Redundant after 3 months!!

London_Jim

Hi,

Looking for some advice as thus far, i'm pretty much in the dark!

I started a new job back in October last year, really good job with good prospects.

2 weeks into the employment I was called into the HR Directors office, and he informed me my office were being relocated, and asked how I felt about. I explained it was not ideal, however the location was still commutable. He also said my travel expenses would be paid.

About 4 days later, I called a meeting with my line manager to discuss the move - I raised all my questions, and where he could he answered them. Those he did not know, he took to the HR director. Later that day, I was called into another meeting and told they were now moving from Surrey to Staffordshire! (Previous move was still in Surrey). I was told I was wanted to go with them, and I would be offered £8k relocation expenses. We spoke about it, and I asked why I had not been made aware of the relocation prior to me joining. I was told that they did not know then, and I was told immeidiatly - I doubt any company would make such a decision without investigating it, and I fail to believe such an exercise could take place in 2 weeks for the relocation within Surrey, and 4 days!!! to Staffordshire.

I gave genuine consideration to the move, and even began looking at house prices. I asked for further information on the move on a number of occasions, however this was not received.

Around 6 weeks later I was pressured into a decison - I chose not to relocate for a number of reasons, such as not knowing anyone in the area, and the concern that should I move there would be no commitment from my employer that i would have a job for a minimum period, but mainly as i had not received any information about the move. Without this info, I would be a fool to agree.

A further few weeks passed without any contact, until suddenly I was called to a meeting with HR and my line manager. I was informed that as I refused to relocate, I was now at risk of redundancy. I expressed my concerns regarding the manner in which it had been handled, and said I would consider it if I could have proper info. They clarfied a number of points, however these turned out to be incorrect.

During this meeting I was told I would be entering into a period of consultation. At my asking, they stated it would be 2 weeks, start to finish.

The first consultation meeting did not take place until over 3 weeks later. During this meeting I provided a number of suggestions to avoid the redundancy - 6 month trial at the companies expense to see if i am comfortable with the move, working of a fixed term contract in my current location allowing me time to find alternative employment, or transfer to another department still based in surrey.

The final meeting was booked for 22nd December, however I was ill and unable to attend. I was called up that day by my line manager, and told they did not have to complete this meeting and was told of the redundancy over the phone. I advised I would return to work on Friday 24th, and he advised he would arrange for someone to meet with me so i could return company property.

This was not done. On the Friday, HR emailed my personal email with a copy of the redundancy letter, depite be being in the same office as them.
I officially appealed against this decision and also requested to take the 4 week trial at the new location which i believe I am entitled to by law - this was also sent to the HR rep, HR manager, HR Director, my line manager and the MD of the company.

To this day (18th Jan) I have recieved no further contact from my employers. I still have some of their property (mobile phone - this needs to be returned to correct people otheriwse I could be liable).

I've spoken to Acas who dont want to know as I have not been there for 1 year. Because I had not finished my probabtion period, I was only entitled to 2 weeks notice and no redundancy payment.

Whilst I appreciate companies sometimes need to make tough decisons, the manner in which this has been handled has been disgusting, and i fail to believe they had no prior knowledge of the relocation.
I had asked on many occasions for the companies redundancy process in writing, to which they refused. Information given to me has been innaccurate throughout the entire process.

Surely there must be something I can do?

Thanks,

James

shikoku

Not unless they discriminated against you in some way?

Blitz01

Its not great, but nothing illegal has happened either (judging from your post anyway).

Probably should've just upsticks and gone to Staffs.

getmore4less

Are they offering any redundancy package?

If not the best thing to have done would have been to play along with the move while looking for a new job.

Commuting week days, trying to work from home or a local office etc.

Have they actualy got new premisis yet if not this could have taken sometime to actualy move,

They should have offered a 4 week trial try bring that up


The down side to the play along is that if you don't find something you would either have to resign or they would catch on you are not relocating and potentialy get rid other ways that would not look good and stop you getting JSA.