Christian Aid will furlough 20% of its UK staff and move everyone else to a four-day week.
Under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 20% of its staff will not work between 27 April 2020 until 30 June 2020.
All non-furloughed UK staff have been asked to move to a four-day week and will receive 80% of their salary for 12 weeks.
Directors and most senior managers will not be furloughed, but the leadership group has been asked to move to 80% pay for the three months of May through July. They will continue to work a full working week.
Income drop
The international development charity anticipates a drop in unrestricted income of £6m in the current financial year. The charity aims to save £1m in payroll over the next nine weeks, which will be supplemented by fully drawing down on its available reserves.
The charity said it will ensure no staff member falls below the real living wage, and will also top up the government scheme to a maximum of 80% for any staff who earn more than the furlough cap.
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, chief executive of Christian Aid, said: “These have been and continue to be hard decisions to make. We must do what is right for the communities we serve, for supporters who walk with us and for our staff.
“Whilst there are many threats to our traditional income sources, it is also clear that Christian Aid’s vision, mission and values are needed now more than ever – this is our moment to show the world we care, we are equipped, and we can join the fight against this pandemic.
“From our homes, through our digital channels and virtual networks, we must connect with supporters, donors and institutions to deliver relief, strengthen poor people’s resilience and build a safer world beyond the pandemic.
“We are encouraged by the response to our coronavirus appeal and look forward to working with the thousands of churches and supporters up and down the country who will continue to take part in our new digital Christian Aid Week to support the world’s poorest and most marginalised who will feel the impacts of Coronavirus deeply. Coronavirus has shown us that our futures are bound more tightly together than ever before.”
Christian Aid Week this year, from the 10 to 16 May, is being run online.
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