Losing a job is an extremely undesirable position to find yourself in. After all, your job provides you with an income and financial security. The wages that it provides you with are what ensure that you can keep up with rent or mortgage payments, pay your energy bills, carry out grocery shopping, and even engage with life’s little luxuries. When your position is snatched from under your feet, so is your salary, and you can quickly begin to struggle. Let’s take a moment to look at what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
Reduced Hours and Unemployment Insurance
You don’t have to completely lose your job in order to be impacted financially. Many employers will attempt to reduce your hours in order to reduce the amount of money that they have to pay you while still maintaining a level of work from you. This is unfair. If you have taken out unemployment insurance, you may be able to receive what you are owed and ensure that you don’t fall behind financially due to your employers’ decision making.
Redundancy
When you are made redundant, your employer has determined that your job or role is no longer necessary for their business’ progress or that your role is no longer profitable for them. Perhaps they are struggling financially and, upon surveying their own finances, have found that they need to let several staff members go in order to keep their company afloat. They may be closing down the branch that you are working in, they might have found that the amount they pay you comes to more than your work is earning them, or they may simply be taking their business in a different direction that no longer requires your participation. You may even find that you are being replaced by a machine that can complete the work that you do. Whatever the reason for your employer making you redundant, it’s extremely important that you know your rights. First, your employer must clearly explain why they are letting you go. If you feel that their selection of you is prejudiced, you can start a court case against them. Next, if you have been working for this individual or company for more than two years, you are entitled to a pay out. Legal aid can help you to determine whether you payout is sufficient and fair.
Being Fired
If you have been fired for misconduct of some sort and you are to blame for losing your job, you won’t be able to seek legal help. The best step to take is to get on the job hunt and scour the job market for suitable new positions as soon as possible. The faster you get back into work, the sooner you will be generating a new income.
These are just a few scenarios that you may find yourself in. Hopefully, the above information will help you to make the best decision to get back on track financially!
