OH redundancy shock

jwc999blue

Hi,
wonder if any of you can help, background
My OH has worked for the same company for 32 years, on tuesday she was called into the office & told her job was under threat due to a new automated system & they were entering a consultation period with her.
She cannot understand how they can say there is no need for her job anymore when the following jobs that she does will still have to be done

The automated system (purchase orders) still requires someone to manually input the orders onto the system

She is in charge of keeping all personnel records ie holidays, sickness, writing personnel letters etc

She also carries out a large amount of purchasing, ie sourcing suppliers, placing orders etc

Anyway the following day when they had a business council meeting, people were asking what was going to happen to the work my OH did her boss said he was taking all over ( she knows this as her sister works there also)

my main question is this, is this legal, as her role is not reduntant because her boss is taking it over, they have not asked for voluntary redundancies & there are other people in her office with far less service fulfilling similar roles which she could do. She has to go to a "consultation meeting" with her boss next week, where a decision will be made. Where would she stand legally if she were to go to tribunal for unfair dismissal. Sorry this is so long, any help from anyone will be gratefully appreciated
thanks
jim

kateab

To me, with my layman's view of it, it seems they have done the right things so far. It's perfectly reasonable for them to say that her work could be done by the boss. If her boss could take on all her duties, then her job is redundant.

They don't have to ask for volunteers, and it's not strictly last in first out these days.

I can't answer for whether she has a case or not. I suggest you get some proper legal advice fairly promptly once you know the decision.

kateab

bendix

Agree with kateab. The company has gone about it in the right way, and if the boss can take on the functions then - yes - her job is redundant.

After 32 years, why fight it? That would be a massive redundancy payout! Have they discussed figures yet?

getmore4less

bendix wrote: »

Agree with kateab. The company has gone about it in the right way, and if the boss can take on the functions then - yes - her job is redundant.

After 32 years, why fight it? That would be a massive redundancy payout! Have they discussed figures yet?

Only if they offer an enhanced package the maximum statutory redundancy is £10500 if you have worked 20 year over the age of 41(£350*30)

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page33157.html

kateab

Yes, agreed. Stat redundancy is much less than you'd think. Many companies will pay the statutory number of weeks but not cap the weekly rate at £350.

kateab