Being made redundant

misspoppy

Hi

I've just found out a friend is going to be made redundant but hasn't got a date yet.

Looking at a worst case senario what should she do to prevent herself from getting into too much trouble. She does have some debt but I don't know the details. Her BF has can't/won't get a job and has been relying on her so she won't be supported by him.

I've looked on here, CCCS and Payplan but there isn't any guide as what to do once you know you'll be made redundant.

Thanks for you're help

CLAPTON

first thing for her to do is to create a proper budget (SOA) so she knows where all her money is going

secondly stop spending all non essential money now (none of that ..'better buy in now because we wont be able to afford it later' or comfort meals out/takeaways )

thirdly look to reduce even essential spending..better grocery shopping etc

forthly (or perahps firstly ): get BF to get a job or equivalent

but without knowing her SOA and what debts she has, what her job prospects are, or knowing her redundancy money, it difficult to say much more

Skint_Catt

Depends whether she'll be getting any redundancy and whether her line of work is hard to find.

She shopuld register with agencies NOW if applicable - telling them she will be in touch as soon as she knows her date.

S_C

misspoppy

Thanks
She was going home to have the conversation with the BF he is taking the P. I believe they have slashed all non essential spending as she's been supporting BF and struggling.

Shes very level headed and will get any job she can but in her line she should get another job ok.

Thanks for your replies

new_leaf_6

I was made redundant last month and thought that I'd get another job right away - it didn't happen. I used my redundancy money to pay off my debts and was left with enough to buy a small car for work. I haven't bought it yet (good advice from here) and have to live off JSA till I get work. I can only say that it makes a difference having no debt now - I don't worry so much. If your friend can manage to clear her debt with any money she gets, she'll cope with the situation better. She should also get rid of the BF.

bobbie78

I've been made redundant twice in 2 years and it really sucks. The best advice you can remember and keep telling yourself is "it is the job that is redundant and not you" although it really doesn't feel like that at the time. Don't be holding out for redundancy money as these big sums people talk about aren't the norm unless there are special reasons. Basically they don't have to give you any redundancy money (unless they are nice) if you have worked there for less than 2 years, then you just get given notice dependant on what your contract says eg 1 month which you may or may not have to work depending again on how nice they are. If you have worked there more than 2 years you get 1 weeks salary for every year you have been there BUT this is like SSP salary it isn't necessarily your real salary - again unless the company is really nice and gives you extra.

Some people will say go to a union and get advice - there is a free one which I'm sure someone will remember the name off which I can't - some people will say get a solicitor. It really all depends on the circumstances, my first redundancy there were 120 of us going and as they were winding up shop they held off giving the good people their dates until the company were ready to let those people go which dragged on into months. There are also special rules where they have a consultation period if it is above a certain number of people going at once and then it can drag on for months. They might offer a job in another department or they might not. If they are a tight company they might hope if they give people lots of notice they will quit as they have a new job and therefore not pay out - it is only worth hanging on like this if you know your going to get a big chunk of money OR if you have any PPI on loans or a mortgage that requires you to be made redundant (there are special forms you have to send in) before they pay out.

I'd advise trying to have a chat with the CAB as they will be able to help with courses on re-training or just doing cv's and stuff which really help when your head is in a spin from it all.

If it is just that person and they feel hard done by that it should be someone else and not them going then maybe see if they can get a free sit down with a solicitor who does employment law for advice. BUT again you have to have worked some where over 2 years at least for some employee protection laws to come in, and unless you have a very good case or are brave enough to haggle and risk being left with nothing you might have to pay a solicitor hundreds to help sort it out. This is what happened to me the second time.


Redundancy effects people in different ways, but it can end up being the shove you need to really progress, I've tripled my salary since I was made redundant the first time now and that is just because you learn not to trust the companies promises and realise no job is for life any more. I wish your friend all the luck in the world. Get them to put their cv on monster.co.uk and apply for jobs that are similar or better than what they have now, they might not have had the confidence before to do this but they may end up getting a much better job because of it and look back and be glad even though at the time it is the worst feeling in the world. Just remember it is the job that is redundant not them, and they will show that company how wrong they were to let them go when they get a job that is 5 k more than what they had now and less hard work.


So sorry that is all a bit long and waffley I hope this helps you, you just have to help them see their strengths, e.g. organising, good communication, if they are happy using email/word etc, things that may not sound job related but will help you realise there are other jobs you can apply for which are the same but slightly different which they can still do. It is just getting your cv done and having the motivation to apply for things you'd never consider before, and yet the worry you'll get stuck with something rubbish. With a good friend like you looking out for them I'm sure they will be fine.

Bogof_Babe

I think in certain circumstances the employer is obliged to offer paid time off for job seeking, and sometimes support from a jobs consultant too. Is she the only one being laid off, or is it a cull of more than 10 or so employees?

If your friend belongs to a union she should enquire about the above re-employment help. Also whether there are any other vacancies in her company that she might be considered for.

barnaby-bear

CLAPTON wrote:

forthly (or perahps firstly ): get BF to get a job or equivalent

I was thinking get a better BF.

CLAPTON

barnaby-bear wrote:

I was thinking get a better BF.

yes indeed , it was my non judgemental way of putting it!

sheraz2

misspoppy wrote:

Her BF has can't/won't get a job

Tell her this is the root of her problems!