Eligibility until 30 June 2020
Employees could be on any type of contract, and the scheme arrangements extend to:
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• full-time employees
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• part-time employees
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• agency workers and umbrella companies
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• employees on flexible hours or zero-hour contracts
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• apprentices
The guidance expressly states that foreign nationals were eligible to be furloughed. Grants under the scheme are not counted as 'access to public funds', and employers can furlough employees on all categories of visa.
Furloughed employees (see below for the meaning of 'furloughed') could not work for the employer during the period of furlough. Therefore, if any elements of employment duties are being performed, the employee will not qualify for the scheme. There is no de minimis, and therefore no work-related activities may be carried out.
The guidance provides that when an employee is on furlough, the employer cannot ask the employee to do any work that:
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• makes money for the employer's organisation, or any organisation linked or associated with the employer's organisation
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• provides services for