Given redundancy notice!!

icclebug

Hi all,

I have just been informed completely out of the blue that I am nearly certain to face redundancy. We have just entered into a consultation period but notices will be issued next week and I have until the 31st March.

I am 36 now and have worked all my life, I have never had to claim any form of benefits at all. My wife works and earns approx £21k a year so I presume I cannot claim anything??

I have only been with the organisation a year, so I am not entitled to any redundancy package.

We will barely be able to make ends meet so any suggestions for anything I can claim or get help with would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hawthorn

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that.
I can't offer advice on anything you'll be able to claim, but I'm sure someone will have some ideas.

Here's what I'd do in your situation - cut down spending now. Head over to the old style board - they have some great ways of cutting down on food spends etc. Hopefully something there will be useful to you.

Is your CV up to date? Get that sorted, so it's done when the time comes to seek work.

I'm not sure if you have any debt, but if you do, head over to the Debt free wannabe board. They'll be able to give you advice on what you can cut down on to save money.

Best wishes - I know it's hard, but you may just get right into another job, and all of this worry will be for nothing.
Do what you can to help the situation, but don't fall into despair.

ailuro2

if yopu really think you'll be made redundant, then start looking now before the rest of your workforce joins the hunt - they will need to stick around to get their redindancy, you will not be in that position, so make the most of it.

Sorry that's the only suggestion I can come up with.

ceridwen

check out

www.entitledto.com

Newly_retired

If you have paid Class 1 NI contributions for the two previous tax years you should be able to get contribution-based Jobseekers allowance ( JSA) for six months. If not, I'm afraid your wife's wage will prevent you getting income based JSA.

Newly_retired

Your wife will probably be able to claim Working Tax Credit and if you have children, Child Tax Credit too.

icclebug

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check out some of the suggestions and keep my chin up!!!
:think:

slummymummyof3

Make the most of your income now and stock up on food etc that is on offer in the supermarkets. Use lentils etc to bulk out spag bol/chilli etc and cook from scratch in order to reduce your food bill.

Look at what else you can realistically cut back on or do without - Sky/Mobile phone etc - make the changes now while you still have the income rather than waiting until you reach crisis point.

icclebug

Thanks slummymummy, good job I used to be a chef eh!!

Food should be no problem, I could do with a miracle cure for the mortgage though!!

Still feeling upbeat though, I'm not out yet.

Thank you...:p

reheat

Are your company offering only the statutory redundancy payments, or are they - like mine was - offering their own enhanced package as well? If the latter then even one year's service may still qualify?

thirdparty

icclebug wrote: »

I have only been with the organisation a year, so I am not entitled to any redundancy package.

Sorry to hear about situation, must of been quite a shock to the system.

Our company made staff redundant and although many were not entitled to redundancy pay, through negotiation in the consultation period they ended up with an agreement that all staff would get a minimum of two month's pay.

It all depends on your employer and how generous they are and how they value their reputation as a good employer to work for etc..