benefit sanctions

minofly

I've had it at work, my boss has been trying unsuccessfully to get rid of me for the last 8 months citing all sorts of spurious issues like lack of performance not following company processes although they arent documented etc, anyway the upshot is that Im sure I will end up being fired or walking out sooner or later and my main concern is surviving being unemployed, I have four kids and my wife is not working as the youngest is only a week old.
I am in receipt of HB/CTC and child benefit at the moment and was wondering what would happen to my benefits if I walked out on my job, Im not sure if I could prove constructive dismissal should the need arise.
Ive been to entitled to etc but there is no calculation option for this eventuality all I know for sure is I would be subject to sanctions on JSA application...

McKneff

Why dont you stick it out and raise a grievance with the company regarding the boss. There has got to be a more adult way than just walking, which is what you seem to think he wants. So you will play right into his hands.

Having a family to consider, it would be irresponsible in the extreme to just walk, especially when your expecting the tax payer to pick up the tab.

And yes, JSA can be sanctioned for up to 26 or 28 weeks and rightly so.

AnxiousMum

You say you cannot really prove constructive dismissal if you were to walk out. You are in the best position at the moment to actually gather evidence of possible constructive dismissal.

If you are spoken to again with regards to not following proper procedures etc., why not ask for that in writing, as well as asking for where in writing, these policies and procedures are recorded so that you can go through them to be sure you are in fact following them. You can do this in a 'Hey, I want to improve my performance' attitude without making the situation worse.
With four kids to feed, you need your job, so you now need to take steps to ensure that you will be able to keep it.

minofly

MCKneff, thanks for the insight, all I can say is that I know that the relevant ACAS procedures are in theory a good thing but in reality if an employer wants you gone its not that hard to do.
The company is very small and as mentioned the MD is aware of the issues and just doesn't want to be involved
I wouldn't be considering walking if I wasn't fairly certain that my line manager is going to get rid of me whatever it takes and am trying to pre-empt having the mark of being fired on my CV in the future.
Regardless of why it happens it sticks out like a sore thumb to any potential employer.

I am also astute enough to understand the nature of my responsibility to my family and this is a major cause of my current uncertainty, worry and stress, If I were single without responsibilities this issue would progress in a whole different light I can assure you.

As far as expecting the tax payer to pick up the tab, I'm aware of the social stigma surrounding claiming benefits, as you surmise rightly so in many cases, however it is a legitimate avenue offered by the government paid for by my taxes for the last 20 odd years and I'm not about to sit at home for the next year "sponging" I am assessing my options in their entirety in order to make the most informed decision should the need arise.

I have held a lot of the same perceptions as you appear to and agree the benefit system is horribly abused by a minority of people but its rather biased to tar everyone with the same brush.

minofly

Anxious, thanks,

I have accrued some supporting proof although I'm not sure whether it would hold up in arbitration, I'm in the IT department and gained access to some of my line managers personal correspondence with other members of staff (on a share he left unsecured) in which he makes it obvious he dislikes me and is taking punitive actions against me like not supplying me with a vehicle allowance, as a matter of fact I'm the only member of the department to not have the allowance.

I really don't have much faith in the disciplinary process/procedure if an employer wants you gone its just a matter of time in my experience, I've seen them do it to two other employees in the last 2 1/2 years.

as mentioned I feel having the "been fired" on my CV may do irreparable harm to my future prospects and it may be easier to leave quietly perhaps, Im just trying to weigh my options so I make the best decision I can should the need arise.

Oldernotwiser

minofly wrote: »

I wouldn't be considering walking if I wasn't fairly certain that my line manager is going to get rid of me whatever it takes and am trying to pre-empt having the mark of being fired on my CV in the future.
Regardless of why it happens it sticks out like a sore thumb to any potential employer.

You should never put your reasons for leaving jobs on a CV, whether you've been sacked or have moved to take up a promotion.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

McKneff wrote: »

Why dont you stick it out and raise a grievance with the company regarding the boss. There has got to be a more adult way than just walking, which is what you seem to think he wants. So you will play right into his hands.

Having a family to consider, it would be irresponsible in the extreme to just walk, especially when your expecting the tax payer to pick up the tab.

And yes, JSA can be sanctioned for up to 26 or 28 weeks and rightly so.

ofcourse people who think this way think of those who leave school or drop out and claim benefit because they can and ofcourse the benefits allways outway the income of those in work yes? WRONG, but forget those who work hard pay their way but fall too ill to work and rely on benefits to keep a roof on their head water in the tap and gas and electricity to keep warm!

do you have a union? if you do i woul;d contact them and if the MD doesnt want to get involved he isnt following so called procedures then is he! if your not in a union enroll in one it might just be the option you need to resolve this matter!