Newcastle United is the first Premier League club to ask their non-playing staff on temporary leave and have been instructed to apply for job retention scheme.
These include employees from the academy and foundation charity.
Club managing director Lee Charnley said the decision was taken to safeguard the club’s future.
Workers will be paid 100% of their salaries until the end of April, and a decision will be made depending on the current coronavirus situation.
Worst case scenario, they will lose their job.