Hillier's Headlines
My weekly roundup of industry news and what’s happening here at People Group Services.
The majority of the industry news, certainly that which has an impact on our contractors, will be the main focus for this week’s Hillier’s Headlines. I don’t think I’ve had a minute to focus on anything else, let alone write about it!
The CJRS is changing
I did mention this last week, but definitely worth a reminder. The deadline for furloughing any employee for the first time is tomorrow (10 June), which allows for the first 3 week period of Furlough up to the end of June deadline.
For August, September and October the percentages will change, with employers contributing in increasing amount as we draw to the end of the CJRS. And from 01 July the scheme will allow for employees to come back to work on a part time basis, with the CJRS covering those hours not worked. View all of the changes here.
Latest CJRS updates – Term time workers and school holidays
As already mentioned, it’s been a very busy week as a result of the updated guidance to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) on Friday 22 May. The latest update gave clarification on furlough payments for term-time workers during e.g. half term and the summer break. With a good percentage of our contractors working in the education sector, and as we have throughout the pandemic, we needed to understand this quickly.
Previous guidance (6.4): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/879484/200414_CJRS_DIRECTION_-_33_FINAL_Signed.pdf
Updated guidance (6.4): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/886959/CJRS_DIRECTION_No2___20_05_2020.pdf
After seeking additional legal advice, it was confirmed that we should not continue to make furlough payments during these normal school holidays. This left the potential for thousands of contractors to not receive any payment last Friday following the recent half term. We acted quickly and gave our contractors a choice to either receive payment using holiday accrual or to receive no payment. The large majority of our contractors got in touch and we were able to process payroll based on their wishes.
In reacting so quickly to help our contractors, we inevitably become an easy target (particularly while some providers sit quietly and do nothing), and I won’t lie, we have received some negativity from a handful, but what I keep reminding myself is you can’t help all of the people all of the time. We have made a massive difference to thousands of people, and they let me know most days! You can view some of the comments here.
As a result of this updated guidance, we now look to the next normal holiday, and it’s the big one; the summer break. While we constantly monitor guidance we await hopefully further clarification from the government. We are in regular contact with NASUWT and other teaching unions who are also raising their concerns and seeking additional guidance.
The full changes to the scheme are due to be published on Friday (this week) 12 June.
Clarification on the 39 week Vs 52 week calculations
This is one of the questions we have been asked frequently over the past couple of months so last week we published a rather dry read to explain. If you are unsure or have contractors who query their payments being calculated over 52 weeks, read this. I’d also recommend keeping an eye on our news page on the website, where you can access our recent FAQs and resources.
Two new insights due this week
Look out for a couple of new insights that we are due to release this week. There’ll be one focusing on getting back to work, something we all need to be thinking about right now. The second draws from our recent contractor survey and leaders interviews to look at ways in which recruiters need to think differently. Both will be available later in the week on our insights page. To be sure to see them first, you can sign up on that page.
New homepage
Today is the day. We’ll have a new homepage for our website!
As you’ll know, not a lot stands still for too long these days and with all of the content we publish, set against an ever changing backdrop, we’ve wanted to update the page for some time. If you are reading this you’ll likely be one of the first to get an opportunity to view the new look! Please do let us know what you think [email protected] or you can email me. https://peoplegroupservices.com/
We hope the new ‘shop window’ will make it easier for different people to find what they need and engage with us as simply as possible.
Tiara Awards 2020
I’m delighted to confirm we are TIARA Talent Tech Star Finalists in two categories. The annual awards shine a spotlight on the HR Tech providers enabling excellence in recruitment and talent acquisition. Our entries are for THE FCSA CONTRACTOR SOLUTION OF THE YEAR and THE COMPLIANCE SOLUTION OF THE YEAR. Full details of the awards can be found here
I’d love to be able to report on all the wonderful things I’ve been up to aside from working, but it feels like I’ve not left my home office recently! Either way, that’s probably enough for this week’s edition.
Get in touch to discuss or if you have any questions.
Terry Hillier, CEO People Group Services.