Where do we stand?

Kittypuss85

My partner hates his job - an I mean really really dislikes it. He only started in December, and he wishes he'd never left his old job.

He is getting more and more depressed by the day and I hate to see him like this. I want to support him and wish i could tell him to just leave, but we've 2 kids and he's sticking at it so we can afford them.

My job pays more than his, and there is plenty of opportunity for overtime at the moment, and if he's not working, I can work any hours they have going.

He has applied for 3 other jobs and not been successful yet, he is still looking.

Other than child tax credits which we are entitled to as we both work full time hours but dont earn over the threshold combined, we do not claim any benefits and never have done.

We have only a little savings as they were spent booking things for our wedding as we are meant to be getting married in autumn this year. (Booked before this situation came about)

So my question is this - if he was just to walk out - where would we stand? What would we be entitled to?

karenx

Its easier to get a job when you already have one! I would stick out with it. If he left and tried to claim JSA he would be sanctioned for upto 26 weeks for leaving.

xylophone

My old Dad used to say "Never leave one job until you have another."
I think he was a wise man.

Dunroamin

xylophone wrote: »

My old Dad used to say "Never leave one job until you have another."
I think he was a wise man.

The only parental advice that I listened to!

BigAunty

Kittypuss85 wrote: »

...

So my question is this - if he was just to walk out - where would we stand? What would we be entitled to?

Model the loss of employment income on the Turn2us online benefit calculator to see if your tax credits will increase and whether any council tax discount is due.

If you are a tenant, you can enter information about the Local Housing Allowance (housing benefit), you can find out the maximum rate on the LHA direct website and the calculator will take your employment income into account.

If he leaves the job, he can only get JSA if he shows he has good cause, otherwise he will be sanctioned for up to 6 months. Google to find out what the exceptions are to avoid a sanction. Additionally, he'd only get contributions based JSA of approx £67 pw if he paid full contributions for the past two tax years.

chris1973

My partner hates his job - an I mean really really dislikes it

Him and around 'xx' million others then, myself included. However i've managed to stick it out for 20 years, others are probably just completing a lifetime of unhappiness. When my Father retired from his final job, his last working speech at his farewell party was "Thank god thats 40 years of hell over with" the difference was, it wasn't just a funny opening line - he meant it.

and he wishes he'd never left his old job.

One of the reasons i've stuck mine for so long is because its not always greener on the other side, the type of jobs around here are what i've already got, pay minimum wage, never get thanked, get the legal minimum amount of holidays and the boss can't even remember your surname after two decades of Servitude!.

Sometimes its better to look at what you have got and be thankful for it, many people genuinely on hard times would be happy to be in a position to make that decision. Who knows, he may leave this Job and get one thats even worse - its happened before!. I honestly don't think leaving a job and joining benefits is going to make him feel happier!.

He has applied for 3 other jobs and not been successful yet, he is still looking.

If he really hates his Job that much, then he'll apply for 50 more, and another 150 if he has to, what better incentive than getting up in the morning and dreading going to work. Three Job applications is not exactly throw in the towel reason.

So my question is this - if he was just to walk out - where would we stand? What would we be entitled to?

I dont want to be unsympathetic but...Good Grief, not another one of these "our family / relationship and its future only depends on what we get in benefits" posts. Jog On. What about your kids and how they will feel from one of you leaving and the family splitting up?. Surely even finding a job in another area and moving the entire family would be better than that?.

Like many have said before, he needs to keep applying for Jobs whilst he is in a Job. It doesn't look very good to a prospective employer if he seems the type of person who throws in the towel at the first opportunity, and it wont look good on his CV / employment reference check, if he leaves for 'personal reasons' after such a short time in his current position.

dibuzz

chris1973 wrote: »

I dont want to be unsympatheitc but...Good Grief, not another one of these "our family / relationship and its future only depends on what we get in benefits" posts. Jog On. What about your kids and how they will feel from the family splitting up?.

I can't see any mention of the family splitting up :huh:

bluebird

Kittypuss85 wrote: »

So my question is this - if he was just to walk out - where would we stand? What would we be entitled to?

I'm guessing you are talking about walking out of his job? and NOT walking out on you?
If his job is making him miserable tell him to lump it till he finds another job, don't leave and lose the income.
he must work hard to find a job he's happy with.out of curiosity why did he leave his job before? to work in this one which he now hates?
will any job make him happy?

Bogof_Babe

Kittypuss85 wrote: »

My partner hates his job - an I mean really really dislikes it. He only started in December, and he wishes he'd never left his old job.

He is getting more and more depressed by the day and I hate to see him like this. I want to support him and wish i could tell him to just leave, but we've 2 kids and he's sticking at it so we can afford them.

My job pays more than his, and there is plenty of opportunity for overtime at the moment, and if he's not working, I can work any hours they have going.

He has applied for 3 other jobs and not been successful yet, he is still looking.

Other than child tax credits which we are entitled to as we both work full time hours but dont earn over the threshold combined, we do not claim any benefits and never have done.

We have only a little savings as they were spent booking things for our wedding as we are meant to be getting married in autumn this year. (Booked before this situation came about)

So my question is this - if he was just to walk out - where would we stand? What would we be entitled to?

How about he leaves work and becomes a SAHD for a while? This should save you childcare costs, and as you say yourself you can earn more than him, and take advantage of all the overtime going.

Is it too late to get refunds on the wedding costs, and either postpone it or just have a basic Registry Office do, with a pint in the pub afterwards?

ditzyat50

If his job is really so bad and you could manage on your wage for 6 months it could be worth thinking about , but if you were putting in all those extra hours while he is at home you have to ask yourself would you resent him. Perhaps give it say another 3 months and then have a re-think.

smileytiger

Something i read once

" the only people who love their jobs are those that don't financially need to work & work by choice not by necessity";)