Resigned from job just before Corona hit

[CrazylazyJane]

Apologies if this should be in the employment section. However, it is Corona related. And sorry, it may be long!

I seem to have landed in 'the perfect storm'. DP and I were due to emigrate overseas at the end of April. I gave notice on my job (teacher so a terms notice) and my replacement has been recruited. All lovely, fine, great!

However, now our flights have been cancelled, the boarders to the country we were going to have closed and I no longer have a job to go to in my new country. We're stuck in the UK with no jobs, have given notice on our flat... not to mention having invested a lot of money in the big move.

So, is there any financial help I can access? I'm not self employed and as far as I can tell, I am not entitled to benefits as I resigned from my job.

I thought about asking my old school if I could stay on the payroll (independent, so not local authority, officially employed until the end of the Easter holidays) and therefore qualify for the 80% wage relief, if my school apply for it. However, I doubt my school will allow me to stay on the payroll. I have said that I am willing to be one of the staff who comes in to school to look after key worker children and can carry on setting work for my class - how is my replacement going to know what to set? She's never met my class. I feel utterly snookered by the situation. Any advice?

[unhappyclap]

I heard on the news yesterday that if you have been on payroll as of 28th Feb then this 80% will apply to you. When did you leave?

[VadenuRewetje]

I should think that if you are healthy and willing to work then a lot of schools will be happy to take you on to assist with teaching the children of key workers and managing online teaching for students working at home. Contact your old school first and let them know you are ready, willing and able to work for them but if they don't want you please let you know ASAP as you will be offering your services to other schools nearby if they don't.

A lot of schools are going to be struggling to cope given how long the list of essential workers is, and how many teachers are in vulnerable groups and need to be self-isolating. If they have any sense your old school will take you back like a shot.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@unhappyclap that help is for people whose employer has no work for them and would have to let them go otherwise, it won’t apply to teachers who resigned their jobs by choice

[BuffaloCauliflower]

A school wouldn’t be having to let you go due to lack of work though, that wage relief will not apply. You could try and get your job back or another but I’m afraid that’s probably it

[unhappyclap]

@BuffaloCaulifower i see.. in that case maybe get on to Morissons, Ocado, Tesco or online work. Such a hard situation to be in, sorry OP.

If the replacement is due to start then I'm sure that the other teachers will point them in the right direction with this, it could well be that they delay new starters. A friend who works at Arcadi has said that new starters will start 1st Sept at the very earliest, so this may apply to other industries too.

It would be easier to bring you back than to show someone new the steps.

[CrazylazyJane]

Thanks for your replies. On further reading I don't think my school can apply for the 80% wage thing as they haven't laid people off. The annoying thing is that my colleagues will be on full pay whilst the schools are shut. After 7 years in my job, I feel a bit cheated 😠
Ho-hum I guess I'm not the only one in a pickle. I may look at supermarket jobs, as a lot of my colleagues have 'volunteered' to teach the key worker kids. The school will probably get the people they're already paying, in to work before the extra outlay of paying me on top. I've let the school know that I am ready, willing and able to work, so fingers crossed.

[unhappyclap]

All the best OP!

[Ribrabrob]

Wow I’m in pretty much the same boat, except I work in the aviation industry. Was due to move to relocated to Kuwait on Monday, but nope... they closed the airport on the Friday!

No advice I’m afraid just wanted to say you’re not alone. It’s crap isn’t it?

[ChateauMargaux]

Do ask at your school though. They might be able to find a way.

[Wheret0n0w]

OP @CrazylazyJane please check Martin Lewis Coronavirus special on ITV. You should get the furlough payments.

Good luck

[CrazylazyJane]

@Wheret0n0w Thank you. I saw the Martin Lewis thing as well. I emailed my school. They're not convinced I qualify. I'm convinced from watching Martin Lewis (and reading more on his website), that I am.

We'll see

[Wheret0n0w]

@CrazylazyJane hope you are ok. Did you get a response from your school? Hope you are ok.