To: HMRC
SIGN! Reverse the decision: HMRC must include new starters under JRS
HMRC must reverse their decision and include employees who started a new job after 28 February 2020 to be eligible under the Job Retention Scheme (JRS).
It is not fair for those who started a new job or moved locations to start a new job and not be included in the JRS! Employees should not suffer the consequences of unforeseeable circumstances such as Covid-19 and the government must help.
Why is this important?
The rules of the JRS state that to qualify for the furlough grant, new employees must have been recorded with HMRC by 19 March 2020 and, therefore, an employee must have been paid on the 6 March 2020 pay day.
Many employers believed that this deadline would change and employees whose first pay was within the 1st of April would be included.
However, the Chancellor confirmed on 12 May 2020 that there would be no change to this approach, and HMRC have now finalised their guidance in this area.
Now, a lot of workers that have just changed their jobs or started a new job are not eligible under JRS are not receiving any pay as it is not possible for some companies to sustain furlough payments without the support of the JRS. Please sign for employee rights!
