Husband has just told me he could lose his job

[turnround]

I don't know what to do or think, not sure if this is even the right place. I feel like I can't breathe. I have hidden away and can't stop crying. I think I just need to let it all out and have a bit of a hand hold/advice. I don't know how we would cope. We have a small baby and I am on SMP at present and we rely on his wage to cover our bills.

Essentially he made an oversight last year which has only been picked up now and needs to be resolved in the next week but highly unlikely it can be. He works in a profit/loss role - there is still significant profit, but if this can't be rectified it will be less than what was projected. He seems to believe his employer would let him go due to this. I tried to reassure him as surely this is ridiculous and everyone can fail to check something, but he still seems to think it could happen.

I also can't help but feel like it is partly my fault. I was ill at the time of the error, in and out of A&E and hospital, ending up with surgery and he was trying to hold it all together with work and helping with the baby as we have basically no family support. He has not said this nor would he ever, although I did say he should bring that up with them too as I believe it is relevant...maybe an employer wouldn't think so, I don't know.

I just don't know what to do, not that I can do anything.I feel can't even offer support as I feel like I am about to burst into tears with the worry of it all. He seems to think if he did get let go he'd get another role quickly enough, he's very optimistic that way.

What a worry for you both. DH is worried also, naturally, but doesn't want to pile even more on you. Are you eligible for UC? Get ready to fill out the forms anyway just in case (it will give you something positive to do). See what else you might be entitled to.

I hope it all works out far better than you are thinking. There are always dark clouds before the sunshine.

Thank you, sorry my phone won't let me tag you. We probably would be if he did lose his job, I don't really know much about it, but will look into it.

I have calmed down and spoke to him about it and he has now said it's unlikely he will lose his job for a variety of other reasons. I honestly don't know what to think now, if he's trying to downplay it to stop my worrying or if in fact it is unlikely and he was exaggerating not realising I would take it to heart. Although he knows I would worry and panic.

I assume he would know by the end of the week, but I am praying it will be okay.

It seems like the company has very poor processes if one person makes a human error and there's no procedure in place to make sure it's double checked.
It would be very harsh to lose your job over a one off mistake.

If he is finance and this has been picked up by a year end audit it is unlikely (unless he is the most senior) that the buck stops with him. I am going through an audit at the moment and many human errors are getting picked up. There should be checks to catch this stuff but they don't always work. When you say it will effect profit has he over- reported income or missed some massive expense? I really wouldn't worry to the point you think he will lose his job - probably just new checks put in place to make sure no recoccurrance.

A friend of mine lost his job in very similar circumstances. He made a mistake, it cost the company money, he realised his mistake and completely rectified it including getting all the lost money back in, and they still sacked him.

Sounds awful for both of you but I would try and not panic until it actually happens.
If it does happen then focus on the practical stuff.
Your DH sounds proactive and would get into job hunting right away and to fill the gap you would ask for payment holidays on your big expenses like mortgage etc and apply for UC ASAP. That is what the benefit system is for, a safety net to help people through hard times financially.

Be prepared to be honest with companies like gas / electric / water & council tax mortgage and rent and contact them before you miss payments. Explain the situation and they are very likely to have support in place and will be common for them.

If the worst does happen you will get through.

You & DH just need to support each other and divide up the practical stuff between you to get it sorted as quick as possible.

Sounds like Sales. It's a harsh field.

It was finance. I think they just didn't like him and so made an example of Finn

A relative of mine lost his job even though the company didn't end up losing money over it. His wife went back to work after 3 months ( she was higher earned anyway)
He got another job

I’m sure this makes the OP feel much better!!!!

You need to pull yourself together. He must be gutted. He needs to feel like you’re on his team not hiding and crying.

He can get another job, or you can. Or you can take a mortgage holiday, or borrow, or downsize (but it probably won’t come to that).

It’s completely normal to face life challenges. In a good marriage you deal with it together and help each other through it.

My H has been made redundant 3 times so far and there’s been other stuff. Lots of people go through tough times and survive.

Chin up, now.