Losing Your Job
Whether you face redundancy or have already lost your job, the Council can offer advice on your rights, options and the next steps to take.
Your Rights
General Advice
The Redundancy Help website at http://www.redundancyhelp.co.uk/ is a good source of general information if you are threatened with redundancy or have just been made, redundant. Sections include debts and finance, job hunting, counselling, your rights and employment law.
Unions
The website of the Trades Unions Congress can be found at http://www.tuc.org.uk/ and has a list of all its members unions, including contact information and the trades each union covers.
The TUC's WorkSMART website at http://www.worksmart.org.uk/ has information to make sure you're treated fairly at work, including your rights, health issues, the minimum wage and pension advice.
Tribunals
ACAS is an independent agency that aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. Their website provides information and independent advice, at http://www.acas.org.uk/, including your rights following redundancy or dismissal.
More information about employment tribunals can be found at http://www.employmentappeals.gov.uk/.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau's 'Advice Guide' website at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/employment.htm has tons of information on employment rights, how to deal with redundancy or dismissal from your job, plus related information such as benefits, financial issues, tax, debts and adult education. There is a local advice centre on Town Hall Street in Grimsby, and also centres in Cleethorpes and Immingham. Go to http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/bureau_detail.html?serialnumber=100226 to find out more about directions and opening times.
Benefits, Tax Credits and Allowances
If you are aged between 16 and 65 (for men) or 60 (for women), and either not working, or working on average less than 16 hours a week, then you probably qualify for Jobseekers allowance. More information, including how to claim, can be found at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/cms.asp?Page=/Home/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/727 or by visiting your local job centre.
You might find you qualify for Housing Benefit. Go to /advice/benefits/housingbenefit/ to find out more. You may also qualify for Council Tax Benefit - our webpage at /AtoZ/atozDetail?ID=6902 will tell you more.
Your children may qualify for free school meals - the application forms can be downloaded from /advice/benefits/education_benefits_forms.htm.
Child benefit is aimed to help low income families bringing up children. Some useful information, including who is eligible and how to claim, can be found at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/childbenefit/
9 out of 10 families with children are eligible for tax credits but you don't need to have children to qualify. Go to https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk see if you could get some extra help.
The Department for Work and Pensions answers some your questions about jobseeking and benefits at http://www.dwp.gov.uk.
UK Online
The UK Online website has lots of information on your rights at work, the Minimum Wage, tax, and health and safety issues at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Topics/Employment/Employees/fs/en.
Finding a New Job
The Job Club
The Job Club is a refreshed initiative from North East Lincolnshire Council. It combines both the HR department and the Libraries in partnership to deliver workshops in all the libraries throughout the region.
It is free to join, with benefits including up to two hours a day free internet useage at local libraries to search for a new job. You can join online or at your local library.
Once you have joined you will receive a joining pack and Job Club card.
JobCentre Plus
Your local jobcentre, or the Jobcentre Plus website at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/, can help you with benefits issues and finding a new job.
Council vacancies
A full list of vacancies at North East Lincolnshire Council can be found at /forms/apply-for-it.htm
Local jobs - Grimsby Telegraph Website
The 'This Is Grimsby' jobs website at http://jobs.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/ has a searchable list of all the local vacancies as advertised in the local paper; the Grimsby Telegraph.
Jobs Websites
Workthing - http://www.workthing.co.uk/
Total jobs - http://www.totaljobs.co.uk/
Monster Jobs -
Reed - http://www.reed.co.uk/
Stepstone - http://www.stepstone.co.uk/
Fish 4 Jobs - http://www.fish4jobs.co.uk/
Starting Something New
New Deal
The New Deal is a Government strategy to help get people back to work. It gives people on benefits the help and support they need to look for work, including training and job preparation. More information, including employers, personal success stories and the options available to you, is available at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or call 0845 606 2626.
Directgov jobs and skills search
The Directgov jobs and skills search, available at www.direct.gov.uk/findajob, has the facility to search for jobs online by job title or area, plus careers advice, training information, tips for job applications and interviews and CV help.
(replacing the Worktrain web site)
Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charitable organisation which supports people aged 18-30 who are unemployed but want to start their own business, through a system of grants, loans and free advice and mentoring. Go to http://www.princes-trust.org.uk for more information.
Other useful Life Epsiodes: