Have I made a huge mistake?? Help!

Howi_2

I started a new job a little over 6 months ago after having been in a great job for nearly 4 years.

The reason I went to the new job were better pay, weekends off and better hours.


After a few months it was apparent that the job wasn't what it was sold as and I seemed to be struggling.
Had had the chat from the boss about making improvements and things went good.

I had a 6 month review where he advised me that although I had hit the targets if been given, due to cancellations I wasn't making the company enough. He gave me a month to sort this out.

A week later I have a review And he tells me it's not working out so he wants to let me go and hands me my things and goes to get my coat.
When he returns I question this and he tells me I can resign as it looks better on my cv or just go.

In a moment of madness I resigned thinking about how it looks.

The problem is I've got no savings, bills to pay and 3 kids and a wife to support.

Although there are potentially jobs on the horizon nothing is definite.

Will I be entitled to any jsa or benefits?

FBaby

I am so sorry for what you've experienced. Whatever you feel, don't beat yourself up for having decided to move jobs. You did it because you very much believed at the time that it would be for the best.

Unfortunately, resigning is not good to access benefits. All you can do is explain what you have done here to the job centre and why you made this choice. They are likely to contact your manager and if he can collaborate that you resigned in these conditions, the job centre might show some empathy. You'll have to be humble and appeal to their understanding though and still there will be no garantee they agreed that if you hadn't resigned, you would have been laid off anyway.

Good luck, I hope you do get a new job that will be much more appreciative of your skills soon.

Howi_2

Thanks for your reply.
Just so it's clear. They had already sacked me. I had a quick conversation when he came back in the room to see if I had any options and he said you can resign if you want as it looks better on cv and ill give you a reference.

It was very clear I was leaving right away so would have been out of a job what ever it was dressed up as.

justlooking2012

Resigning was absolutely the right thing to do, as you had worked there under a year he could have sacked you and he does not need to provide any reason. So by giving you the option to resign he did you a favour. Employers actually have two years to do this now but since you started six months ago that would not have applied to you.
Nothing you can do unfortunately

Howi_2

It felt like the right thing to do career wise but I'm just praying my family don't have to pay by not receiving any benefits because of this.

I was the only income source And have earned a good wage.
Unfortunately there is very little out there that can offer the same sort of income.

I get my last wage from them at the end of the month and as its only 2 weeks wage it won't cover half my outgoings .

I'm very worried

zzzLazyDaisy

justlooking2012 wrote: »

as you had worked there under a year he could have sacked you and he does not need to provide any reason. So by giving you the option to resign he did you a favour. Employers actually have two years to do this now but since you started six months ago that would not have applied to you

Just to be clear - the new 'two year rule' came in on 5th April 2012. Since OP only started 6 months ago (June?) the two years would have applied to him.

pmlindyloo

Hopefully the Job Centre Plus will be understanding of your situation but will probably get in contact with your ex employer.

It might be worth letting your ex employer know about the situation as he can tell Job Centre Plus that he would have sacked you but gave you the opportunity to resign.

Whilst you are waiting a decision from the Job Centre about your JSA (contribution based) you can apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. This is means tested. If you have no other income and savings under £16000 you can apply.

If you have a mortgage you may be eligible for Housing Costs but this does not kick in until 13 weeks.

Do you claim Tax credits? If yes, then let them know of the change of circumstances. If no, then apply.

You can model your circumstances on the calculator on www.turn2us.org.uk (click on benefits search and you will see the calculator)

If you have a mortgage then it is best to notify them of what has happened. Hopefully they will be able to help you with a 'holiday' or reduced rates.

Similarly, if you have bills that you can't pay let them know rather than ignore them.

If your wife doesn't work then could she get some work while you are at home?

Have a good read of the info. and forums on this site to find ways of reducing your expenditure. Lots of superb advice here.

Good luck with your job hunting.

rogerblack

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Hopefully the Job Centre Plus will be understanding of your situation but will probably get in contact with your ex employer.

Emphasise to JCP that your reason for resigning was to improve your future career prospects, and your chances of getting work in the future.
Starting to seek work _now_ - and keeping a record of what you've done would be a positive step.
If nothing else, you may find work, even if you are held to not have good cause.
The good cause decision can and should be appealed, if it goes badly.

princessdon

How many hours does your wife work?

skintandscared_2

princessdon wrote: »

How many hours does your wife work?

I don't think she does work - he says above that his was the only income source. The children may be too young for her to be able to work yet.

Mara69

skintandscared wrote: »

I don't think she does work - he says above that his was the only income source. The children may be too young for her to be able to work yet.

So now they both need to be looking for work, thereby doubling their chances of securing paid employment. If the OP's wife gets a job first, then he can care for the children while continuing to look for a job and vice versa.