Update: Today, the government has extended furlough until the end of September in order to help businesses deal with the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. You can still request furlough for childcare purposes but the majority are being refused. Here, we revisit Georgia Aspinall's interviews with parents who were nervous to ask for furlough for childcare because of exactly that.
‘I first considered furlough about one month into the first lockdown because having both children at home while working was really hard. But I worried it would look like I wasn’t committed to my job. This time around, I’m so much more drained, I don’t want to go back to the headspace I was in before with how much juggling childcare and work takes out of you.
Yasmin*, 37, is currently working full time with two kids at home aged two and five. After the last lockdown announcement saw schools closed for months, she’s got a big decision to make: to ask for furlough or not to ask for furlough.
Working as a food buyer in the restaurant industry, her job has been wildly stressful because of the pandemic and part-time furlough would mean she could balance childcare and work better. But like so many in her position, she’s worried about how her employer will react.
And she's not wrong to, according to survey of 50,000 women across the UK by trade union umbrella body the TUC, more than 70% of working mothers who asked to be furloughed for childcare reasons since schools shut have been refused.
'Just like in the first lockdown, mums are shouldering the majority of childcare,' TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said. 'Tens of thousands of mums have told us they are despairing. It’s neither possible nor sustainable for them to work as normal, while looking after their children and supervising schoolwork.'
Describing the survey response as a 'cry for help', experts say the gender inequality caused by lockdown will take decades to repair as hardship and stress hits low-paid mothers and single parents the hardest.
For women like Yasmin considering flexible furlough, seeing statistics like that is hard to bear. Yasmin tells me she was already nervous about asking for furlough for childcare incase she looks uncommitted to her job, to go through that emotional turmoil only to receive a no will surely make more women even less likely to reach out for help. With statistics like the above validating women's fears about asking for furlough, employers are making them feel more isolated than ever.
'I didn’t ask for furlough at first because you just get worried what it looks like,' she says. 'But on the flip side I reason with myself that I’m in such an unusual situational, you never have this where you’re having to look after your children and work because there’s no childcare options. It just feels like it’s a really difficult position and I don’t think employers are on board with how difficult it can be for working parents.'
Actually, Yasmin more than entitled to ask for either full or flexible (part-time) furlough for childcare. At the end of last year, the government extended the UK furlough scheme until 30th April 2021 and crucially, added a new update to their furlough eligibility stating that parents can ask for furlough due to caring responsibilities – including looking after children at home because of coronavirus.
It was vital change for parents struggling to balance work and childcare, particularly because as we enter lockdown three, working parents emotional wellbeing is at an all-time low.
‘Last time, it was almost novelty in a way,’ says Yasmin. ‘You were in a really stressful situation but you just thought “I’ve just got to get through this period” whereas this time, I’m so much more worn down. My job has changed so much over the last nine months and after dealing with all of it for so long, it just feels like I’m a lot more drained than I was before.’
But what are the actual rules and how do you ask for furlough because of childcare?
Can parents ask for furlough for childcare reasons?
According to the government website, employers can claim furlough for employees depending on certain eligibility rules. Last November, they added the following update:
‘Your employee is eligible for the grant and can be furloughed, if they are unable to work, including from home or working reduced hours because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19), such as caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing, or caring for a vulnerable individual in their household’
What is flexible furlough? Flexible furlough explained...
The flexible furlough scheme has been in place since July last year, and means you can ask for furlough on a part-time basis. So, you will arrange with your employer to work hours that are suitable, meaning you can take some time off for childcare but remain working for part of the week.
'[To be eligible for furlough] you can be on any type of employment contract, including full-time, part-time, agency, flexible or zero-hour contracts,' the government website reads. 'If your employer flexibly furloughs you, they must also keep records of how many hours you work and the number of hours you are furloughed (not working).'
Basically, unlike full furlough, where you will be paid 80% of you're salary but cannot work at all, you can work part-time and still be paid for the hours you don't work (at 80% of your normal rate).
How does flexible furlough work?
If your employer has not asked you about furlough or requested volunteers for it, you will need to sit down with your manager or employer and request full or flexible furlough yourself. While you may be eligible for furlough, it's not an entitlement - meaning your employer can say no.
If they do say no, we have tips below on how to talk to your employer and stress the impact working and juggling childcare is having on you mentally - plus how unusual this time period is and asking for part-time hours is not necessarily indicative of your overall work attitude.
How is flexi furlough calculated in terms of pay?
'If you are flexibly furloughed, your employer...will pay you in full for any hours you do work whilst on flexible furlough,' it continues. 'Your employer will need to work out your usual hours and record the actual hours you work to calculate your furloughed hours for the claim period. The hours you don't work are then paid at 80% of your normal rate, capped up to £2500, as with full-time furlough.
However, if you decide to ask for complete furlough in order to look after your kids, you'll need to look at if it's going to be financially viable.
'Your employer can apply for a grant to cover part of your regular wages, up to a monthly cap of £2,500,' the government website states. 'If you are fully furloughed, your employer will pay you at least 80% of your regular wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, for the hours you are furloughed (not working). [They] can choose to pay you more than the 80% minimum furlough amount but they do not have to .'
So, if you're earning more than £2,500 per month and your employer chooses not to pay your more than the amount they can claim back for from the government, you may need to prepare for a significant salary reduction. Either way, it's worth exploring your options with your employer
Ho do I take holiday/annual leave while on flexible furlough?
' If you are flexibly furloughed, then any hours taken as holiday during the claim period should be counted as furloughed hours rather than working hours,' says the government website.
Can you be made redundant while on furlough?
Unfortunately, yes they can. 'You can still be made redundant while you’re furloughed,' explains Citizens Advice. 'You employer will take you off the furlough scheme when you start your notice period. They'll still have to pay you any money you're owed and follow the right process. They can’t discriminate against you - check if your redundancy is fair if you’re not sure.'
Childcare and furlough: How can I ask for furlough for childcare?
According to Working Families, many employers are still unaware of the update in guidance, leaving many worried their employer won’t understand when they ask. Since furlough is not an entitlement – your employer doesn’t have to agree even if you’re eligible – they advise the following:
‘[Stress] how difficult this time is for you and your family. Provided you are happy to accept 80% of your normal salary, that it will not cost them anything over the 5% contribution to national insurance contributions and employer pension contributions. You may want to show them the government guidance which allows you to be furloughed for childcare or caring responsibilities.’
You can read more about their advice here.
Of course, if you're particularly worried, you can also remind them how committed you are to your job and subtly hint at the value you bring to the company.
'It’s normal to feel guilty and/or anxious to ask in the worry that your employer may think you are not committed,' says life coach and founder of the Female Entrepreneurs Network, Rebecca Lockwood. 'Take this into consideration when you are writing your list and think through the reasons why you are committed to your role and write these down too so you can bring them up in the conversation if appropriate.
*name has been changed
Read More:
What Is Furlough? The Government Scheme That Pays 80% Of Your Wages Explained
What Are My Rights About Using My Holiday Days In Lockdown? An Employment Lawyer Advises