Claiming contribution-based JSA after work settlement and NDA...

[Greenwitchart]

I had to leave my senior management role after bullying and discrimination by my manager. The organisation agreed to a settlement when I lodged a formal complaint and made it clear I would go to an employment tribunal.

I managed to find a freelance contract straight away for 8 months after leaving and worked for a small business.

But now I am struggling to find anything permanent in the current job climate although I apply for several vacancies every day so I might have to soon start considering benefits (contribution based JSA for six months while I job hunt).

My question is that because of the settlement agreement/NDA I am not sure what to tell the DWP in term of why I left my job.

Has anyone been in that situation?

Would I be able to say that I left by mutual agreement after making a complaint and agreeing on a settlement without having to go into more details (which I can't do because of the agreement made with my former employer)?

Give ACAS a ring for advice.

I went through something very similar recently. I just told the jobcentre I was made redundant. Had I not accepted the settlement they would moved to that anyway. A few months later I got another job. It’s tough out there but keep going! I had a fair few knock backs along the way.

Thank you both for the comments!

I will ask ACAS for advice as suggested.

@CouldBeWorseProbs
I am glad things worked out well for you.

Similar circumstances here, I told them I was made redundant

I had a settlement agreement, but would have been made redundant if I hadn’t signed it. I told them I was made redundant.

your last work though was your contract role, which has ended. From memory, they only ask why you left your last role.

fill the online form in straight away, you’ll have an interview with them before you get anything. It’s actually pretty straight forward.