Job at risk, how to prepare

joebmc

Yesterday the directors of my company had a meeting with HR which I felt could only mean bad news.


Turns out bad news it is… They are making a number of staff (around 8) redundant including me, well sort of!

They what to combine my job and someone else’s and make us both apply for that job.



Now


What happens if I don’t get the job, do I still get redundancy payout (about £3000 for 10 years service )?

What happens if I don’t want that job, do I still get redundancy payout?

BonandDom

Hi,

Sorry to hear your bad news, a very similar thing happened to me some time ago and I was in the exact same position. In a panic mode ("I need a job") I applied for the new position, was succesful at interview and offered the job. I then realised that I did not want the job for a number of reasons:-

1. I did not want to work for the company any more, the atmosphere had changed in the 14 years I had been there

2. The job was crap - I felt it was a step down

3. The redundancy package was very very good and would mean I had 12 months breathing space to look for another job.

Anyway to cut a long story short I advised HR of my decision and got the redundancy payment after a bit of a struggle, (the struggle was because I had applied for the new position).

You should have a consultancy period and use this time wisely to look at ALL your options.

Take care

joebmc

So if i refuse the new position i will still get paid redundancy? As as it stands i hate my job now without having to take on my crap!

BonandDom

Easiest solution is not to apply for it and then you can take the redundancy.

dickydonkin

joebmc wrote: »

So if i refuse the new position i will still get paid redundancy? As as it stands i hate my job now without having to take on my crap!

You won't be 'refusing' the new position, you just won't be applying for it therefore as your original position has been made redundant - the redundancy situation applies.

joebmc

Assuming I don’t apply for the position and take the redundancy, according to my contract I have to give 10 weeks notice if I were to resign (1 week for every year).

Would I also get paid this notice or can they make me work the 10 weeks from the date I agree to redundancy?

getmore4less

You can be asked to work the notice.

It is the company notice that applies 10 weeks or more if contractual is greater.

McKneff

Assuming I don’t apply for the position and take the redundancy, according to my contract I have to give 10 weeks notice if I were to resign (1 week for every year).

This is a bit confusing, you wouldnt be giving them notice, they would be giving you notice.
You wouldnt be resining (if you did you'd get nothing) they are making you redundant and would have to give you 10 weeks notice

joebmc

McKneff wrote: »

Assuming I don’t apply for the position and take the redundancy, according to my contract I have to give 10 weeks notice if I were to resign (1 week for every year).

This is a bit confusing, you wouldnt be giving them notice, they would be giving you notice.
You wouldnt be resining (if you did you'd get nothing) they are making you redundant and would have to give you 10 weeks notice

Thanks, thought so. Just want to get all the info needed before the meeting/s.

With regards to them offering a alternative position, I understand that it needs to be a reasonable alternative.

Would being offered the same position with extra duties be considered reasonable? The extra duties would include those of the other position being made redundant which would mean same pay (or more for the other person as i know how much he gets paid as i was offered his job before but said no to it due to the increase in hours) longer hours and working in a complete different department.

Basically I work in facilities and they would also want me to take on the role as a projectionist as well which would mean new skills have to be learnt (although i know how to do it as have done in the past)

Also say both I and the other person who is being considered for the merged role don’t apply or want the job will we both get made and paid redundancy?

As I have a strong feeling the other person doesn’t want to take on my duties nor do I his!

dickydonkin

With regards to them offering a alternative position, I understand that it needs to be a reasonable alternative.

From your posting, they are not 'offering' you an alternative position but the opportunity to apply for a newly created role. They appear to be amalgamating 3 peoples roles into two, creating a new position (that you both can apply for) and a seemingly lesser one that the 'unsuccessful applicant' could take up.

So the question of being 'offered' a reasonable/suitable alternative in theory does not arise. Only you can decide if the new position is suitable for you - if not, you do not have to apply. Your previous role has been made redundant therefore you are in a redundancy situation.

Your consultation meetings should clarify what you are entitled to and that is the ideal time to ask for more clarification on the issues that concern you.

Also say both I and the other person who is being considered for the merged role don’t apply or want the job will we both get made and paid redundancy?

In theory yes. Am I correct in assuming that you both have been 'provisionally selected' for redundacy and the 'new role' has been verbally proposed or is in writing?

If I was in your situation, I would play your cards close to your chest and if you are certain you do not want the new position I would keep my own counsel on that one.

I would attend the consultations and would not disclose my intentions - TO ANYONE.

My concern would be that if nobody applied for the new roles, the company would withdraw the redundancy and implement a variation on your contract of employment. They would need good reason for doing so, however, I am sure that they would cite the 'needs of the business', 'financial pressures' and 'avoiding redundancies' to justify the changes.

To be honest, I am surprised they have not done this because at the end of the day, the same two people on permanent contracts could still be potentially working for the company following a redundancy situation with the same outcome achieved.


If I was in your position, I would very seriously consider the new role. Even if your application was unsuccessful, at least you still have a job - albeit a likely lesser role but with the salary ringfenced for 3 years.

Don't let the prospect of a lump sum cloud your judgement.

Sure, you suggest that it may not be satisfactory, however, why do you not ask your employer in the consultations that if your application was successful (should you decide to apply) and it later transpired the role was no good for you after a three month trial, you would still get your redundancy payments.

It is a difficult job market out there right now - something I am sure you are aware of!

I reckon Intoodeep has got it right about your situation.
You can bet your life the new roles will introduce new T&C's.

Get more info on the new role -and the new terms and conditions.

I would suggest you get more information and seek professional advice if you feel that necessary, but seriously consider all of you options - even the new role - at least until the job market improves.

If your employer gave you a three months trial in the new role, that would give you a little breathing space to seek alternative employment and still get your redundancy payment at the end of the trial period.

When redundancy situations arise, your head is in a spin thinking about all of the implications - it is a stressful time and can induce irrational decisions that may be regretted at a later date.

Take your time and think carefully and I hope you make the right decision.

Good Luck anyway.