Losing your job is stressful at the best of times, so it’s important you understand your rights and how to get help.
Your employer must treat you fairly and follow certain procedures.
It’s important you understand the process, what alternatives you have and where you can get help and advice if you need it.
If you are going to be made redundant, you’re entitled to a minimum notice period. This depends on how long you’ve been employed there
And you might also be entitled to time off to look for work.
If you’ve been an employee at a company for at least two years, then you’re entitled to Statutory Redundancy Pay.
You might also be entitled to more money through contractual redundancy pay, if this is written in your contract, even if you’ve worked there for less than two years.
If you work on a casual or temporary basis, are an agency worker, or work on a zero hours contact you probably won’t qualify for redundancy pay.
So it’s important you check your employment status.
If you’ve lost your job, you might be able to claim benefits, like Jobseekers Allowance, while you’re looking for new employment and Universal Credit to help pay for things like housing.
But don’t delay claiming, because you’ll also get National Insurance Credits to protect your State Pension.
It’s important to work out a new budget to make sure you can cover your essential costs.
And think carefully about how you use any redundancy pay you receive.
Find your way forward with MoneyHelper.
For more information visit moneyhelper.org.uk/way-forward
