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A Fin24 user wants to know the implications of voluntary retrenchment. She writes:
My main job (full-time) is to do the reservations of my company's accommodation and manage the accommodation, as well as the deposits and final payment and reconciliation of payments.
Due to skyrocketing theft in the last couple of months, the company decided to contract the accommodation function out to someone else.
As a result my main job will fall away as of January 2014, and the small part that is left will be combined with another current half day job in the office to create one full day job.
Both myself and the other employee would then have to reapply for the new job. The unsuccessful one will be retrenched.
I would like to be retrenched voluntarily, as I can then pay off my debt and maybe clear my debt slate. I can also maybe claim UIF until I get another job.
Can the company turn around and tell me to resign, as one cannot willingly go for retrenchment?
I am not sure what the law says about something like this, so please advise.
Independent debt counsellor Renee Marais (NCRDC1780, Pretoria) responds:
In order for me to assist you with more details, it is important to know what your financial situation is - how much debt you have and with whom, and how much severance pay you expect to receive.
It is advisable to see a debt counsellor who can do an assessment for you. You can find debt counsellors on ncr.org.za - please find one close to you, or you may contact me directly.
It is for example possible to put you under debt review for a period of time as this is voluntary, so that you can survive while you are finding alternative employment and make use of the income you do have.
It is also possible for you to request settlement balances from your creditors, with a view to settling the debt in full - some creditors sometimes provide a discount.
Other points to consider:
1) About the retrenchment: you will have to speak to a labour expert about the best way forward, with the smallest impact on your work record. A company cannot force you to resign voluntarily.
2) It is always advisable to pay off your debt in total as the interest adds up, but just make sure that you are in a financial position to cover your living expenses while looking for other work.
3) Another option is to make use of the credit life protection on your credit cards and or loans to pay for the credit for six months, to give you time to find alternative employment.
- Fin24
Do you have a pressing financial question? Post it on our Money Clinic section and we will get an expert to answer your query.
My main job (full-time) is to do the reservations of my company's accommodation and manage the accommodation, as well as the deposits and final payment and reconciliation of payments.
Due to skyrocketing theft in the last couple of months, the company decided to contract the accommodation function out to someone else.
As a result my main job will fall away as of January 2014, and the small part that is left will be combined with another current half day job in the office to create one full day job.
Both myself and the other employee would then have to reapply for the new job. The unsuccessful one will be retrenched.
I would like to be retrenched voluntarily, as I can then pay off my debt and maybe clear my debt slate. I can also maybe claim UIF until I get another job.
Can the company turn around and tell me to resign, as one cannot willingly go for retrenchment?
I am not sure what the law says about something like this, so please advise.
Independent debt counsellor Renee Marais (NCRDC1780, Pretoria) responds:
In order for me to assist you with more details, it is important to know what your financial situation is - how much debt you have and with whom, and how much severance pay you expect to receive.
It is advisable to see a debt counsellor who can do an assessment for you. You can find debt counsellors on ncr.org.za - please find one close to you, or you may contact me directly.
It is for example possible to put you under debt review for a period of time as this is voluntary, so that you can survive while you are finding alternative employment and make use of the income you do have.
It is also possible for you to request settlement balances from your creditors, with a view to settling the debt in full - some creditors sometimes provide a discount.
Other points to consider:
1) About the retrenchment: you will have to speak to a labour expert about the best way forward, with the smallest impact on your work record. A company cannot force you to resign voluntarily.
2) It is always advisable to pay off your debt in total as the interest adds up, but just make sure that you are in a financial position to cover your living expenses while looking for other work.
3) Another option is to make use of the credit life protection on your credit cards and or loans to pay for the credit for six months, to give you time to find alternative employment.
- Fin24
Do you have a pressing financial question? Post it on our Money Clinic section and we will get an expert to answer your query.
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