yes I was laid off, i was working as a contactor building a new plastics plant, so as with contracting it was always inevitable that i was gonna get laid off, its the nature of the job, work a few months on one plant then onto the next, i got all the holidays i was owed including severence pay, so i was happy with what i recieved, i didnt think i would be entitled to it its just a lad at work mentioned it and i wanted to be sure. As to zad, no m8 theres nowt about at all, the company i was working for(amec), have jobs all over the country and they are normally pretty good at finding work for past employees so hopefully they will find me something. Iv been on the dole for a fortnight now and im already sick as a custard, its not even totally about the money, its about having something to get up for in the morning and having the self respect that a job brings. Oh well never mind something will turn up, thanx for the replies fellas