there will be no financial detriment to them and no change in their terms and conditions of employment.  The Government has extended the Scheme until 30 June 2020, however is keeping that end date under review.

Guidance for those colleagues on furlough leave and their line managers is available on StaffNet and there is a set of furlough leave frequently asked questions.  If you have any further questions please contact your HR Partner in the first instance.

Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment during this period.

Karen Heaton