Coronavirus Update

Updated 09:34 Wednesday, April 29th 2020

Government announcement on testing Update - Wednesday, April 29^th 2020

Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms who either has to leave home to go to work or is aged 65 and over will now be able to get tested. For further information and to book a test online see here.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Update – Update, Thursday 9^th April 2020

In line with Government guidance, Pertemps has started to identify those agency workers who are eligible for the Job Retention Scheme (furlough). Whilst we understand the frustrations and difficult financial circumstances many are facing, please be assured that we are doing everything we can to make payments available as soon as possible to those that are eligible. We continue to seek clarification on a number of outstanding queries relating to the Government grant scheme criteria with HMRC.

In order for eligibility for furlough payments to be considered: -

Furloughed workers must have been on our PAYE payroll on 28 Feb 2020
It does not apply if an agency worker is currently working on assignment or being paid for an ongoing assignment
Furlough has to be set and in place for minimum of three weeks
Individual workers must agree to be furloughed
Furloughed workers will not be allowed to take any other work assignments with Pertemps after agreeing to furlough and whilst accepting furlough pay.

Pertemps values all of our flexible workforce across the UK and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the work they do on behalf of our clients and ourselves throughout the year.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Update, Tuesday 31^st March 2020

Following the Government’s publishing of guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, we have been working to clarify how the scheme is being extended to PAYE agency workers. Whilst more information has been made available there are still outstanding queries as to how this scheme will operate. We are currently working to identify those workers that may be eligible for furlough in line with the criteria we have available to us and contact will be made with those workers over the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued understanding and we will communicate further information as soon as possible.

Government announcement on annual leave – message for agency workers

In recent days, the Government has announced that it is to relax rules on statutory holiday for key workers. Currently, workers who do not take their annual leave in a 12-month period will lose their holiday. The new Government guidance applies to all agency workers in key roles and will allow you to carry over a period of holiday into following leave years. As a key worker employed by Pertemps, this will mean you can continue the vital work you are doing at this time of national effort.

Pertemps would like to once again thank all of our agency workers for the commitment they are showing at this time in supporting the UK infrastructure. This latest government announcement will ensure that, as an essential worker, you will not lose holiday entitlement. We are currently reviewing the guidance with our industry bodies and will provide further communications to you about your statutory holiday. In the meantime, keep checking the Pertemps website for updates.

Agency workers and Job Retention Scheme

On 26^th March, the Government announced details of its Job Retention Scheme. This temporary scheme is available to all employers, including recruitment agencies, and covers agency workers on PAYE. Pertemps is currently working with industry bodies including the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) in reviewing the guidance. Further communications will be issued when we have clarification on how the scheme will operate for agency workers. In the meantime, keep checking the website for updates.

Key Workers

In response to Covid-19, Pertemps Network Group is now placing over 15,000 key workers in essential roles daily, supporting sectors including: