Furlough

In recruiter context

Mostly a COVID-era term in the UK, where the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme paid 80% of salary up to a cap from March 2020 to September 2021. Outside that scheme, furlough has no statutory framework in the UK — it's just a contractual arrangement. The word still pops up in CVs and interviews, and recruiters won't hold a 2020-2021 furlough period against you. If a current employer is asking you to accept unpaid furlough, read the contract carefully — it can affect continuity of service and pension contributions.