There are a few practical steps you can take to help put you in the right mind-set. If you’ve been made redundant, make sure you remain open to taking advice to ensure that you are being treated reasonably fairly.

This does not mean getting caught up in a fight with your employer or arguing about why it is your job that is being cut. Both of these things would be a waste of time and would probably just distract you from the more productive steps you need to take to move forward. With that said, it is however very important that you ensure that you understand everything about the process you’re going through.

Be sure you know your legal rights and protections under law. Things such as how you should be treated, the notice period you’ll be given, and whether you’ll receive a redundancy payment are all things you need to know.

1. If you’re a member, your union representative or professional body might be able to provide assistance with appropriate procedures.
2. Ensure you receive all contractual details in writing.
3. Pay attention to the impact of redundancy on your life-style and your financial situation, as well as your career options. Calculate how long you will be able to afford to live on your savings, redundancy payment and any other income you receive.
4. Find out if your employer can provide help in order to assist you for another role. For example, a resume review, mock interview assistance, or introductions to agencies or other employers.
5. If applicable, see if there are any benefits you might retain if you are a member of an employer pension scheme.
6. If you are likely to want to change careers or industries due to redundancy, think about taking a career test or getting professional careers advice to help you find the right career.
7. Organise yourself for job search and collect the information you will need to rewrite your CV, including details of recent work duties and training.
8. Create a list of what you need to spend each month on essentials and create a budget for the next 6 months if possible.
9. Find out what state benefits you may be entitled to.
10. If you receive a redundancy payment, get professional financial advice, and think about saving it in an account that can be easily accessed until your financial position and further employment are secure again.
11. Cut back on unnecessary spending. Don’t cut back on spending that is essential for travel and other expenses required to job search and go to interviews.

Finally, remember not to panic as many other people have travelled this way and survived redundancy before. It’s quite possible that you will end up in a better position at the other end of the experience.

Actons Solicitors offer professional advice for those affected by redundancy. Request a call back from Mark, Head of Employment Law today!

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Before you make a formal complaint against your employer for unfair dismissal you should attempt to resolve the reasons behind your dismissal first.

If an appeal is not successful then you may well be able to make an appeal to the Work Place Relation Commission. This again involves going through a conciliation service where a representative will aim to work through your issues listening to both parties. It is important to keep copies of any letters sent or received and maintain a folder filled with any meeting minutes and details of telephone discussions.

When looking for a new job you might be eligible for job seekers allowance amongst other benefits such as housing benefit and council tax benefits.

If you wish to make a claim through an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal it is usually required that you have completed one year’s service first. This does not apply if you were laid off for an unfair reason. You can make a claim no matter how long you have been working there.

Some reasons why an unfair dismissal case cannot be filed are;

• If you are a worker (not classed as an employee).
• If you are a member of the armed forces.
• If you are self-employed or working for an agency.
• If you are a member of the police services.

If you manage to reach a compromise with your employer where you decide not to follow through on an unfair dismissal case, then you will be banned from making a complaint in an employment tribunal.

In unfair dismissal cases, you are only eligible to make a claim within three months of being dismissed. It is up to you to provide evidence that you have been dismissed unfairly. This can be more difficult if you are claiming to have been unfairly dismissed due to constructive dismissal.

If the employment tribunal agrees that you were treated unfairly then you will be awarded compensation or on some occasions given the opportunity to return to your previous job.

The compensation is intended to reinstate you to your financial position had you not been dismissed.

An Employment Tribunal may reduce your compensation if it decides that your conduct played a part in your dismissal

It is always best to get advice from a qualified lawyer. So contact Mark Doyle, the Head of Employment Law at Actons Solicitors for advice in Employment Law.

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