Public Sector considerind voluntary redundancy - I have some questions

Ojilli

Hi People

I'm a public sector employee who is currently on a years career break following the birth of my second child.
Eveyone in the organisation has been asked to consider their options including voluntary redundancy. I have expressed an interest but was wondering about the following:

- I have worked there 16 years - full time until my eldest child was born and then part time until I went off on maternity - will my redundancy pay be pro-rated out?

- If I do take VR will I be entitled to claim any benefits or indeed have my stamp paid by the govt (and who do I contact regarding this)

- Does taking VR mean you can never go back to that job at some point in the future (ie when kids are grown up and the country sorts itself out) or is it on a case by case basis?

- Do you usually get a better deal taking VR than waiting to be made redundant compulsarily?

Thanks in advance.:)

leekat21

I'm a public sector worker on a fixed term contract. All VER applications in my dept were to be received by August this year. Applying didn't mean you'd be offered it but it did give you the number details which would help with your financial planning.

More info to exact details will be availble to you on your dept intranet site or through your line manager. I understand that while on a career break, your line manager is obligated to keep you informed of these details.

Do you not have an Employee Services phone number that you could use to discuss with appropriate people?

Each person's circumstances will be different, but I have a colleague who took VER from one govt dept and then started to work on my project on a part time basis. I understand that she can only work a certain number of hours per week or it would adversely affect her pension.

skintbint_2

Hi Cant answer all your questions, but you will be awarded pro-rata, depends on the terms and conditions they offer on voluntary but you ususally get to put in for a "quote" before deciding to go ahead. Dont worry about you stamp as you have home responsibilities protection with your child benefit and as for returning again it depends on conditions of redundancy but you are usually okay after about two years and it if it is through fair and open competition and not applying for re-instatement. hth

fuse

I cant answer all of the points but ill have a go at what i can

1) for your redundancy payment, it will really depend on your employers conditions, but will normaly be based on what they consider your salary as. Now as you are on career break that may affect it, you reall will need to ask them that. I know my employer would pro-rata the rate.

2) You will be able to claim contribution based JSA as far as i know, but that is time limited to 182 days i.e. 6 months, but is dependant on your NI contributions over the previous 2 tax years being up to date. for income based JSA it will depend on your assets, which you wouldnt automatically qualify as you took voluntary, so you would be limited by your notice period as it can be considered payment in leiu of notice.

3) The tax man will have some say and your employer probably will to. HMRC i think said 1 year gap is sufficient, but employers sometimes say 2 - again dependant on employer. You can go back earlier and HMRC may ask for some payment etc.

4) Thats a how long is a piece of string Question. You will need to sit and work that out yourself, but you would still be getting a salary etc if not made CR yet, or leaving before your notice period is complete etc.

That wont be comprehensive, but i think should generaly be ok - im sure others will help correct me

sarflee

I took VR but under CR terms as a public sector worker in March 2010. They were trying to put through new terms but I think they were found illegal or something, so if the terms are still the same then:

1. I was full time then part time and they worked out what my full time equivalent was ie. 6 years at 37 hrs then 6 years at 18 hrs equated to roughly 9 years full time. So the redundancy was worked out as if I had been there for 9 years full time.

2. As long as you have paid NI for two full years (I think there years are Jan to Dec) you should be able to claim contributions based JSA.

3. I worked for HMRC and you couldn't work for another public sector in the same pension scheme for 28 days without financial penalty, after 28 days you kept everything. Again they tried to change this but failed. This may now have changed.

4. CR terms are the best offered but I was given VR but under CR terms.

nimbo

Under agenda for change the compulsory redundancy terms state you get 1 month pay for each year worked... in the NHS councils differ…

The VR terms are however changeable, where I work they offered that same package but they don't have to by law. They can try to entice you away at a cheaper rate.

We were also offered the opportunity to change our working hours, BUT we were told that if were then made redundant it would be at the current months wages, so we would get less of a payout.

Ojilli

Thanks people

Didn't really want to go bothering them at work with endless questions since I expect things will be a little busy in personnel at the mo - will wait and see what my settlement figure is.

firesidemaid

are you in the pension scheme?

i know that currently with the nhs one, if you are in the ol/original scheme and 'leave' as such if you retirn within 5 years you can return to the old scheme - after 5 years break you have to change to the new scheme.

obviously, this could change again! what i mean is, think about every detail including your pension and future pension options.

slummymummyof3

If you are in the NHS, you also need to consider your professional registration - you need to practice for x number of hours to maintain professional registration, if you don't then you will need to complete a return to practice course in order to work within your field should you gain employment elsewhere.