1. Looking for new opportunities
Redundancy may mean a time to take a break and enjoy the slower pace of life for a while – but it’s not for everyone.If you still want or need to work after you’ve lost your job, your first step sees you speaking to your local Jobcentre. Ask for its Rapid Response Service. This department specialises in getting you back into work after redundancy.
As part of this service, you’ll be offered help writing a new CV, learning new skills, and finding new jobs and training. The Rapid Response team also can tell you whether you’re able to get financial assistance for childcare, travel expenses, training, and tools or equipment.
This is particularly helpful if you were in the same job for a long time, and perhaps haven’t looked at other options.
You can contact the Rapid Response Service up to 13 weeks after your redundancy.
Once you have an up-to-date CV, sign up for employment sites like Indeed, Reed, LinkedIn, and Monster. When using these sites, make sure to search job titles synonymous with your own. Your former job title may not be what other companies call what amounts to the same role.
It may also be beneficial to sign up to the government’s National Careers Service – especially if you think it’s time to switch careers.
2. Sort out your finances
There’s no avoiding it: redundancy equals money worries.Firstly, make a budget that reflects your new income (and outgoings). Having this sort of overview will be helpful to managing your funds.
Be sure to check your state benefits entitlement. You could be eligible for Universal Credit, housing benefit, and tax credits depending on your circumstances. That will, at least, provide some financial relief.
If you own your own home, take a look at your mortgage payment protection insurance – it may cover you against redundancy. If you’re a private tenant, meanwhile, talk to your landlord to see whether you can reach an agreement and get it in writing.
When managing debts, you might find it helpful to discuss your situation with StepChange. The debt advice charity helps you ‘get your finances back on track’, and any advice is tailored to support your individual circumstances.
Speak to an independent financial advisor, too. They’ll be able to offer advice on managing your money, including placing part of your redundancy pay into high-interest savings accounts to make your money work for you.
3. Challenge your redundancy
Just because you’ve been made redundant doesn’t mean you have to accept it.If you believe you’ve been unfairly selected for redundancy or the process was improperly followed, you might be able to make a redundancy claim.
As with any workplace dispute, you should first try to resolve the issue with your employer. You should’ve already been informed of your decision to appeal the redundancy. If you still lose your job after your appeal, consider chatting to employment solicitors. They’ll be able to expertly guide you through your legal options.
Find out more in ‘Can I make a redundancy claim?’
The claim process first sees you inform ACAS, which offers ‘employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice’. As part of its mission to help resolve workplace disputes, you and your employer will be offered mediation known as early conciliation.
Early conciliation could help sort the matter without taking your case to an employment tribunal. However, if no legally binding agreement can be made between both parties, ACAS will permit you to take proper legal action.
At this stage, if you haven’t already spoken to a solicitor, do so now.
To make a claim, you must do it within three months (minus one day) from the date of your redundancy.
4. Claim for redundancy pay
In most circumstances, your employer should have already paid any due redundancy, notice period, and annual leave pay.Remember, you’ll be eligible for redundancy pay if you’ve worked for the business for two or more years. Statutory notice pay is available when you’ve been with the company for a month or more.
If the company you worked for is insolvent, you’ll be able to claim for any money due through the government’s Insolvency Service. They recommend using their redundancy pay calculator to find out how much you can claim.
You only have six months from the date of your redundancy to claim from the Insolvency Service.
If your employer won’t pay what you’re owed – but isn’t insolvent – then you’ll likely need to take legal action via an employment tribunal. An employment solicitor will be able to advise. This process will be the same as challenging your redundancy.
As with any redundancy dispute, you have three months minus a day to make a claim for redundancy pay.
When you dispute your redundancy or can’t get the money you’re owed, The Law Superstore can help. Our quick quote form connects you with employment solicitors who can help you make a redundancy claim.
What are the 5 stages of redundancy?
Redundancy is a challenging process, both for employers and employees. It typically involves five key stages: consultation, selection, notice, redundancy pay, and support for finding new employment. Understanding these stages can help individuals navigate the redundancy process more effectively.
How does redundancy work?
Redundancy occurs when an employer needs to reduce their workforce, often due to financial constraints, organisational restructuring, or changes in the nature of the business. The process involves identifying roles that are no longer required, consulting with the affected employees, and providing them with notice and redundancy pay, if eligible.
What are the redundancy steps?
The redundancy steps are a series of actions taken during the redundancy process. These include identifying the need for redundancies, consulting with employees, selecting employees for redundancy based on fair criteria, giving notice, calculating and issuing redundancy pay, and providing support for future employment.
What are the three R's of redundancy?
The three R's of redundancy refer to the crucial aspects of the redundancy process: Redundancy, Reemployment, and Rights. 'Redundancy' involves the termination of employment due to job elimination. 'Reemployment' focuses on assisting redundant employees in finding new jobs. 'Rights' pertain to the legal entitlements of employees during the redundancy process, including notice periods and redundancy pay.