Understanding Society User Support

Dear Darja,

In Waves 5 & 6, respondents who had said they had been on furlough and hadn’t said previously that they have stopped being on furlough were asked whether they were still on furlough: cW_stillfurl. However, options 1 & 2 for the cW_stillfurl question are only available in Wave 5 (Sep2020) questionnaire and Wave 6 (Nov2020) telephone questionnaire because the still furloughed question, cW_stillfurl, did not work for Wave 6 (Nov2020). The reason is that we fielded it around the time a “Job Support Scheme” was going to be implemented to replace the JRS. But then that policy was scraped and so what we fielded doesn’t actually capture furloughing correctly in November (the response options in that month have a routing). The end result is that we don’t think the furloughing information can be easily constructed for Wave 6 (Nov2020). However, there may be a creative way for data users to infer furloughing for the previously furloughed in November by looking at reported work hours. For example, those working for zero hours and employed are most likely on furlough, but people can work some small hours and still be furloughed.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Understanding Society User Support Team