If you have been made redundant then it’s only natural to be rather stressed and worried.
Redundancy is a big deal, especially if you liked your old job. Change can be scary even when it’s planned, and an unexpected job loss can leave you struggling to pay your bills.
For any legal questions surrounding redundancy, contact DPH Legal.
If you qualify for a payment as a result of your redundancy then that will help you to get by until you find a new job. You should still make sure that you are getting everything that you are entitled to.
Seek Advice Immediately
Once you are aware that you are being redundant, the first thing that you need to do is check your employment contract.
Find out how much notice you are entitled to, and what pay you are entitled to. The law says that employees are entitled to notice based on the length of time that they have been working for a company.
The longer you have been with the company, the more notice you can expect.
If you have been working with a company for at least two years, then you are entitled to redundancy pay, which again, is calculated based on how long you have been with the company.
Talk to the Citizens Advice Bureau if you don’t understand your employment contract or if you have any questions.
Start Job Hunting
Once you know you have been made redundant you should start job hunting.
If you find a job quickly, use the redundancy payment to boost your pension.
If you are struggling to find a new job then you may need to make your payment last. Don’t forget to apply for benefits.
There are both means-tested and contributions-based benefits available for people who are out of work.
Your mortgage/rent and council tax should be your primary concerns while you are out of work. There are other benefits that you might be able to get, depending on your income and savings, to help with those things.
The good thing about redundancy is that it means that you can present your job change in a positive light.
You have proven that you can stay with a company for a long time so you’re a reliable and respected worker. It’s easier to find a job when you have a job, or if you’re leaving on good terms like this, than if you’re unemployed and it’s a less positive reason.
Who knows what the future will hold when you start job hunting?
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as formal legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Specific legal advice should be sort tailored to the individual circumstances in all cases.
David Philip Harris is a recognised employment solicitor with over 10 years of experience in advising employees and employers on employment law matters. He is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio Berkshire and People Management Magazine. David has represented individual and corporate clients in the employment tribunal as well as the High Court and County Court. David is a member of The Law Society and The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA UK). To contact David, visit the Contact Us page. For media enquiries: info@dphlegal.com.