Our Household lost our entire income in 24 hours..

JD2018

I just wanted to share my story and maybe be open to some advice, despite feeling as if I have exhausted every avenue now. 

On the weekend of 14th March, I was visiting family in London, this was the weekend where everything regarding Covid-19 seemed to step up a level. I returned home on March 15th and woke up for work on the morning of the 16th feeling very unwell, I followed the government advice to contact my employer and phone in sick, offering to work from home. At this point, I was desperate to get back into the office as I knew they relied on me, so said that I would try to get back into work ASAP, likely Wednesday.
On Tuesday evening, I ended up going into hospital as I felt so awful, I was diagnosed with a bad infection and it could not be ruled out if I was positive for Covid-19 as I showed some positive signs. At this point, I e-mailed my employer to let them know what was happening, I had to self-isolate, I could not put anyone else in danger. 

The next 24 hours on Wednesday 18th March is where me and my partners lives were flipped upside down.
My partner left her job of 3 years to take an exciting dream job in the travel industry, she left her job on the 13th March and had a start date for her new job March 23rd, we were concerned of the current climate and checked-in with the recruiter on Sunday 15th to make sure that all was still okay, we were re-assured at the time. Unfortunately, on Wednesday 18th the dreaded phone call came, the job offer had been retracted for the time-being, understandably they were not in a position to start new employees. My partner was now left without a job and devastated. 

A few hours later, I received a very short e-mail, the subject line caught my attention ... 'Letter of termination' "due to the recent unforeseen events relating to the global pandemic of Covid-19, we regret to inform you that we will be ending your term of employment with us". One weeks notice. No phone call, just an e-mail. I contacted the company owner and they informed me that the office had been emptied, my belongings were in boxes and would be posted out. We were now both unemployed. 

To give a bit of background, I worked at a Start-Up that were not yet generating revenue, I was one of only 2-3 employees and had only been there for 2 months. I have contacted the owner to request me to be put on Furlough, the offer was rejected. My partner has contacted her previous employer to ask if she could be re-instated as an employee and be put on Furlough pay, this request was also rejected.

So, within the space of 24 Hours, my concern went from my health and wellbeing, to how we were going to pay the rent. We are now both unemployed for the first time in our lives, Universal Credit does not cover our rent payments and there are very few realistic opportunities of finding work at the moment, however I have applied for roles to work in the NHS were I started over 10 years ago, although this still wouldn't cover our outgoings, at least it would be something. 

Businesses are refusing to use the Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme and are using it as an easy way to get rid of employees, people who have had job offers retracted are now left with nothing. There are still so many people who are falling into this grey-area. I feel that the government has done a fantastic job so far, but I don't realistically know if they will be doing any more for people like us. 

tacpot12

Your best option is to secure work somewhere. The government can only do so much to help people. Perhaps after the crisis you might look at some Income Protection insurance and to build up your level of savings.

JD2018

tacpot12 said:

Your best option is to secure work somewhere. The government can only do so much to help people. Perhaps after the crisis you might look at some Income Protection insurance and to build up your level of savings.

You’re stating the obvious a bit there. Of course I am lining up alternative employment, but at the moment, if you hadn’t noticed. The job market isn’t exactly thriving. 

I’ve a number of savings and investments, but that isn’t the point. The point here is that businesses are screwing over their employees and leaving them with no support.  

Potbellypig

JD2018 said:

tacpot12 said:

Your best option is to secure work somewhere. The government can only do so much to help people. Perhaps after the crisis you might look at some Income Protection insurance and to build up your level of savings.

You’re stating the obvious a bit there. Of course I am lining up alternative employment, but at the moment, if you hadn’t noticed. The job market isn’t exactly thriving. 

I’ve a number of savings and investments, but that isn’t the point. The point here is that businesses are screwing over their employees and leaving them with no support.  

UC and Jobseekers will be your best bet (possibly only bet) in terms of benefits. If you combine those benefits with the number of savings and investments you have, then you can work out how much you can live on them for before it really hits the fan. Sorry if that was stating the obvious. 

JD2018

Potbellypig said:

JD2018 said:

tacpot12 said:

Your best option is to secure work somewhere. The government can only do so much to help people. Perhaps after the crisis you might look at some Income Protection insurance and to build up your level of savings.

You’re stating the obvious a bit there. Of course I am lining up alternative employment, but at the moment, if you hadn’t noticed. The job market isn’t exactly thriving. 

I’ve a number of savings and investments, but that isn’t the point. The point here is that businesses are screwing over their employees and leaving them with no support.  

UC and Jobseekers will be your best bet (possibly only bet) in terms of benefits. If you combine those benefits with the number of savings and investments you have, then you can work out how much you can live on them for before it really hits the fan. Sorry if that was stating the obvious. 

Appreciate the response. I know that there is little other advice that could be given at this time. I just wanted to share my story and raise awareness of the situation many find themselves in.