| In these tough economic times, many people are | | | | cannot resign, as you will then be ineligible for |
| being laid off, losing their jobs, and finding | | | | unemployment benefits. |
| themselves relying on unemployment for a few | | | | - Put this in writing to them too. This will assist |
| weeks, or even months. However, there are also | | | | you should there be any disputes down the road. |
| cases where either voluntarily or otherwise, | | | | - Find out whether they have a severance offer |
| people resign from their jobs. | | | | for you, should you choose to leave of your own |
| The question is, if you do resign, are you still | | | | volition, as per their request. |
| eligible for benefits? Here are the facts: | | | | - Make sure that the severance offer meets or |
| - If you resign, whether voluntarily or under | | | | exceeds the amount you would have been able |
| duress, you will not be eligible for unemployment | | | | to claim from your unemployment insurance fund. |
| benefits. | | | | - Find out whether your provident fund or pension |
| - In some cases, the unemployment office will | | | | will still be available if you do choose to resign. |
| begin to pay out benefits, before this is | | | | The truth is, in a tough economic climate, it is |
| confirmed. In that case, when they do confirm | | | | sometimes easier for companies if their |
| with your employer that you did, in fact, resign, | | | | employees resign, rather than them having to lay |
| you will be liable to repay those benefits. | | | | staff off, or fire them. However, it is almost |
| - Not only can you not claim unemployment | | | | never in your best interests to resign, as you will |
| benefits if you resign, but you will also probably | | | | be left high and dry, and without any benefits. |
| jeopardize any claim you may have had for unfair | | | | If you know that you have done nothing that |
| dismissal, in the case of a forced resignation. | | | | warrants firing, or being laid off, and then the law |
| Since resignation is seen as an elective, it is | | | | is on your side - you will be able to dispute this, |
| understandable that the unemployment office | | | | and in the mean time, you will at least have the |
| does not deem it fair, or necessary, to pay | | | | cushion of unemployment benefits to fall back on. |
| benefits to people who have voluntarily become | | | | Don't allow yourself to be brow beaten into a |
| unemployed. | | | | resignation. Remember, you need to look after |
| If you are faced with a situation where you are | | | | number one. That means you. Make sure you are |
| asked to resign, for one reason or another, a | | | | getting what you have coming, and that you are |
| better course of action would be: | | | | not being shunted out the door simply because it |
| - Consult an attorney specializing in labor relations | | | | is easier for the company you work for to do so! |
| and law. | | | | Jobs are hard to come by, and it could be weeks, |
| - Speak to your superior, explaining that you | | | | or even months, before you find another one! |