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Budget Shortfall
SteveP29
Posts: 34 Forumite
Stick with me, this could be long and complicated.....
Working in the public sector on a 2 year contract, was more or less told that the contract would not be extended, due to government cutbacks, budget savings etc. Like an idiot, I started pulling my affairs together 6 months before the end of the contract (I was NOT using the company's IT system or stationery etc to apply for jobs, in fact, I wasn't applying for jobs from work) whilst doing my job.
A colleague, who, to all intents and purposes was my team leader, but was actually really only of equal standing to me, who was supposed to filter work down to me from the section head (but didn't) spotted me doing this and reported me to management, complaining that I was doing non work when he was snowed under.
The company deemed this as misuse of the computer system and promptly started disciplinary proceedings.
Knowing that I had done wrong and the company's stance on these matters I believed I faced little chance of successfully defending myself, after a sleepless night, I tendered my resignation. I did this to a, avoid having a dismissal against me to b, give myself the best chance of regaining employment and c, to avoid the company having to go through the rigmarole and effort of having to clear diaries and take up expensive time in arranging and holding a disciplinary meeting.
My manager accepted the resignation and I was to complete 4 weeks notice period, I believed that would be the end of it.
I was then informed a week later that I was to appear at a disciplinary scheduled for the day before I was due to leave the company.
I duly prepared and went to the disciplinary and stated my case (as not appearing would have been seen as an even bigger admittal of guilt and in which, the panel would have only heard the company's side of the story)
The decision took 30 minutes for the panel to come to, after both sides had stated their case, and I was given a final written warning, which was stated was only given in light of the fact that I had already tendered my resignation. Their judgement would have been that I would have been dismissed if I had not tendered my resignation.
I was told by letter that this verdict would be placed on my file for 24 months, therefore any prospective employer would be told about this disciplinary matter if they applied to my former company for a reference during this period.
I had been unsuccessful in getting a new job in the notice period and promptly signed on, to continue receiving NI credits and obviously benefit.
After several letters from the DWP asking for answers to questions about how my employment ended, and which showed answers to questions asked of my former manager, they initially decided that I would receive JSA of £65.45 per week.
Three weeks after this confirmation, I received another letter saying that they needed more information from me, this entailed more questions and more evidence from my former manager. Some 3 weeks after that, I received another letter saying that I am not entitled to JSA or NI credits until November 2010 (3 months) as they (the DWP) had decided that it was my misconduct that caused me to lose my job.
I was told that I may qualify for hardship allowance, so I applied.
I am now awaiting the decision as to whether I will receive these payments.
My current outgoings are:
Mobile Phone £35 a month (5 months into an 18 month contract, not breakable without penalty)
Broadband £15 a month
Sky TV £38 a month
Credit Card repayments £45 a month
Football Season ticket £50 a month (3 payments left)
That's obviously £79 a month more than I will be bringing in (assuming I am awarded the hardship payments), this is BEFORE I spend any money on clothes, travel to interviews, stamps and envelopes to send off job applications and rent to my parents, who I live with (but have said they will not support me)
I know I could cancel Sky altogether, this would save me the £38, that still leaves me £41 short of being able to break even.
As stated, the mobile phone contract cannot be broken without penalty.
The broadband is required as many people will know, a high percentage of job applications have to be submitted online.
I've had my football season ticket for 15 years and have already paid £350 (70%) of this years ticket which I would not get back if I stop payment to them, plus I would lose the ticket immediately and would not be able to attend any more games, that would mean I paid £350 for 1 game!.
I have £150 in my current account, it is the only money I have at present, with an agreed £200 overdraft. This would cover the shortfall, but I would prefer not to incur the interest charge that would be payable for going into the red.
I've been debt free apart from less than a maximum £600 on credit cards in the last 13 years, I don't wish to be getting into a debt situation at nearly 40 years old.
Can anyone suggest what I can do to boost my income, or at least my chances of making ends meet.
I have accepted that my actions were the at least half of the cause of me losing my job and accept that this is probably what I deserved and would never absolve myself of any blame, so please, if you do respond, only advice not judgement or criticism for what I have done.
Thanks in advance for advice
Working in the public sector on a 2 year contract, was more or less told that the contract would not be extended, due to government cutbacks, budget savings etc. Like an idiot, I started pulling my affairs together 6 months before the end of the contract (I was NOT using the company's IT system or stationery etc to apply for jobs, in fact, I wasn't applying for jobs from work) whilst doing my job.
A colleague, who, to all intents and purposes was my team leader, but was actually really only of equal standing to me, who was supposed to filter work down to me from the section head (but didn't) spotted me doing this and reported me to management, complaining that I was doing non work when he was snowed under.
The company deemed this as misuse of the computer system and promptly started disciplinary proceedings.
Knowing that I had done wrong and the company's stance on these matters I believed I faced little chance of successfully defending myself, after a sleepless night, I tendered my resignation. I did this to a, avoid having a dismissal against me to b, give myself the best chance of regaining employment and c, to avoid the company having to go through the rigmarole and effort of having to clear diaries and take up expensive time in arranging and holding a disciplinary meeting.
My manager accepted the resignation and I was to complete 4 weeks notice period, I believed that would be the end of it.
I was then informed a week later that I was to appear at a disciplinary scheduled for the day before I was due to leave the company.
I duly prepared and went to the disciplinary and stated my case (as not appearing would have been seen as an even bigger admittal of guilt and in which, the panel would have only heard the company's side of the story)
The decision took 30 minutes for the panel to come to, after both sides had stated their case, and I was given a final written warning, which was stated was only given in light of the fact that I had already tendered my resignation. Their judgement would have been that I would have been dismissed if I had not tendered my resignation.
I was told by letter that this verdict would be placed on my file for 24 months, therefore any prospective employer would be told about this disciplinary matter if they applied to my former company for a reference during this period.
I had been unsuccessful in getting a new job in the notice period and promptly signed on, to continue receiving NI credits and obviously benefit.
After several letters from the DWP asking for answers to questions about how my employment ended, and which showed answers to questions asked of my former manager, they initially decided that I would receive JSA of £65.45 per week.
Three weeks after this confirmation, I received another letter saying that they needed more information from me, this entailed more questions and more evidence from my former manager. Some 3 weeks after that, I received another letter saying that I am not entitled to JSA or NI credits until November 2010 (3 months) as they (the DWP) had decided that it was my misconduct that caused me to lose my job.
I was told that I may qualify for hardship allowance, so I applied.
I am now awaiting the decision as to whether I will receive these payments.
My current outgoings are:
Mobile Phone £35 a month (5 months into an 18 month contract, not breakable without penalty)
Broadband £15 a month
Sky TV £38 a month
Credit Card repayments £45 a month
Football Season ticket £50 a month (3 payments left)
That's obviously £79 a month more than I will be bringing in (assuming I am awarded the hardship payments), this is BEFORE I spend any money on clothes, travel to interviews, stamps and envelopes to send off job applications and rent to my parents, who I live with (but have said they will not support me)
I know I could cancel Sky altogether, this would save me the £38, that still leaves me £41 short of being able to break even.
As stated, the mobile phone contract cannot be broken without penalty.
The broadband is required as many people will know, a high percentage of job applications have to be submitted online.
I've had my football season ticket for 15 years and have already paid £350 (70%) of this years ticket which I would not get back if I stop payment to them, plus I would lose the ticket immediately and would not be able to attend any more games, that would mean I paid £350 for 1 game!.
I have £150 in my current account, it is the only money I have at present, with an agreed £200 overdraft. This would cover the shortfall, but I would prefer not to incur the interest charge that would be payable for going into the red.
I've been debt free apart from less than a maximum £600 on credit cards in the last 13 years, I don't wish to be getting into a debt situation at nearly 40 years old.
Can anyone suggest what I can do to boost my income, or at least my chances of making ends meet.
I have accepted that my actions were the at least half of the cause of me losing my job and accept that this is probably what I deserved and would never absolve myself of any blame, so please, if you do respond, only advice not judgement or criticism for what I have done.
Thanks in advance for advice
0
Comments
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Sell your season ticket, give up Sky - problem sorted!Gone ... or have I?0
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Downgrade phone contract?Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
50p saver #40 £20 banked
Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.250 -
I`m just wondering what exactly the "hardship allowance" is?0
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I was told it was 40% of JSA
Hmmm, I guess that's something else that'll have to be looked up on the hopeless direct.gov site or whatever it is this week
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Im sure a post on your local gumtree and someone will take your season ticket off your hands. Jobcentre have already stated you wont get JSA till november so there is nothing else you can claim. Just have to look into selling things etc0
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- Cancel Sky
- Cancel the broadband (your library should have free internet access)
- Sell the season ticket to a mate, or advertise locally, or if you have a birthday coming up, ask for an advance cash present to pay some of the balance
- Call your phone provider, explain you are now out of work and see if they will downgrade your service - they might prefer that to risking you not paying at all
- Voluntary work will not only boost your CV and possibly give you new skills, but will provide an additional reference for future employers
- Have a clear out of DVDs, CDs, games, books and so on and sell them on eBay
- If you play a musical instrument - go busking in a town centre at the weekend (my son is desperate to do this but I won't let him til he's older - he's 13)
- Look in your local paper and contact local businesses for casual work such as delivering leaflets, phone directories and so on
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