DH has been fired and I need talking down

[Zorrita]

DH was pulled into a meeting this afternoon to say they were letting him go. He had a few issues with his direct boss (this is a separate issue and we will be going to ACAS), been in the job less than a year and it was decided he didn't gel with the team. Nothing bad that affects his employability or that will prevent him getting another job pretty quickly.

What I do need are practical tips on what we can do now while he looks for employment. What can I do in the immediate aftermath of this to soften the blow? A few things for context:

• We have about 4-5k coming to us but that will take a month or so I believe, and have minimal savings (about 2k)
• DS (1 year old) is literally starting nursery next week. We've paid the first month but not sure how we could afford to keep him in until DH is employed again
• We have put a Universal Credit application in as our income has now more than halved
• Applied for council tax reduction but not sure we will qualify
• DH is not shy about what he does - he is happy to go back to stacking shelves while he looks for something else
• I am in secure employment with a big company

Is there anything else I need to do practically that will help our situation? If it comes to it I believe my Dad will be able to support us for a couple of months but as I am sure many will understand it's embarrassing having to ask and I would much rather do everything else I can first before I borrow from him.

Please be gentle. I am feeling rather fragile right now and I don't need anyone adding to this already awful feeling.

Sorry to hear this OP, I can understand your head must be spinning right now.

If it were me I think I’d prioritise getting any job for now. As others have said, if he’ll genuinely consider anything he could be employed by the end of the week. Then focus on finding something more aligned to his interests/salary expectations in the medium term.

Guess they are paying him in lieu of notice. He isn't entitled to redundancy payment as only been there a year.

Can he WFH, I work for a call centre that's fully remote taking inbound calls and make a fairly decent bonus. They're always hiring and I know other companies like the one I work for as well that are also fully remote and have a decent bonus structure though it is minimum wage.

Fortunately loads of places are looking for staff. Update CV and get it out there. He could have a new job lined up within days.

As someone who has been made redundant, also under the two year line and therefore no extra redundancy pay but did have 3 week notice (when living alone and paying the mortgage and bills single handed) - it’s a lot to process, however the faster he moves the less the bite.

Start looking online straight away for jobs already available. Supermarket jobs and delivery drivers for instance, check every supermarket within workable distance and just apply. I suggest supermarkets because many big ones frequently have something available and the sooner you can start the better. Even if it’s part time, it’s a bit of extra income. I worked at one after being made redundant for 3 months - having also worked at one as a student for a few years part time - whilst I found a good job that I actually wanted, instead of diving into a job in the right area but not exactly right if you get me.

My point being, just aim for something, any job, then he can keep looking carefully for his more long term possibilities and work out what he really wants.

Nursery I should warn will likely require notice to reduce hours, plus you might loose you space when you suddenly need the hours again. Enquire but be aware the likelihood is no.

What’s your salary op v outgoings?

As regards benefits- new style Jobseeker’s Allowance is probably best to claim as not affected by your wages or savings.

You can claim universal credit at the same time.

To pp - remember there is a difference between being eligible to start a universal credit claim (immigration/amount of savings) and calculating entitlement and actually getting paid.

That's not something you should be proud of. Society is in the gutter. You shouldn't have been forced into that position to be very frank.

Of course you do!

I'm in London and see lots of 'Staff Wanted' signs posted in pub windows, take away windows and restaurants. He could also consider Uber, Amazon or food deliveries while he is looking. Warehouse work seems to be quick and plentiful also.

Thank you all, just reading through now and will reply properly and directly to people shortly.

Just to clarify, we have 2k current savings and a 4-5k in inheritance due but that will take time to sort, hence why it's not immediately available and hopefully shouldn't affect UC until after we no longer rely on it. We earned around 3.5-4k combined pcm (not sure exact off the top of my head). We rent currently and my sole wage will just cover rent and bills, will need a top up to cover food and general child expenses (2 other school age DC). We definitely qualify for UC (no more than 16k savings is the threshold iirc). Going to do the proper sums and get a clearer idea

I'll speak to nursery tomorrow as I an going in for DS last settling in session and see how they can help but DH is ok taking him out and looking after him while looking for work to avoid the financial hit. Will also look at all the subscriptions (we have spoilt ourselves with them and could cut back on a few) and as you suggested @GerbilsForever24 look at any other outgoings we can cut like the insubordinate amount of Deliveroo we order and sell all the things in the garage we have been meaning to!!

DH is going to sign up to agencies tomorrow and look at places like Royal Mail etc who might be looking for people to help clear backlogs. He used to be a warehouse supervisor in Aldi when he lived in the sUSA so he has plenty of experience in retail/warehouses.

Thank you all so much for your responses. I am still reading through and will respond as and when I can but I really appreciate all the advice. DH has been sent a link so he can have a read too

What is his current job? And ideal job? Is his CV ready and on-line. Is he slso applying for jobs he actually really wants?

You've already had some fab advice so far. So sending an unmumsnetty hug and a handhold - we've been there and its really tough.

Job market is booming right now, fingers crossed that he gets something quickly.

Sign up for job seekers - only £60 ish a week but they help you find work.
some of these things take time to come though so worth exploring all options.
mortgage holiday?

Sign up to LinkedIn - lots of jobs in there

Both DDs have been offered jobs by going into shops - NO CV’s exchanged although were available. Immediate starts as well. Paperwork sorted shorty after.

It can be done.

This. Without knowing the op's full circumstances, nobody on this thread should be confidently stating that the op won't be eligible for benefits. Seek a benefit check op - through CAB or online, and it would be worth your husband seeing if he is eligible for new style JSA (based on NI contributions).

If he’s not fussy he can start as an uber driver or similar straight away.

Get his cv up to date on LinkedIn and clear that he is seeking work.
reach out to any contacts from previous employers.

If he has warehouse experience definitely look at the Tesco, Asda, etc etc career websites. Where I am they are always looking for warehouse staff including at supervisor/ manager level and it’s very well paid compared to their jobs in their supermarkets.

@Angeldelight81 they really do. I've worked at delivery companies who are happy to take drivers on who go in with a CV, or even without and have the nouse just to ask the question.

I've had clients who do the same where there are picking and packing jobs etc.

@ArmWrestlingWithChasNDave nobody said high street - the comment I responded to said 'pounding the streets'

Mortgage holidays are not a thing any more after laws changed recently
I know this because I called my bank to get one and that's what they told me

@ShimmeringShirts That isn't quite right. Even if the first UC payment is £0.00 due to her husband's final wages, the claim will remain open and a payment may be due one month later (not 5 weeks). Claim closure due to earnings is only considered after six consecutive assessment periods have been reduced to £0.00 due to earnings.

@Hungrycaterpillarsmummy it must depend on your lender because they're definitely still a thing

My cousin got his job three months ago doing exactly that so you’re wrong to dismiss it. Although broadly, online is more likely for higher paid roles. Depends on what you’re doing. I doubt my local newsagent demands an online CV for each vacancy.