Company taken over - advice please

bokkie7975

Hope someone can give us some info / advice on this......
The company hubby works for was taken over last September, they have now started sending out P45's to all the workforce.
Does this mean that they are laying off all the workers? i.e firing.
Will this mean a change to their contracts, if not being fired?
Can the company do this? after 6 months, as if nothing has happened?

Hubby's friend almost had a heart attack when his P45 arrived in the post without any warning.
Thanks in advance,
L

hjb123

Is there anything accompanying the P45 when they arrive in the post? Has the company been suffering financially?

I guess you can wait - you could maybe go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and see what they have to say about the situation and see what the options are and whether they are able to do this!

bokkie7975

hjb123 wrote:

Is there anything accompanying the P45 when they arrive in the post? Has the company been suffering financially?

I guess you can wait - you could maybe go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and see what they have to say about the situation and see what the options are and whether they are able to do this!

Hubby hasn't received his yet,(post can be quite erratic at times) so not sure about contents.

The warehouse has been overflowing with stock recently - but management has still wanted production to be at usual rate, they are supposed to be installing new equipment this week.
Thanks anyway, will just have to wait & see what the post brings.

hjb123

Yeah I would just wait for post - does your hubby do same job as his friend who has got P45?

Sounds odd to have got P45 through post just like that with no warning!

Dont worry too much, I know thats easier said than done.

bokkie7975

Hubby's friend is his supervisor, but they do basically the same job. They are on night shift , so always the last to hear of any changes being made, etc.
Thanks again.

exil

Contract of employment normally specifies a notice period. Dismissal without notice is only allowed in extreme circumstances - company goes bust, employee does something drastic like set fire to the workplace or punch the boss in the face.

Sounds more like company is going to issue new contracts - but having been in that boat myself, I can't remember getting a P45.

dro

Most likely what has happened is that the new company is transfering all the employees onto its own payroll. To do this they need to end the employment under the old payroll and issue a P45 and then use the P45 to enter them onto the new payroll. It does not affect the employemt at all as TUPE (Google it and you will find all the info you need) regulations mean that the new company has to take on the obligations to the employees of the old company. I would have thought that people should only be receiving part 1 of the P45.

If this is the case it probably would have been a good idea letting people know in advance as receiving your P45 can be quite a shock if your not expecting it!

bokkie7975

That makes sense - we were wondering why they had waited until the end of the tax year.
Yeah, they should have given them warning - opening an envelope & finding your P45 can't be a welcome surprise.

Many thanks, I should be able to get to sleep tonight.
L

StockportGerbil

Hi!
If he's not already a member of a union now is a very good time to join.

At a guess those folks are being TUPEd into the the new company but care should be taken in these sort of cases and having experienced advice and representation from a union is invaluable.

Good luck

Kevin

bokkie7975

Hi Kevin,
I have passed on all the advice we've received and he is grateful to all who have replied.
They don't have any unions at the company but I think he should join one too.
Thanks again all.
L