Hubby been made redundant... need legal advice

Tiggy223

Hi all, he would firstly kill me if he knew I was posting this on here! Basically hubby has been recently made redundant but we believe that it was on unfair terms and want to know our rights. We don't have much of a budget, have been looking online - was suggested We Talk Law from a friend but also seen Which? Law too... just wondered if anyone has any experiences of either of them? I know that they are both over the phone and have read some good reviews of the first one, wasn't able to find many on Which? though.

Any ideas?? :beer::beer:

ILW

What are the unfair terms?

Tiggy223

He was not given written notice and had 14 days verbal and also he was contracted for a further 2 months but now they are claiming he violated the contract (he didn't) and are now saying that it is no longer valid. We're in a pickle. The story goes on and on, we have a horrible history with them but don't want to post the sensitivities online

soccermom

Can you give ACAS a try. They maybe be able to give you the info you need.

I know they helped my son when he was unfairly dismissed.

Tiggy223

think he has looked on there but said it would be too long winded and he wants something more immediate, just read that we talk law only charge £68 for unlimited advice so may give them a try tomorrow. We have been searching for hours so thought i'd post on here to see if anyone had ideas. are ACAS a union soccermom?

getmore4less

How long had he worked there.

What type of contract and what notice was in the contract.

What were you given for redundancy.


Don't pay for advice till you have talked to ACAS over the phone.

Check your house insurance for legal cover.

sleepless_saver

Tiggy223 wrote: »

think he has looked on there but said it would be too long winded and he wants something more immediate, just read that we talk law only charge £68 for unlimited advice so may give them a try tomorrow. We have been searching for hours so thought i'd post on here to see if anyone had ideas. are ACAS a union soccermom?

"We Talk Law" charge £68 for each phone call, not for unlimited advice. And if they think it is too complicated to deal with in a phone call, then you will have to pay for face to face solicitor time.

There are strict time limits and other criteria to be met if your OH wants to challenge his dismissal. You/he can check these out quickly using this checklist from the CAB website which will give a better idea of what your OH's rights actually are. Directgov website has some helpful short info too.

Your local CAB should be able to help with immediate action even if you need a solicitor later. ACAS are very helpful too, and are the real experts.

(By the way, it sounds like he has not been made redundant but has been dismissed).

SarEl

I wouldn't describe the sort of advice that ACAS routinely dispense as "expert". Most solicitors offer a free introductory session - ring around ones that do employment law and ask. At least that way you know they are actually solicitors! Not call centre operators - as with phone in centres and ACAS. Another good trick is to go to several no-win no fee solicitors again for an introductory chat - if they won't touch the case, then you either have no case or you have little prospect of a worthwhile winning case.

Jarndyce

sleepless_saver wrote: »

"We Talk Law" charge £68 for each phone call, not for unlimited advice. And if they think it is too complicated to deal with in a phone call, then you will have to pay for face to face solicitor time.

There are strict time limits and other criteria to be met if your OH wants to challenge his dismissal. You/he can check these out quickly using this checklist from the CAB website which will give a better idea of what your OH's rights actually are. Directgov website has some helpful short info too.

Your local CAB should be able to help with immediate action even if you need a solicitor later. ACAS are very helpful too, and are the real experts.

(By the way, it sounds like he has not been made redundant but has been dismissed).

I really do not agree with this. ACAS do NOT (or at least should not) give legal advice. They should be giving impartial factual advice about procedures and how to assert your rights, but not commenting on the merits of your case.

Assuming your 'hubby' (I detest that word) is not in a trade union (and again, if not, why not?) then if he really wants impartial objective advice as to whether he has got a case, either post the facts on here (we have solicitors, qualified advisors and even barristers giving free advice here), or go see an employment law solicitor - a free half hour should be enough to give you a clear idea as to whether or not you have a case.

Edit: I agree this sounds more like a dismissal than a redundancy. Post the basic facts as requested (including how long he had been employed there) and you will get a feel for whether this is worth pursuing.

sleepless_saver

sleepless_saver wrote: »

ACAS are very helpful too, and are the real experts.

OK, Jarndyce and SarEl, I concede. ACAS are not the legal experts, but I have found them helpful in explaining procedures!

OP, have you checked your home insurance policy yet to see if it covers legal advice.

nashly

I got legal aid with mine which is still ongoing.