I'd rather take redundancy than the job they're offering - can I?

carmen_blue

I've heard (through the grapevine) that my role may be made redundant. I'm not shocked (the company is going through some big changes) and I'm ready for a change anyway. However, I also heard that they may offer me something else in the company. It would be a similar role but for an entirely different area. The job title would be the same but the departments are completely different - the one I'm in is the one I have full expertise in. I don't want to work for this other department at all. It's like working in the sales department one day and then working in the marketing department the next. From what I've read, it seems that I would not get redundancy pay if I don't take this other job. But what if the job they're offering is one that I do not want at all? I moved my way up in the company to this position and when I leave, I'll join another company in a similar position - the role they're offering would totally negate all the hard work I've put in over the years to get to the top of my current department!

mjm3346

Give this a read from the TUC

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/my_employer_has_offered_me_an_alternative

carmen_blue

Thanks, mjm3346!

Premier_2

If it's the same job title within the company, chances are it's essentially the same job with similar roles & responsibilities. (and of course the same salary)

e.g if your job title is that of janitor, just because you currently clean the sales department's bogs, doesn't mean you can't be asked to clean the HR department's bogs instead (assuming they are on the same site).

carmen_blue

Thanks, Premier.

It would be the same job title but I'm hoping I can prove that the area they want to move me to is one that I have no experience in and, therefore, wouldn't be a very wise move on their part. I'm a writer and I do primarily technical writing. They would still want me to be a 'writer' but would like me write in the marketing department, ie very salesy copy that I don't have any experience in (and no desire to do)!

Hopefully they'll just take my word for it and I don't have to fight it.

kelloggs36

You would rather take the short term redundancy than a job???? How do you know you won't be capable of it? Just because you don't fancy it, doesn't mean you should take a huge risk - I certainly wouldn't.

mrsvicx

I believe that you can "trial" this new job to see how you get on, as Kelloggs36 says, you may enjoy it? I dont think that you are entitled to redundancy payment though, if you refuse to accept the new job.

undaunted

If your employer is planning to make redundancies on any scale they will be obliged to initiate a consulation process.

You can trial the job for 4 weeks without losing entitlement to redundancy. If there are genuine reasons the role is unsuitable you would be entitled to redundancy.

If you simply dismiss the idea or refuse the role unreasonably however you may well lose any entitlement to redundancy pay

carmen_blue

Thanks for all your replies. I'm in a fortunate position in that I don't need to work right now, so, yes, I would much rather take redundancy than the new job. I have my eye on a few roles in other companies and I've been considering setting up a business on my own, so the timing is perfect. I just wanted to know what my rights were. I now need to wait and see if they do offer me that other position and, if they do, will I be able to show them that it is not a 'suitable alternative' (assuming it is not)?