GAME has put staff across its business on furlough with full pay until the end of April.
On 24th March, GAME was forced to close all of its 247 stores after the government shut all shops selling “non-essential” goods.
In an email sent last night, 31st March, and seen by Eurogamer, Frasers Group (Mike Ashley’s retail business) notified furloughed staff it will pay them their regular pay from 26th March up to 30th April 2020, but it cannot guarantee full pay – or jobs – after the end of April.
This regular pay, Eurogamer understands, is worked out based on average monthly income, rather than contracted hours, which will come as some relief to the many GAME staff on low-hours contracts but work full-time hours.
“We are working in unprecedented times,” reads the letter. “Every day our lives and economy see huge changes. COVID-19 touches every aspect of what we do. All of us are affected, as individuals, businesses and society at large. Our economy is fighting for survival. Retail remains one of the hardest hit sectors. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure that our business remains as strong as possible for the benefit of all of us.