Losing your job

[Ouch2020]

So this is a weird one. My firm have said due to Covid they are asking people to take unpaid leave of undetermined length due to Covid 19.

In my job I have to charge 6.5 hours of work per day and effectively my firm have decided the unpaid leave starts with all those not meeting the 6.5 hours as they believe those people have less work to do.

I have only just gone back to full time hours due to head injury and as such although doing full time hours I am working slower than before the injury as I am still not fully healed.

This means I am one of the ones being asked to consider unpaid leave. I have no savings due to crap pay during sick leave so it’s a bit of a worry. Especially now furlough has ended for new applications.

Seems very unfair but my head injury has apparently just cost me my job.

[Localhero]

I really feel for you. It’s hugely unfair. You had your TBI and now thanks to COVID something else that was a certainty has been taken away from you too.

I was just beginning to think about work again when all this hit. I’m self employed. For now my partner is working and supporting us both but it’s not ideal.

I think if I were already “back” and got your news, I’d immediately brush down my CV and look for something new/different. Think what else I could do. Create a variety of options to explore. Loads of us are going to be looking for work, so it’ll be far from easy, but it won’t be impossible.

Meantime you could clarify how your current situation leaves you contractually. Are you still in contract, albeit unpaid? Or have they actually made you redundant? I think you’ll need that clarity for a number of reasons: your right to any redundancy payment; your right to benefits; your own psychological clarity and mental wellbeing.

Assuming that by telling you you’re on indefinite unpaid leave, what I wouldn’t do is hang around and wait for them. I don’t think that’ll be good for you financially. It certainly won’t help your ongoing recovery either.

[New_beginning]

Check your employer's policy and your employment contract. How long you been working there?, are you part of a union. Maybe contact Scope to help you identify your rights especially under the equality Act.

I would suggest any meetings you have with yoour employer's take someone with you about this topic.

Sorry you have this extra pressure after going through so much.

[1949liz]

Hi, please check the Martin Lewis web page as I am sure they can’t do it. If your contract says you get payed for certain hours that’s what they have to pay you please don’t accept the pay cut I am sure it’s illegal. Take care Liz x🌹🙏

[cat3]

Please contact the appropriate union for whatever branch of employment you're in. For a small fee they will come to your aid immediately and advise you of your rights, how to respond and of benefit entitlements. Cat x