voluntary redundancy?

shark_DB

Hi, The company that my wife works for is relocating to over 100 miles away, they have opened a new branch and have been in the process of transferring all the work across. Initially everyone was told that this would be an additional branch, but it was quite obvious that her branch was to go. She has now been given notice that her branch will shut and all staff will be redundant (less than 20). The letter states that she can relocate to the new branch if she would like (not practical for us) or apply for voluntary redundancy which is not guaranteed. Does any one know why this would be voluntary rather than compulsory and if compulsory would it make any difference? She is part time and has recently returned from maternity leave, she was part time before this but started as full time nearly 8 years ago. The letter does not give a date or any redundancy terms.

If anyone can advise we would be most grateful.

getmore4less

What is in the contact of employement about mobility and work place location.

You need to consult,

Ask what the terms will be for VR and normal redundancy.
What are they offerig to make a move to the new office attractive.

Both the employer and the employee have to explore ways to avoid redunancy so it can be in your interest to explore the move even if you know it will be a problem, have a list of issues that make the move not possible. School, childcare, transport, etc just in case they try to encourage the move to avod redunancy payments.

If you can't relocate or work at the new office(even a mobility clause may not be enforsable) then you are automaticaly redundant so think you ignore the VR bit unless it offers an enhanced package and you want to take that.

When does 8 years service happen an extra years notice and reundancy pay is worth hanging on 4. If less than 7weeks then 8 years service is already in the bag.


If this was on the cards it would have been smart to try and go back full time to increase the payments due.(too late here but worth others making note).

shark_DB

Hi thanks for the response, 8 years will noy be untill June.

I think she will have to go back and ask some more questions next week. I just can not see why they are offering voluntary redundancy as an option when she would not chose to take it if their was an alternative.