Hi! Just wanted some advise as to what is the best thing to do.
Bit of background first, firm I have worked at for 6 1/2 years is not making any money and about a month ago I took a 5% pay cut. Im 7 weeks pregnant (they dont know this).
Yesterday quite a few of us got called in and notified that our jobs were at risk of redundancy. Im on a 3 month notice contract so they would have to pay me 3 months gross wages which incidentally is on my previous wage before the 5% drop. This works out as £6K. (can anyone clarify that this will be the gross amount? and not taxed etc?)
Then I would get statutory redundancy pay. The letter we got doesnt say its capped but by googling I believe this is capped at £350 a week for every week youve worked there and 1/2 a week for every week I was under 21 (im 26) so this (I think!) works out as £1,750.
So this gives me £7,750 redundancy package which I dont think is taxed (??) This would be nearly 6 months wages for me as if I wasnt made redundant then id be still working at the lower wage.
What would you do?!
Im temped to take the money and offer voluntary redundancy and then id effectively be paid up to November which is probably when id go on maternity leave anyway. Id also qualify for Maternity Allowance which I believe is the same as SMP anyway. So the only thing id miss out on is the initial 6 weeks at 90% earnings. Bearing in mind I could hopefully temp or do some part time work and make this money up in the 6 months hopefully.
Do you think im stupid or do you think it makes sense for me to take the redundancy?!
Any help and advice much appreciated!
xxxx
