Worried About Facing Redundancy?

When leaving your job - Checklist

On your last day at work you should receive your full entitlement of wages, plus payment for any outstanding period of notice that you have not worked. You should also receive:

• Accrued holiday pay
• Details of personal pension arrangements
• Income tax form P45
• References - agreed by your employer
• Redundancy pay (subject to two years continuous service)
• Letter stating date of redundancy

Money Matters

Lump Sum Payment

If you receive a lump sum payment it may include a 'Payment in Lieu of Notice' as well as a redundancy payment. This may affect your benefit entitlement. You need to think carefully about how you use your lump sum. If you have to claim benefit in the future, the Department for Work & Pensions may need to know how you spent it.

Maintenance / Child Support

If you are paying maintenance and child support through the Child Support Agency, you should ask for a re-assessment because your income has dropped. If you are paying through any other arrangement that you have made on your own, you may wish to re-negotiate.

Protecting your Pension Rights

If you have been paying into a company pension make sure you find out about your accrued rights. Advice on pension can be obtained from The Pension Advisory Service. Similarly it is advisable that you speak with someone in the Pensions Section of your Company. Do not take any action without further advice.

Rights

Redundancy payment and employement rights

If you have been made redundant, seek advice as soon as possible from your employer, union or one of the agencies detailed with this leaflet as you may be legally entitled to redundancy payments and pay in lieu of notice. For details of current rates please check with the Redundancy Payments Helpline on 0845 1450004.

Citizens advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advise to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. They offer a wide range of advice including working out which bills you should pay first, helping you to fill in benefit forms and giving you legal advice. Common enquiries include debt, fuel and housing costs, benefit claims and overpayments, employment rights, housing requirements, consumer rights and relationship problems.

Citizen Advice Bureau Witney: The Old Print House, Marlborough Lane, OX28 6DY - 01993 705691

Housing

The Council's housing service offers advice and assistance for individuals, families and landlords in the area. It is very important that if you are having difficulties with the security of your tenure, paying your rent, or mortgage that you contact them as soon as possible.

Many of the households approaching for advice and assistance are facing difficulties and we offer a wide range of help and advice on a number of housing issues including:

• Homelessness
• Difficulties with rent or mortgage
• Housing Options
• Accessing private rented accommodation

For more information call in to of the Town Centre Shops in Witney or Chipping Norton.

Council Tax & Housing Benefits

The Council's Benefits service helps people on a low income towards their rent and council tax costs.

The amount of benefit you can get is based on your income and family circumstances. You will need to supply evidence of your income, household and rent costs to work out your benefit. Any savings you have will also be taken into account. If you have more than £16,000 in savings you will probably not be eligible to claim.

To make a claim or for more information, call in to of the Town Centre Shops in Witney or Chipping Norton.

Finding Another Job

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus help people find work. As well as job vacancies, they hold information about job fairs, employer events and other events in the area. Jobcentre plus also administers a set of benefits tat you may be entitled to including Jobseekers Allowance.

NextStep

NextStep help people facing redundancy to prepare for applying for a new job. This could be a similar job or a complete career change. Their help include practical things like preparing good CVs or job applications, coaching to prepare for job interviews or help finding appropriate courses for people wanting to retrain.

Abingdon & Witney College

Abingdon & Witney College offers help to companies who would like to provide staff development opportunities for their workers who are facing redundancy. The college's Business Development Unit is offering a number of short training sessions including subjects such as updating your CV, interviewing skills and job application letter writing