UKFT members can access the UKFT Employment & HR helpline for expert advice on the furlough scheme,
redundancies and other employment issues that businesses may be encountering right now.

With years of employment relations in the UK fashion and textile industry at local and national level, UKFT can
provide guidance on a range of issues.

UKFT HR & Employment Update Q1 2021

Covid is still very much increasing numbers of queries to UKFT’s Employment & HR service. The furloughing initiative while being welcomed leaves many unanswered questions.

Many queries have concerned furlough and childcare, carrying forward holidays due to Covid-19 and redundancy proceedings.

Generally queries concerned individual employees with particular issues. Some examples include:

• Dismissal for having to quarantine when no permission given to take holiday.
• Choosing to shield when not advised to by GP.
• Refusing to have jab.
• Refusing to change job content to cover for employee furloughing.
• Asking for immediate 28 days leave when asked to return from furlough.
• Claiming illegal deduction from wages when normal sales commission not included in 80% when on furlough.
• Moving during furlough and not notifying employer of new address.
• Row between employees about the lockdown rules, resulting in tempers raised.

UKFT members should have received a copy of the Q1 2021 update. To request a copy, current members can email info@ukft.org.

The UKFT Employment & HR service

UKFT has considerable experience with regard to advising members on:

• What to consider before employing someone
• How to ensure you effectively manage your relationship with your staff
• How to handle redundancy

UKFT members are able to access the following UKFT employment guides:

• Guide to Employment
• Draft Contract of Employment for Homeworkers
• Draft Contract of Employment
• Draft Grievance Procedure
• Draft Disciplinary Procedure
• Draft Redundancy Procedure
• Redundancy Checklist
• Redundancy Ready Reckoner

UKFT also provides its members with a series of draft policies to help ensure companies keep up to date with HR issues. UKFT draft policies are available on:

• Parental Leave
• Equal Opportunities
• Harassment
• Bullying
• Training & Development
• Employment Tribunal Service

If you find yourself facing an Employment Tribunal, UKFT offers a special service to members. Our employment specialist will assist with any aspect of the procedure, including preparing initial documentation, taking witness statements and representation at the Tribunal. This service is chargeable in addition to your membership fee.

Company Handbooks

UKFT will also help members to write their own Company Handbook, geared specifically to their own circumstances and covering all the areas they deem important.

For further information, UKFT Members with an employment or HR enquiry can contact: info@ukft.org

UKFT EMPLOYMENT & HR