Careers centre
Unemployment
One door closes, another opens…
Whether you’ve been expecting it or not, unemployment can often come as a real shock to the system. As well as an emotional rollercoaster, there’s a practical element to your situation that’ll need to be sorted out, too. You may want to take the following information into account.
Claiming benefits
If you’re unemployed, you have a right to claim Job Seeker’s Allowance. Don’t be shy: doing so is of vital importance, as it will keep your National Insurance contributions being paid in.
- Contributions-based JSA (based on previous contributions to the welfare system) lasts for six months.
- Income-based JSA is based on income and savings.
- You can put in a claim online and will be invited to an interview with your local Jobcentre Plus soon afterwards.
Redundancy payments
- You’re eligible if you’ve been in the same company for two or more years.
- You are entitled to roughly one week’s salary for every year of employment. If in doubt, try the redundancy payment calculator here.
- Your employer must give notice of your redundancy. Adequate notice is one week if you’ve been working in the company for up to two years, and after that one week/every year (up to twelve weeks in total).
Fair dismissal?
- Dismissal must be for a “valid reason” (www.gov.uk) and follow standard company procedure.
- Unfair dismissal may occur after:
• A petition for more flexible working hours or maternity/paternity/adoption leave
• Refusal to give up your rights
• Whistleblowing
• Forced retirement
- You should report unfair dismissal within three months of being dismissed.
- Constructive dismissal occurs when your employer’s bad behaviour forces you to leave (ignoring workplace harassment, failure to pay salary etc.).
• You should leave your post immediately, or your employer may argue that you have accepted the proposed working conditions
If speaking to your employer can’t resolve any issues, challenge them at an employment tribunal.
Whether you’ve been expecting it or not, unemployment can often come as a real shock to the system. As well as an emotional rollercoaster, there’s a practical element to your situation that’ll need to be sorted out, too. You may want to take the following information into account.
Claiming benefits
If you’re unemployed, you have a right to claim Job Seeker’s Allowance. Don’t be shy: doing so is of vital importance, as it will keep your National Insurance contributions being paid in.
- Contributions-based JSA (based on previous contributions to the welfare system) lasts for six months.
- Income-based JSA is based on income and savings.
- You can put in a claim online and will be invited to an interview with your local Jobcentre Plus soon afterwards.
Redundancy payments
- You’re eligible if you’ve been in the same company for two or more years.
- You are entitled to roughly one week’s salary for every year of employment. If in doubt, try the redundancy payment calculator here.
- Your employer must give notice of your redundancy. Adequate notice is one week if you’ve been working in the company for up to two years, and after that one week/every year (up to twelve weeks in total).
Fair dismissal?
- Dismissal must be for a “valid reason” (www.gov.uk) and follow standard company procedure.
- Unfair dismissal may occur after:
• A petition for more flexible working hours or maternity/paternity/adoption leave
• Refusal to give up your rights
• Whistleblowing
• Forced retirement
- You should report unfair dismissal within three months of being dismissed.
- Constructive dismissal occurs when your employer’s bad behaviour forces you to leave (ignoring workplace harassment, failure to pay salary etc.).
• You should leave your post immediately, or your employer may argue that you have accepted the proposed working conditions
If speaking to your employer can’t resolve any issues, challenge them at an employment tribunal.
