Restaurant Folk.. a letter template for your staff for social welfare

[Since been superseded by new schemes] Guys we've put together a letter template for our staff so they can at least start the process of trying to get Social Welfare Benefit. We're no lawyers, nor HR experts, but we hope the below can help... Unfortunately, from our understanding, those on working visas can't apply, so the paragraph corresponding to same won't apply. We're trying to to see what we can do for them in the meantime. Any ideas welcome!

INSERT DATE (that you temporarily laid off)

INSERT NAME

INSERT ADRESS

Ref: Lay-off until further notice

INSERT NAME

It is with a very heavy heart that we write to inform you that as of today, INSERT DATE, we must cease your employment with us until further notice.

In the interests of your safety & that of our customers, INSERT COMPANY NAME (registered company, INSERT REGISTERED NAME Tax No INSERT NUMBER) will cease trading until further notice. This is in response to the current Coronavirus crisis sweeping the nation.

These are unprecedented times, we’ll keep you informed as to any progress towards reopening the restaurant, but as of today, we’ll certainly be closed until the 29th March, if not beyond.

We would recommend you contact your Social Welfare Office immediately to apply for what is termed “Job Seeker Benefit”, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1221b0-jobseekers-benefit/ for more detail.

If we can be of assistance in any way, or you have any queries at all in relation to the above, please contact us directly. Please be safe.

Kindest regards

A note we've sent to our team too... God knows, but trying to be positive...

As messaged over these last few days, we're in unprecedented times. Hour-by-hour things are changing; countries going on lockdown; businesses, like ourselves, having to close temporarily.

It is absolutely heart-breaking.

As such, we've put together the attached for you:

• A temporary lay-off letter that you should take with you when speaking with your Social Welfare Office in an effort to avail of benefits. The Lay-off Letter is strongly worded as you will need this for the Social Welfare Office. Please be assured we'll be doing everything in our power to get back open as soon as we're allowed and get everyone back working with us in that event.
• A landlord template - that may be useful for you to either post to your landlord; or simply copy and paste the content into a whats app or text - whichever way you normally contact them. But we'd think it advisable to ask for a deferral in your rent - all they can do is simply say no.. but at least ask - your landlords might be more sympathetic than you think.

If you've any questions in relation to the attached or above; please feel free to mail us back or call me on INSERT MOBILE.

Unfortunately there are no promises at the moment as we don't know where things are going, but one thing to be sure of, you've been working under the Lola brand - an incredibly strong brand because of you (and every single member of our team). 

So when the time comes to reopen, we would like to think we'll be in a strong position, albeit slightly broken from these events, but we've a great brand and a great team.

Keep positive and keep safe and we're at the end of the phone if you need us! We'll give you a hard copy of the lay-off letter with your "hampers" we drop in later today / tomorrow!
Big hugs
Vanessa & Anna

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