Redundancy

Advice
 
 You may want to find out if you're really being treated properly by your employer. If in doubt, always get help - professeional help.
 
If you're a member of a union, see your union rep first. Unions can help with legal fees if you need specialist advice, or have to go to a tribunal.
 
What about solicitiors? Some do free sessions, but most charge - and they aren't cheap. Check fees before making an appointment and shop around. Best to check out free help first.
 
You can get free advice from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau (look in your phone book under Counselling and advice for your nearest office, or find it here). They'll also help you fill in forms etc too.

In Scotland, check the 'Citizens Advice Scotland' site.

CAB have an advice website which has lots of useful information about redundancy.
 
  
 
 Claiming benefits

You may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or other benefits. 
 
These days, you can't just walz in to your local Jobcentre and 'sign on'. You must call to make an appointment on

0800 0 55 66 88

Speed is essential - call as soon as you leave your job. If you don't claim immediately, you may lose redundancy pay or benefits.
 

  
Disputes with your employer

Most employers deal fairly with their employees, but if you have a dispute with your employer you can get help from ACAS. Call the ACAS Helpline on 08457 474 747 .
  
For legal advice, try the Law Centres Federation for details for your nearest Law Centre.

Check the Community Legal Service , their helpline is: 08453 454 345.
 
Your Trade Union may also be able to offer free help and advice. To find the contact details of your union see the TUC (Trades Union Congress) site .
  
 

So you've been made redundant? Or, maybe you're preparing for the worst?
 
 Either way, you probably need some information, help, or advice. 
 
You'll find lots of all three on this page, and in the rest of this career guide.

Follow these steps:


1. deal with your emotions
 
2. know your rights
 
3. get some advice
 
4. apply for redundancy pay
 
5. claim JSA or other benefits from Jobcentre Plus
 
6. decide what you want to do with your new-found freedom
 
7. set yourself a career goal, and then take action to get it. 

Telephone numbers

ACAS - 08457 474 747
 
Community Legal Service - 08453 454 345 
  
Connexions (for under 20s) - 080 800 13 2 19
  
Consumer Credit Counselling Service - 0800 138 1111 
 
Jobcentre Plus - 0800 0 55 66 88  
  
Jobseeker Direct - 0845 6060234 
  
Learndirect - 0800 100 900
 
Redundancy Payments Service - 0845 145 0004

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Know your rights

Most people who are made redundant are entitled to: 
 
     - redundancy pay
 
     - time off to look for a new job
 
     - notice or pay instead of notice
 
     - outstanding pay
 
     - outstanding holiday pay.
 
There's more information about these in the sections below.

Redundancy pay

Whether you get redundancy pay and hw much you get depends on how long you've worked for your employer, and how old you are. 
 
 Redundancy pay should be paid by your employer. Some employers make redundancy payments which are more than that required by the law. But your employer may not be able to pay you anything if the company is going bankrupt. In that case, you must apply for it from the government.
 
The government scheme for redundancy pay is called 'Statutory Redundancy Pay'. You can find out more about this scheme here.
 
BERR has a ready reckoner to calculate your redundancy pay. You can find it here.

The organisation which deals with redundancy payments from the government is called 'The Redundancy Payments Service' (part of the Insolvency Service). There are a number of offices around the country.

You can call the service on 0845 145 0004. There is information about claiming redundancy pay from the government in the 'Guide for Employees' .

To apply for statutory redundancy pay from the government, you must complete Form RP1 .

You do not have to pay tax or National Insurance on your redundancy pay if it is under £30,000. More details are available from the HM Customs and Revenue web site.

Time off to look for work

The law says you should get time off to look for a new job.  
 
Unhelpfully, the law only says that the amount of time you should be given has to be 'reasonable'. That means you have to discuss how much time off you're going to get with your employer.
 
When you're talking to your boss, press for the maximum you can get, but don't push too hard so you end up having a huge row. Also, ask for time to update your CV, use the internet to search for jobs, and make 'phone calls on the firm's time.
  
If you can't agree or you feel the time you've been given is 'unreasonable' you'll have to get it sorted out by the courts. See the section below about disuptes with your employer.
 
However, don't anticipate problems. Most employers will give you time off and will treat you pretty well as they have to think about the effect on the people who are to carry on working for them (if any are, that is).
 

Useful links

1. DirectGov - information about all aspects of redundancy (also has information about a huge range of subjects and services provided by the Government).

2. BERR - department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

3. TUC - detailed information about redundancy from the Trades Union Congress.

4. Connexions - help and information about careers (and other subjects) if you're aged 16-19.   
 
5. Employment Rights Act 1996 . Acts are not easy to read, but use this link if you want to see it.
 
 6. DELNI - if you live in Northern Ireland see this web site.
 
7. Jobcentre Plus - call them to make an appointment to claim benefits. Also has a useful website with lots of information, and contact details.

Deal with your emotions
   
So you've worked like a dog, done everything you've been asked, worked overtime 'til your frazzled etc etc. We've all been there.
 
Now the firm who promised you the earth have turfed you out. You may feel like stapling your supervisor's nether regions to his desk.
  
On the other hand, maybe you feel just great. At last you're released from the slavery you've always loathed. You're floating on a silver-lined cloud and couldn't give a monkey's about your to do list or the endlessly ringing phones!
 
Either way, play it cool. No screaming, shouting or swearing in the office or on the shop floor. Remember these people who are getting rid of you might just hold the key to your future, eg, you may need a reference for a new job ... and who's going to give you that?

Best thing to do is to go by the book, stay calm and collected and carry on doing everything you always did until the day you leave -however much it sticks in your throat.
 
If you're boiling on the inside, take it home and let off steam there. Kick the dog, throw the cat out of the window, strangle the budgie (or don't - you might get arrested for cruelty to animals).
 
Better still, sit down and write your boss a letter. Include as many expletives as you like. Get it word perfect, print it out, read it over a dozen times... then rip it up. Follow it up with a G & T, or your favourite tipple.
 
Feel better now? Well even if you don't, you'd better get over it because when your salary dries up you'll still have to pay the bills. 
   
That may sound cruel, but moping around after redundancy is just the worst thing you can do. What matters now is you and your family.
 
Talk to someone about how you feel. A friend or a coach can help you over the worst and refocus your energy on the future.
 
 Ultimately, you have to take action. The sooner you do that, the sooner your life will get back to some kind of normality and the more likely you'll keep the bailiffs from the doorstep.

Get your finger out ...
  
When you've been made redundant, don't hang about moping. Get on with dealing with the paperwork etc, and take action to get yourself a new job or something different to do with your life.
 
Speed is crucial - for some things there are time limits, delay and you can lose cash - YOUR CASH!

Things to try before leaving your job
   
If you're working out your notice, try some or all of the following:
  
1. Stationery - ask your employer for some stationery: paper, envelopes, folders, stamps - a 'job hunting kit' if you like. Stationery can eat a big hole in your budget, so be brave and ask!
 
2. Mobile - if your mobile is owned by your company, ask if you can have it - or buy it from them. Be cheeky and ask for some credit to be put on it too.
 
3. Laptop - as with your mobile, ask if you can keep your laptop. If you have a company car, your employer may be interested in selling that to you too. Remember: if you don't ask, you won't get.
 
4. Training - ask your employer to pay for a course or two to give you some new skills, or improve existing ones.
 
5. Support - set up a support network with other people who are being made reundant. Arrange to meet or call each other regularly to discuss job prospects, check each others CVs, do mock interviews, etc.
 
6. Reference - make sure you know who will be responsible for giving you a reference. And ask other people in the organisation for a testimonial if you think that might be useful in your job-hunting.
 
7. Networking - before you leave, get as many contact details as you can for your colleagues and workmates. Keep in touch in the future to get help with finding a new job. Make sure everyone knows you're leaving, and ask if they know of any job vacancies.
 
8. Budgeting - work out your finances. Even a large sum of redundancy pay may not last very long. Know how much you're spending, make adjustments, and plan for the future. If you're in serious debt, get some help from Citizens Advice or the Consumer Credit Counselling service.
  
9. Home office - applying for jobs takes up a huge amount of time and you need a quiet place where you can work. If you don't have a separate home office, set up a makeshift one in a spare bedroom - even if it's at a relative's house.
 
10. Tell everyone - make sure everyone you know is aware that you've been made redundant. Friends and relatives can be really helpful at times like these, and can give you lots of leads about job vacancies etc.
 
11. Update your CV - if you're looking for a new job, rework your CV. Remember to tailor it for each job you apply for.
 
12. Portfolio - if you have a creative job (like graphic design) you may need samples of your work. Allow plenty of time to do it right and get it online too.

Your future ...
   
Once you've got the basics in hand for redundancy pay etc, it's time to consider what you're going to do with the rest of your life. 
 
Decide what you really want to do, make a plan about how you're going to get it, and then take action.
 
Most people have the following options:
 
 1. Get a new, similar job - possibly the fastest option, but depends on the line of work. If lots of people have been made redundant from the same kind of job in your area, it might not be a good option.
 
2. Change career - more people change careers these days, and it can change your life for the better. But it can take time and you may need training to get new skills.
 
3. Retire - only really an option if you're close to retirement age. Even so, it requires planning and thought. Work out your finances carefully.
 
4. Start your own business - a tempting option, but involves tons of hard work and time to get going. Careful planning is essential to give you the best chance of success. Get lots of advice.
 
5. Take a break - if you have cash in the bank, you could think about having some time off to refresh your spirits, travel, write a book, or just spend some time with family. Sounds great, but keep an eye on your finances, and remember it might be difficult to get back into work later if you need to.

 


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