Worried about redundancy...

Nikkei

Hi Guys

Back in June three of the sites that we have were put into consultation, our site being the only site that wasn't. However they made a few redundancies in our office but relocated the redundancies in new jobs that were created by the other offices being relocated in our office.

Anyway another office have been told they're going into consultation and will be relocating in my current office (reduced number of staff and due to the distance of the other office again will be employing further staff)

After speaking to my manager today he thinks that they are further going to restructure the department and make further redundancies and may then offer redeployment

My worry is I've had a really rubbish year, my mum in law was diagnosed with bowel cancer and I had to take 10 days unpaid leave (she looks after our son whilst we're at work) while she was in hospital having surgery, she then had a really bad reaction to Chemo therapy and was hospitalised again for four weeks 2 of which I had to take off to look after our son, I also had to take a few days off to look after him when they went on a long deserved holiday. I've also had 3 dys off with tonsilitis, 3 days off with a bad back and was then told to stay off work by the flu pandemic line for 3 days when I had regular flu. I have used most of my holidays to take time off due my mum in laws cancer and some of them due to taking exams that benefit my company

I'm worried that my absence will mean I'm the one out of a job. In my favour, I have that I'm a hard worker and I'm they only one that puts hours in after work. I'm also training to be an accountant and other than my team leader I have the longest service out of 6 other team members.

I have a few questions, firstly can they make me redundant and then employ new people to do the same job ie ledger clerk in another department?

Can they use my absence as a reason to let me go, (i've had no warning regarding absence what so ever and for all illnesses i've been to the doctors (flu being the exception as they wouldn't let me go to the docs due to swine flu) I also have a pre-exsisting medical condition that means I have a low immune system and I get ill easily)

Any advice comments would be greatly appreciated!

Many Thanks
Nikkei

jazzyman01

Llets say, there are 4 people doing the same job and only one going, they will have to put all at risk whilst they carry out a selection matrix.

As there have been a number of redundancies already, it is likely that there is an agreed matrix. In m experience absence can play a part but it is only one element. Other areas are flexibility, qualifications, disciplinary record etc and, as a tie break, service.

If they want to close one area and move it to another, then they will have to consult, show that there is an ETO reason for the move and, before recruiting, give the current incumbents the opportunity to do the job elsewhere. It does really depend on distance to travel. What they cannot do is just move the job to another department in the same location. This would not be a true redundancy as the job is still required.

As for your medical condition, I assume that the Company is aware? It would appear your immune deficiency has affected you for over a year and it may be covered by the disability discrimination act. You could check with them.

getmore4less

jazzyman01 wrote: »

Llets say, there are 4 people doing the same job and only one going, they will have to put all at risk whilst they carry out a selection matrix.

As there have been a number of redundancies already, it is likely that there is an agreed matrix. In m experience absence can play a part but it is only one element. Other areas are flexibility, qualifications, disciplinary record etc and, as a tie break, service.

If they want to close one area and move it to another, then they will have to consult, show that there is an ETO reason for the move and, before recruiting, give the current incumbents the opportunity to do the job elsewhere. It does really depend on distance to travel. What they cannot do is just move the job to another department in the same location. This would not be a true redundancy as the job is still required.

As for your medical condition, I assume that the Company is aware? It would appear your immune deficiency has affected you for over a year and it may be covered by the disability discrimination act. You could check with them.

I understand this is known as bumping and can be done(no reference to back this up).

In this case the jobs are relocating and it is likely that some do not want to move.

If the company is not forcing people to move and offering redundancy then this is a good thing.
It also opens up positions in the new location so they can also reorg.

OP only you can judge how fair you employer has been so far.

If noone was made redundant in you current location last time(all got redeloyed) it looks like they see how many do not want to relocate and reorg to generate the correct number of people to do the jobs.

money_money_6

If your company makes you redundant I don't think they can employ anyone to do the same job.

Whilst absence is considered, it's not the main thing HR look at. You've stated that you sometimes work longer hours and you have a fairly long service history so that could be a good thing.

Good luck and let us know how you get on