Certsure furloughs some staff – but tops up salaries

Certsure, the electrical safety certification body, has announced that it will be taking part in the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The organisation has agreed to top up the scheme so that furloughed employees will receive their full contractual salaries and pledged to protect members’ continuity of service and ongoing pension provision.

Certsure also moved quickly to get staff working from home.

Prospect negotiator Steve Thomas said:

“Certsure consulted myself and the branch committee before adopting the scheme. We support this move and the company’s other efforts to protect permanent jobs.

“We understand that members may have concerns about furloughing. But we believe Certsure has been reasonable given the unprecedented circumstances – and the fact that is protecting salaries, continuity of service and ongoing pension provision.

“We also believe that the numbers involved are proportionate to maintaining the services to customers and clients.

“The scheme, and individuals on it, will be kept under review. Prospect will engage in this process, including at the end of April and end of May, and will represent members’ views.”

Thomas has organised a dial-in call to answer members’ questions.

He also pointed members to the union’s advice pages which are regularly updated and the union’s guidance on working from home.

Certsure provides professional services and certification to a wide range of customers across the building services sector. It was born out of partnership between Electrical Safety First and the Electrical Contractors’ Association.