Many employers are having to layoff, terminate or furlough staff
during the mandated isolation caused by this pandemic.
This raises many issues and questions about the proper handling of
these decisions.
How To Handle Reduced Need For Staff - Furlough Vs.
Termination
Consider all the options including reduced hours, staggering
workforce so staff work one week but not the next, furloughs, or
terminations (as a last resort). It is also wise to consider
asking for voluntary layoffs for employees who want or can do
so. The difference between a furlough and layoff/termination,
is that a furlough is a temporary layoff and the expectation is
that the employee will be returned to his/her position once the
need for their services returns. Also, in a furlough
you can usually maintain all benefits and have the employee
continue to pay their share of the premiums.
