Career Juice+: Avoid getting burnt from getting laid off

As you all know, the political situation Thailand has been facing for the past several months has caused negative impacts on the economy in one way or another. The companies that are temporarily or permanently closing will surely spread ripples of negative impacts to their employees. Today let's discuss about what you should know in case you are suddenly laid off.

There are three main employee types - full-time, part-time and contract employee - and casual employees who get paid on a daily or hourly basis.

Here are some things that full-time and part-time employees need to know if their company decides to downsize or close down.

Employers need to give a one-month notice before they can let go of their employees. Employers that fail to do so have to pay a month's salary to the employees as the notice fee.

If an employee has worked for a period of

120 days < 1 year - she is eligible for one month of salary as compensation

1 year < 3 years - she is eligible for three months of salary

3 years < 6 years - she is eligible for six months of salary

6 years < 10 years - she is eligible for 19 months of salary

Check with your HR contacts on your benefits regarding remaining vacation days and company provident fund.

For those belonging to the Social Security Fund, you are also eligible for unemployment compensation up to 50 per cent of your salary* for up to six months or 180 days.

*Based on the maximum contribution salary rate of Bt15,000.

Casual workers are the ones that usually are the worst off because they cannot ask for any type of compensation for lost earnings. However, the government has already opened the Centre to Help the Affected Aspect of Political Gatherings to gather complaints and help these employees.

If those of you, who are reading this article, get caught up in this mess, please don't be discouraged. There are many recruitment agencies out there, with positions in every type of job and employees that can help find a job at no cost to you. Please try to look up more information on the Internet or send questions to the email address given below.

Wannaporn Srivatthanangkoon is the marketing communications manager of Manpower, a leading employment services company. She may be reached at