Unemployed due to a major business closure or disruption 106-05020130
Expand allThis document outlines information regarding the process when employees are affected by a major business closure or disruption. In these cases, contact with the employer should be made as early as possible, to assist the employer and employees involved.
Contact from employers/employees
If employers or employees contact a service centre or Smart Centre Call, details should be forwarded to the relevant Zone Office or National Business Gateway.
Information to obtain from employer/union
The employer and trade union(s) should be contacted to obtain information including:
- the total number of workers affected, unions involved and location of the situation
- the nature of the situation (e.g. strike, lock out)
- whether there are non-union members and/or contractors affected
- the date the situation commenced
- what (if any) entitlements are being paid and for how long, and
- possible flow on effects to other businesses
Appropriate response for affected customers
The Zone Office or service centre involved will determine the appropriate response for the affected customers. This could include:
- seminars
- individual interviews
- information sessions
- Financial Information Service (FIS) assistance
- Identifying if a customer is eligible for income support and other products, which may include running the First Contact Service Offer (FCSO) application
- Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) information
Note: when attending a workplace for redundant or retrenched workers, staff must ensure information sheets are provided to employees.
The Resources page contains links to publications forming an Information Kit for Employees/Employers facing redundancies/retrenchments, including a Beyond Blue booklet for retrenched workers and a link to a Department of Employment and Workplace Relations information sheet. There is also a 'Guide for major business closures, industrial disputes and stand downs' for staff reference.
Related links
Unemployed Due to Industrial Action (UDIA)
Registering customer as a job seeker
Eligibility for JobSeeker Payment (JSP)
Cessation of employment income
Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) and General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS)