redundancy questions?

eyelashes74

hi
myself and a colleague were told today that our offices were being 'restructured' meaning both our positions would be no longer available. our role is to become one role and the hours dropped considerably and is available for 1 person, the drop in hours is available for either of us to take and if we both want it they will then select one of us.
in addition 2 new roles have been created instead of our jobs and we have been invited to apply for these jobs. the hours and rates of pay are different.
my question is should these jobs have been offered to us anyway, or are they following the correct procedure by inviting us to apply for them?
tia

Judith_W

It is very common for people to be made redundant and then required to apply for the new roles. This happened in our company where a team was effectively removed and then the roles were scattered throughout the company.

Liz_the_Whizz

hi eyelashes,

Sounds OK procedurally, but depends how it works out in practice.

Stage 1 - you and you colleague are "ringfenced" for the restructured post that covers your previous duties. No-one else can apply unless you both refuse it. If only one of you applies, you get the job; if you both apply, one person is selected. The problem as you pointed out is that the new role is for less hours, so it may not be ideal for either of you.

Stage 2 - two new jobs are created and, because they are not related to your previous roles, it is right that you are be invited to apply rather than ringfenced. But a reasonable employer would give preference to an employee who might otherwise be at risk of redundancy, provided that you meet the job/person specification. You also said that these roles are on different hours and rates of pay, so again may not be your first choice.

So, process-wise, I don't think there is much room for complaint. But whether or not your employer is manouevring you and your colleague by dropping the hours and then possibly deciding you are not suitable for the other roles is another matter.

You need to make the best of what options you do have, unless you want out. You could apply for your "old" job even if the hours are not ideal, then apply for one of the two new roles if that it a better option. Even if you are thinking of leaving, it is always easier to find a job if you have a job.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.