Verbally made redundant, off work with stress and lupus, no pay received this month

**coffee** · #1 (**permalink**) 30-11-2008, 10:43

I was verbally told that I was being made redundant about 6 weeks ago. However the same evening I became ill, physically throwing up. I also suffer with Lupus and at the moment my hair is falling out considerably. My doctor has now signed me off until 4th Dec 2008 as I am so depressed and emotional. I had sent medical certs to employer but have had no response. I was suppose to be paid Friday but have not received any monies from employer! I sent a grievance in stating 1. had not recieved notice of redundancy or redundancy package, 2. have not received any letter terminating my employment so I am still employed by them. 3. I have never been invited in for a consultation meeting regarding the redundancy issues or to discuss my time off sick with depression and lupus and 4. I had not recieved any salary this month. I have given them until 9 Dec to respond and said if they did not I shall assume that I am expected to return to work and await confirmation of this and the date they want me to return. I am so annoyed because I cannot even go to the Benefits Agency to get my rent and council tax paid because I have no proof that I am now unemployed and did not receieve any salary this month. What else can I do? I am so distraught with worry because I have all my bills to pay and jobs are so hard to come by due the recession and worse Xmas is around the corner. I have been employed for 2.5 years and PA to Finance Director and 2 MDs. We merged with solicitors in April 08 who already had 3 PAs and I was always concerned about that! I DESPERATELY NEED ADVICE, PLEASE HELP - thanks in advance.

**DPS Computing** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 18:31

Hmm that is a really tough one. The only thing that I can think of you doing is keep pushing your employer. If they have not paid you / made you redundant in the proper manner you could consider taking them to an employment tribunal.

If you resign, you can't claim benefits for 6 weeks I think anyway so that wouldn't help the situation. Have you tried ringing your employer to talk to a manager about any of this?

Hope that helps

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**eUKhost.com** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 21:51

Situation is really bad with some employers right now. I'm not sure if you should take any legal action on them, but you will loose more than what you can gain from legal action in such matters.

English solicitors don't work with post paid payment arrangement.

**DPS Computing** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 22:16

Ah yes, but an employment tribunal doesn't have the same costs associated with it as a legal court battle as far as I'm aware.

I think if it carried on without explanation and you wern't getting paid you have effectively been dismissed so I think you would probably have grounds for unfair dismissal?

**Ben** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

Ah yes, but an employment tribunal doesn't have the same costs associated with it as a legal court battle as far as I'm aware.

I think if it carried on without explanation and you wern't getting paid you have effectively been dismissed so I think you would probably have grounds for unfair dismissal?

yep but apparently tribunal takes such a long time - its worth a go if employer isn't cooperating with you with unpaid wages.

also check here for information about redundancy and what employers are legally expected to do if they need to resort to such action: Redundancy and leaving your job : Directgov - Employment

**Brian** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:22

I think if you dig deep enough the employee is not as protected as people would like to think we are. At the end of the day we are a piece of garbage than an employer can chew up and spit out. Just exactly what my employer is doing to me. Take it on the chin is the best you can do.

**DPS Computing** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I think if you dig deep enough the employee is not as protected as people would like to think we are. At the end of the day we are a piece of garbage than an employer can chew up and spit out. Just exactly what my employer is doing to me. Take it on the chin is the best you can do.

And then in true American style - sue them to death!

**Brian** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 15:42

I wish, cases like that are pretty hard to win.
Ireland and England is a suing nation to. Makes me sick sometimes.

**Ben** · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I wish, cases like that are pretty hard to win.
Ireland and England is a suing nation to. Makes me sick sometimes.

LOL!! That is such a misconstrued comment

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**DPS Computing** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I wish, cases like that are pretty hard to win.
Ireland and England is a suing nation to. Makes me sick sometimes.

The US are more sue happy than the UK.

I mean, sueing McDonalds for making you fat? And cigarette companies for giving you cancer? Please!

**Ben** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

The US are more sue happy than the UK.

I mean, sueing McDonalds for making you fat? And cigarette companies for giving you cancer? Please!

ok, suing MacDonalds for making you fat is 'understandable' (but stupid

) but suing someone because a coffee cup was hot is just stupid on its own

**flesso** · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

ok, suing MacDonalds for making you fat is 'understandable' (but stupid

) but suing someone because a coffee cup was hot is just stupid on its own

Well in the case, how does Mark cope when his USB coffee warmers make his multiple cups of coffee too hot?

**DPS Computing** · #13 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by flesso

Well in the case, how does Mark cope when his USB coffee warmers make his multiple cups of coffee too hot?

Good point! Maybe Mark should sue them for not having adequate temperature monitoring controls

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**coffee** · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:39

Thanks for the advice David

However, I think the Grievance I sent into my employers on Friday shook them up as
on Monday I received my regular salary plus a redundancy pay so I am happy

. Thanks again for your advice

**DPS Computing** · #15 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee

Thanks for the advice David

However, I think the Grievance I sent into my employers on Friday shook them up as
on Monday I received my regular salary plus a redundancy pay so I am happy

. Thanks again for your advice

No problem. And I'm glad to hear it! Its still not so good about you being made redundant but at least it has been done in the right way now

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