Northumberland advice workers see surge in queries
Nov 24 2010 by David Black, The Journal
ADVICE workers are having to deal with a major increase in queries about employment problems as the economic recession continues to take its toll on families across the North East.
Advisers at the six Citizens Advice Bureau in Northumberland have seen a 33% rise in calls about employment issues over the last six months.
The sharp increase comes as more recession-hit companies go under, while others shed jobs, cut wages and change employment contracts in a bid to survive. The majority of employment inquiries to CABs in Northumberland have been about dismissal (up 54%) and pay and entitlements (an increase of 28%).
But there have also been significant increases in the number of calls about employment tribunals and appeals, terms and conditions of employment, dispute resolution and parental and carers’ rights.
Yesterday the CAB said many of the people seeking advice are experiencing dismissal or redundancy for the first time in their lives. Others are losing one of the two or three jobs they need to make ends meet.
Northumberland CAB officials say that, with reports coming out almost daily of threats to jobs, they expect the high demand for employment advice to continue.
Rachel Turnbull, Social Policy Officer for the Northumberland CAB, said: “There have been a few larger companies closing, but also smaller employers are going out of business or changing people’s contracts. A 33% rise in employment queries is a pretty significant increase in six months. Looking back to the same period last year, there was nowhere near such a steep increase.”
CABs across the region are facing growing workloads because of rising numbers of employment queries and other recession-related problems. A spokeswoman at the East Durham CAB in Peterlee said: “There is definitely an increase in employment-related calls. Our main issues are benefits and debt. They are getting higher because more and more people are losing their jobs.”
Karen Fox, deputy manager of South Tyneside CAB, said: “There has been an increase over the past six to eight weeks in employment-related queries and we have an employment solicitor booked up for the next two weeks to deal with appointments on this issue.” Advisers in Northumberland are particularly concerned about the growing number of clients who haven’t received their pay or holiday entitlements, and people who have had the terms and conditions of their employment changed without discussion.
They say that in such uncertain times it is imperative that people know their legal rights and can get free advice if they have been made redundant or fear they may be.
Rachel Turnbull said: “You can only be made redundant if your job disappears or your employer reduces its workforce. When your employer chooses who to make redundant, it is illegal to use selection criteria which discriminate against anyone because of their age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
“If you are struggling to pay bills as a result of redundancy it’s vitally important to speak to your lenders straight away or access free debt advice.”
People looking for advice on redundancy rights and entitlements, debt and benefits are urged to visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
