COVID-19 Redundancy

[Beagle2000]

Hi All,

Asking for my friends, she is 4 months pregnant and has been in her job for less than 2 years. She has just been made redundant via email today.

The email is from the CEO stating that they have been in contact with advisers, banks, shareholdersetc and are entering administration as even with the support offered by the government they would still be unable to support the business operations and would not be able to pay back large loans etc and so have decided to appoint a liquidator to conduct a members voluntary wind up.

The company provided training and apprenticeships etc.

Questions are:

- What should her next steps be? universal credit? looking for another job knowing she is pregnant and companies will struggle to hire her?

- Does she have any entitlement with her being pregnant? she has been there less than 2 years so wont get a lot, if anything.

- Is it best she just accepts what has been handed to her and move on with next steps above?

The company has confirmed to ensure the staff are paid until end of March, paid the notice period and unused holiday as well as government redundancy pay.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou

[Beagle2000]

Bump

[Beagle2000]

Bump*

[Celestine]

Hi - moved your thread to Employment law forum. Ula will be about tomorrow and no doubt will pick this up. Thanks X

[ULA]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your friend's situation. Since this is now about closing the business down under a member voluntary wind-up I am assuming that all the staff are being made redundant. Unfortunately in this case there is very little that your friend can do and since she has less than 2 years service there will be no entitlement to any redundancy pay. The company have agreed payment to the end of March, notice and payment for accrued but untaken holiday which is what she would be entitled to.

Was 31st March the last day she

worked for them?

I am sorry to say that it will be a case of her having to move on which I know, given the situation with COVID19, may not be easy. She might be eligible for Job Seekers Allowance which may also give her access to finding out if she is eligible for other benefits. The link is below:

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance*

*

[Beagle2000]

Ula*Hi, thank you very much for your reply. It’s exactly what I thought as well given the current circumstances. Will pass the message on anyhow. Thanks again*