Losing your job
- Introduction
- Types of job loss
- What to do once you've lost your job
- Looking for work
- Returning to work
Introduction
Losing your job can be traumatic and stressful. This document outlines some of the steps you can take when you lose your job as well as some of the supports which are available to you.
Types of job loss
If you lose your job you may have been made redundant or you may have been dismissed.
Redundancy: This happens when your job in the company no longer exists, either because the business is closing or is reducing staff. If you are made redundant, you may qualify for a redundancy payment. You can find out how your redundancy payment is taxed.
Dismissal: This happens when you have lost your job but your role still exists in the company. You may or may not have been replaced. If you have been let go, you should check that your employer had fair grounds for your dismissal. If you are concerned about your dismissal you should find out more about your rights under unfair dismissals legislation.
When you lose your job you are entitled to notice and you may also be entitled to payment in lieu of wages and for holidays.
What to do once you've lost your job
If you have been made unemployed, there are a number of steps you must take and a number of supports which may be available to you.
PRSI and tax
When you lose your job you should register as unemployed with your local Intreo centre or Social Welfare Branch Office even if you do not qualify for an unemployment payment. You may be able to sign on for credited PRSI contributions so that you do not have a break in your social insurance record.
You may be entitled to a tax refund if you have been out of work for some time.
You will no longer receive a P45 when you lose your job. Your employer will notify Revenue of your leaving date and details of your final pay and deductions through Revenue’s online system. You can view these details through Revenue’s myAccount.
Social welfare and other supports
You may be entitled to an unemployment social welfare payment. If you have enough social insurance contributions you may be entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit.
If you do not have enough PRSI contributions you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance which is a means-tested benefit.
Depending on your circumstances you may qualify for a medical card or GP visit card and other secondary benefits such as Rent Supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
Looking for work
There are different ways to help you find a job. These include:
- Recruitment agencies
- Websites
- Newspapers
There also are different organisations which can help you. You should register with your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office for information about job vacancies. Its services also include career guidance and information about training courses.
Local Employment Services (LES) assist long-term unemployed people through training and career guidance to progress from social welfare to work.
There are employment schemes for long-term unemployed people such as Community Employment.
Education and training
After losing your job you may decide to return to education or vocational training, perhaps changing direction in your career.
There is a wide range of education and training programmes offering full-time and part-time courses. The courses include Further Education and Training (FET) courses and courses provided by Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
If you are on an unemployment payment you may be eligible for the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) or the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Returning to work
When you are returning to work you should make sure that your tax and PRSI deductions are correct. You should let your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office know when you are starting work.
If you are taking up self-employment you may be eligible for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.