Hi I am new here and need advice I have been working with my present company for over 4 years. I am employed as a panel beater. On 1st July all employees ( 9 in total) received a letter regarding a downturn in work and redundancies might have implemented. Since then 3 guys have been paid off. Now I am employed PAYE for the last 4 years and have always worked 40hrs per week. I have never received a contract in the time I have been there . On Friday 7th of August we were told that there was no work for the following week and we would be phoned if necessary. Since then I have had 2 days one week and 3 days the next week and have received no pay for the days off. When I was in one day last week I found out that the other guys had a contract which allowed them to be laid off without pay. My employer came to me with a contract last Thursday which had my start day on it of 4 years ago , asked me to sign it and return. I have not signed it yet On Friday there we were told there was nothing for Monday but will phone in due course. Some guys are working Monday What should I do ? Have I been laid off ? Is this short time working ? I have never had a warning or anything like that , I feel if I don't sign this though my employer will just get rid of me for being awkward Thanks in advance