OH lost his job today what can we do now?

[MrsHunterx]

I feel so gutted for him even though he says he's not to bothered. He's only been there for four weeks he took yesterday of to take me to the hospital because I was bleeding (36 weeks pregnant) and this morning they have sacked him.

We have about £6000 in savings and 300 in our current account I feel silly saying things are tight but our savings have never been so low.

Are we entitled to any benefits because we have savings? He wants to hold of getting another job until dd is here so he can spend time with her.

Any advice would be appreciated x

If they dismissed your husband purely because he took time off yesterday to support you, they may be in breach of the Equality Act as it is indirect discrimination on the grounds of your pregnancy. It's not up to him to prove they discriminated, it's up to them to disprove it. It might be worth contacting Citizens' Advice about that.

That’s not the reason that’s been given for the dismissal. Would be amazed if there was any evidence that it was linked in any way.

@MrsHunterx, what was the outcome of the Hospital trip? Are you ok?

Hi honey, sorry this has happened to your family 💔 It also sounds like you are having a difficult pregnancy and could do without the added stress. Your Dh must try to find a new job immediately. I know you wanted him to be at home with you and the baby but needs must. Any possibility of borrowing money from family if you all get really pinched?

Titty yes i know. Expressed myself poorly.

Also, I think you both need to sit down and work out exactly what your outgoings are and work out how long the savings are going to last. It’s going to be a long slog to replace the savings too.

Is DS in school? Have you got his uniform yet? In our area there’s a good uniform exchange.

He's upset, he's doing the brave 'not bothered, I can enjoy time with the baby' thing.
It's only just happened.
I'm sure once you've both sat down properly and looked at the finances (or lack of) you'll come to the conclusion that he needs to be looking as soon as he can.

Definitely claim now in case it stretches out further. Also sign up for agency temps - he could say that he just wants short term stuff until after baby comes. In terms of food now he is home can he take on some of the planning and preparation? If he is into the routine of that when the baby comes it will be useful. Deciding a meal plan can help you to focus on what to have even if you sometimes deviate if inspired by something else or you see something discounted.

www.entitledto.co.uk/

Couldn’t he take holiday when the baby arrives if he gets a new job?

Has he tried Jaguar Landrover? They’re close by and always looking for people

@JiltedJohnsJulie they couldn't find anything I was having mild contractions but they stopped so they let me go home. but my mucus plug came away this morning so maybe baby is on her way!

Ds is two he was due to start nursery in two weeks but we won't be able to afford it now.

He left jaguar Land Rover for Aston Martin @amymel2016

I would have thought you would be entitled to housing benefit?

"He's upset, he's doing the brave 'not bothered, I can enjoy time with the baby' thing."

You wouldn't be making an assumption there would you? Given that the op hasn't said that's what he's doing? ;)

I had time off between jobs, got a three month pay off and actually started a new job after two, but the first 6 weeks were not a break, they were horrid, not knowing when I'd work again and how long our savings needed to stretch. The next two were great! I'd definitely prioritise job hunting, it can take a couple of weeks from applying to interview and a couple more until he actually starts so he may well get a decent break and if he says I'll start in a month to give himself some baby time plenty or employers would be pretty good. It does of course depend on the industry and availability of jobs at his level. Starting now also means he can be a bit more discerning about what he accepts than in a couple of months when he has to go for anything.

You might not be getting maternity pay but you could be entitled to maternity allowance, if you worked for enough time during the qualifying period, I'd recommend looking into it. Make sure you're getting child benefit and any tax credits you're entitled to as well. Sure start grants and vouchers are another possibility worth looking into too, and talk to your midwife, they may be able to signpost you to other stuff you can look at. And obviously take a good look at your budget and outgoing stop, see where you can save, but also reduce payments, are you in credit on your gas and electric for example, can you see if a water meter might save you money? The money saving expert forums are great for helping you reduce your spending, and the old time board on there has loads of recipe ideas too.

I do have some experience with employment law, and I would say that the reason for the sacking is pretty irrelevant if your dh isn't prepared to pursue any kind of action against them, and even then I'd argue it's tenuous at best, as I understand it parental rights for time off only kick in after the baby is born, and I've never heard of a case of a man claiming indirect discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, let alone winning one. I'm prepared to be proven wrong of course but my advice (having been in a similar tight spot) is budget hard, job hunt hard too, and don't let him wallow for too long. Make sure you get everything you're entitled to, and try not to worry too much.

Could he ring and see if he could go back to Jaguar maybe? Just be really honest about what has happened?

Some of the replies on here are awful. If he hadn't taken time off to go with you he would have been slated too.

OP I can't help re benefits although I do think your DH should appeal dismissal but I would be pretty irritated with a partner and father of my children jeopardising our financial security for the sake of time off with the new baby. In my opinion , nice as that probably is(I'm too old to have benefitted as statute and DH was self employed)it really is an unnecessary luxury. Your DH will have the next 18 and more years for bonding. It's a shame but what has happened needs to be put aside and job search started . It might yet work out that he is about for the new baby as it sounds as if they are imminent, best of luck to you all.

I am at anyone going out for dinner several times a week because they can't think of what to cook, having £6k in savings, but thinking it's appropriate to apply for benefits.

Sorry if that's judgemental, but my opinion is based on the information you've given.

Not sure what I'm missing here.

Why doesn't he just look for another job? You either have enough money to survive or you don't.

Work out your incomings, your outgoings, what you have left and how long you can live off whatever is left over.

I suggest he starts looking for a job now. I am due my first and I would love my other half to be at home with me, however that's not realistic. £6000 would be gone very quickly.

You say you only really have gas and electric outgoings... what about council tax, car tax, insurance, fuel, food, phone bills, luxury items/social time, what about the outgoings you'll have once baby is born?

Eating out all the time because you are lazy and can never think of what to cook is just bizarre. I'm a bit surprised any adult simply 'can't think of what to cook'...

Sounds like you just don't want him to go back to work straight away and you want people to justify that decision. Also sounds like he needs to go back to work as let's face it, £6k isn't going to get you far is it...

Sorry to sound harsh but he needs to start shoving a load of job applications to agencies or local places etc and start looking for a job, grafting and supporting his family. I couldn't be with a bloke who knew I was going on maternity leave and was willing to drain our savings so he didn't have to go back to work straight away. Maybe a week or two off, but not when you are so concerned about finances.

Also:

I am  at anyone going out for dinner several times a week because they can't think of what to cook, having £6k in savings, but thinking it's appropriate to apply for benefits.

^ this - it does take the piss a little!

Op, your dp may not want to have another job just yet, but he can get his cv updated, search out the appropriate recruitment agencies for his field, send out a few cvs, get some meetings/conversations going with agents.

He is unlikely to walk into a job first try, so he could be getting in some interview practice now and during the first few weeks after the baby arrives, while he has some flexibility with appointments.

Congratulations & good luck.

as I understand it parental rights for time off only kick in after the baby is born,

He’s entitled to attend 2 antenatal appointments during the pregnancy, but these can be without pay.

It's perfectly normal to apply for and get a new job with a holiday booked or a notice period. He just needs to apply for new jobs available from mid September, or be clear he needs a week's unpaid leave when his child is born.

Having set in stone non negotiable holiday booked or notice period has never stopped DH or I getting firm job offers, so I can't see why this is different.

Obviously he'll have to widen his net and be prepared to work further away or in a job that appeals less, and as you don't have a job you should also consider jobs which involve moving if necessary. It's all salvageable as you have just enough in savings.

You will have to stop eating out though, yes.

Left
“You refuse to believe having savings don't reduce the amount of UC you get, Emma?”
Nope. Not at all what I said. You clearly haven’t read any of my posts properly. I’m not going to explain yet again, but you’re welcome to reread them.

Anyway. OP, as I said before I think your partner should apply for jobs and for UC straight away. Please be aware that if eligible for council tax support you’ll need to apply for it separately.

Good luck to you both with the new baby, you with the birth and him with the job search.

@TTEA I'm not bothered about him being home with me I was a single Mum before I met him I went through pregnancy and birth alone I don't need anyone to agree with me or justify his reasons.

When you've had your first kid and 36 weeks pregnant with your second and your exhausted come back and tell me how much you cook at home every week

@AnotherEmma thank you Emma you have been very helpful.

You’re welcome