date: 15 December 2008
embargo: 00.01hrs Tuesday 16 December 2008
New TUC advice for workers facing redundancy
The TUC has today (Tuesday) launched a comprehensive package of advice for workers who have been made redundant, or are at risk of redundancy or of losing their homes due to the economic downturn.
The package includes two new free booklets – Coping with the Economic Downturn and Facing Redundancy – as well as updated information about redundancies, how to use JobCentre Plus, how to look for a new job, and what training and benefits individuals are entitled to on www.worksmart.org.uk, the TUC’s website for people at work.
Facing Redundancy is the newest addition to the TUC’s Know Your Rights series of leaflets and can be downloaded or ordered for free. It contains a comprehensive guide to the law on redundancy, redundancy pay, employers’ duties to consult and to select the person being made redundant in a fair and open manner. It also provides information on how to claim Job Seeker's Allowance.
Coping with the Economic Downturn is written by the TUC with input from Citizens Advice (CAB) and tackles: what to do if you are faced with redundancy; making sure you claim the right benefits; dealing with debt and rising prices; accessing work, skills and training; and a section on where to turn for further help and advice.
The TUC’s world of work website workSMART (www.worksmart.org.uk) not only has downloads of both leaflets, but also contains questions and answers on all aspects of redundancy.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “With unemployment due to exceed two million and possibly hit three, more than 1,500 people a week are losing their jobs. Many will be facing redundancy and unemployment for the first time in their lives.
“But these are not the only victims of recession. Many others are losing pay as they lose overtime or face lay-offs. Millions more fear unemployment as benefits set at levels designed to deter ‘scroungers’ are way below what most people need to pay back debts and meet regular outgoings. All these are reasons why now, more than ever, people should consider joining a union.
“Unions are experts at handling the threat of redundancy, and can often win the argument for alternatives or at least negotiate a package better than the legal minimum.
“But these guides make union advice on redundancy available to all, and we are delighted to have produced a wider guide with Citizens Advice on dealing with the downturn that combines union expertise on redundancy with CAB expertise on debt, benefits and consumer issues.”
Citizens Advice Head of Communications Nigel Shattock said: “The current credit crunch, rising food and fuel costs and the increasing likeliness of recession are resulting in more people needing help and advice from the CAB service over money, benefits, employment, mortgage and redundancy problems.
“This leaflet is an excellent sign-posting and self-help tool for those who are worried about their employment prospects, at risk of redundancy or have recently lost their jobs.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Both leaflets can be downloaded for free at http://www.worksmart.org.uk/career/viewsubsection.php?sun=35 and hard copies are available to the public from the TUC publications office on 020 7467 1294.
- Facing Redundancy is also available from the TUC’s Know Your Rights Line on 0870 600 4882 (national rate, daily 8am-10pm). The TUC Know Your Rights Line offers information leaflets to callers on a wide range of workplace issues including working time, home-working, agency working, maternity and paternity leave, discrimination and health and safety. It also advises callers which union they should join.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Register for the TUC’s press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre?embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet
Contacts:
TUC media enquiries:
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Citizens Advice media enquiries:
Catherine Torazzo T: 020 7833 7178 E: Catherine.torazzo@citizensadvice.org.uk
Press release (700 words) issued 16 Dec 2008
