Redundancy and Finding Work

Redundancy can be a very stressful time, especially if you do not know what to do next. There is, however, help at hand. This guide explains the organisations that are here to help; whatever your concerns.

You may also want to visit the Real Help Now section of the Directgov website for more information on these issues.

When leaving your job

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

• Accrued holiday pay
• Details of your 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, 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 a lump sum. If you have to claim benefits in the future, the Department for Work and Pensions may need to know how you spent it.

Visit the Department for Work and Pensions website for more information.

Maintenance/child support

If you are paying maintenance / 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.

Visit the Child Support Agency website for more information.

Protecting your pension rights

If you have been paying into a company pension, make sure you find out about your accrued rights. Advice on pensions can be obtained from The Pensions Advisory Service.

Similarly it is advisable that you speak to someone in the Pensions Section of your Company. Do not take any action without further advice.

Visit The Pensions Advisory Service website for more information.

Redundancy payment and employment rights

If you have been made redundant, seek advice as soon as possible from your employer, union or one of the agencies on this page as you may be legally entitled to redundancy payments and pay in lieu of notice.

For details more details, visit the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website.

Help and advice

Visit our Advice Centres page for information about the Citizens' Advice Bureau and other local advice centres.

Housing

Our Housing Options service offers advice and assistance for individuals and families. It is very important that if you are worried about keeping your home, having difficulty paying your rent or mortgage that you contact us as soon as possible.

You can gain help and advice on housing issues such as:

• avoiding homelessness
• managing difficulties with rent or mortgage
• your housing options
• getting private rented accommodation

Help with Rent and Council Tax

Our Benefits service helps people on a low income, by making payments towards their rent and council tax costs.

Visit our Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for full details. 

Finding another job

Job Centre Plus

Jobcentre Plus is a part of the Department for Work and Pensions and can help if you are:

• Out of work and looking for a job
• Can't work at the moment, or need financial help.

You can find:

• information about alternative jobs and known vacancies
• help to write a c.v.
• help with your job search skills
• general information about benefits and making claims

Visit the Jobcentre Plus website for more information.

Alternatively, you can visit one of Oxford's local Jobcentre Plus offices or visit the Job seekers page of the Directgov website for more information on finding a job:

Nextstep

Nextstep helps people facing redundancy to prepare for applying for a new job. This could be a similar job or a complete career change. Help includes practical things like preparing good CVs or job applications, coaching to prepare for job interviews or help finding appropriate courses to help you to retrain.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College offers help to companies who would like to provide staff development opportunities for their workers who are facing redundancy. The college can offer short training sessions on updating your CV, job application writing and interviewing skills. The college can also offer English language courses (ESOL) for migrant workers.

Setting up your own business

Oxfordshire Business Enterprises

Oxfordshire Business Enterprises (OBE) can provide you with an experienced business mentor to provide free advice on all aspects of starting and running your own business.  Support is available as early as when you are thinking of starting, through the start-up phase and/or during the first few years of operation.

OBE can help you, for example, to look at:

• Your initial ideas and check their viability
• What type of company to set up (i.e. limited company, sole trader, etc.)
• Preparation or review of your business plan
• Pricing
• Market research and marketing
• Matters specific to your business
• Establishing an action plan

A one-to-one meeting can be arranged for you at a local venue - such as Banbury, Bicester or Oxford. 

Visit the Oxfordshire Business Enterprises website for more details.

Business Link

Business Link is the Government funded organisation helping businesses. Whether you're starting up in business for the first time, already running a business, or looking to grow and develop, Business Link can offer free help to:

• Manage your finances
• Employ people
• Find and keep customers
• Pay the correct tax
• Comply with environmental legislation
• Trade internationally
• Understand regulations in your sector
• Find events and support near you

Business Link runs free workshops for people thinking about setting up a business or working for themselves. Topics covered include the pros and cons of running a business, business planning, finance, sales and marketing.

Visit the Business Link South East website for full details. 

Contact Us

For more help and advice, please contact us using the details on the right of this page.

Page last reviewed 4 July 2011