Furlough and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

More than 11 million jobs have been furloughed in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many businesses have been able to furlough workers because of direct financial support from the government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Professors Chris Forde and Mark Stuart discuss their findings from a survey of managers on the practice of furlough, their experiences of the CJRS, and workplace change during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This podcast episode was recorded remotely in October 2021. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.  

Read the report: Furloughing and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the UK 

Visit the webpage. 

This project has been supported with funding from Research England’s Quality-related Research Strategic Priorities Funding (QR SPF). 

About the speakers: Chris Forde is Professor of Employment Studies, Co-Director of the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change, Data Observatory Lead at the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre and co-ordinator of the University of Leeds Q-Step Programme. His research interests look at the changing nature of work, and the implications of these changes for workers.  

Professor Mark Stuart is Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation at Leeds University Business School, founder of the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change, and Co-Director of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre. His current research focuses on the wide-ranging effects of digitalisation on the future of work; restructuring and displacement in the steel sector; and union modernisation, skills and learning.