HR meeting tomorrow - what are my rights?

vcb1981

Hi

So, I have a HR meeting tomorrow to discuss company changes that will affect my role, as have all of my team although I am in a meeting on my own (different roles I guess).

If they tell me my role is being made redundant, but there are similar roles I can apply for on other sites, what are my rights with regards to taking redundancy? If there are similar roles that i could apply for, do I have to take them or I can I ask to be made redundant?

Sorry if this seems like a silly question, its just that I have been thinking of leaving due to not being happy and would rather be made redundant than start in a whole new role. I just want to be prepared before the meeting happens as to what i can or cant say!

I should mention that the company i work for is doing fine, it will just be our section of the company

Thanks people

shikoku

I know where you are coming from; I was made redundant from a well known UK charity (along with all of my colleagues) about 15 years ago, most of us were grinning ear to ear as the announcement was made because we had all been sitting it out waiting for just this.

Apart that is from one or two disappointed toadies who as I recall spent most of that meeting incredulously shouting at a smirking management team 'you lied to us!!!'.

Quelle surprise!

Happy days...

PS I am sure someone will give you a proper answer shortly, it just that your post stirred up an amusing memory for me.

zzzLazyDaisy

First (and most important) question. How many completed years have you worked for the company.

Second question - are you likely to get an enhanced redundancy payment, or will it be statutory redundancy pay only?

To be honest, you are probably better going to the meeting, finding out what tey have to say, and then coming back here for information once you know the deal. They won't (shouldn't!) expect you to make a decision there and then, and it would be normal for them to schedule another meeting for a few days later to give you time to think about it.

vcb1981

Ok. I have been with them for 2.5 years but have been passed from job to job! This company with def give me the standard statuatary pay (def no extras) so i know I will only get £760 or soemthing like that, I guess I am thinking of me and thinking it would be alot easier if I was made redundant for interviews, etc

zzzLazyDaisy

From 1st feb 2011 the max SRP is £400 a week (so you would get your gross weekly salary x2, subject to the £400 limit)

Also, if you are not required to work your notice you would get a lump sum payment in lieu of notice which is normally (not always) paid without deduction of tax and national insurance.

You should also check if you are owed any outstanding holiday pay.

With regard to alternative roles on other sites - you are entitled to ask for a trial period of 4 weeks before deciding whether or not to accept the alternative position. If you do not accept, you would be made redundant on the same terms as you would have been had you chosen to take redundancy straight away.

Some alternative roles may be deemed 'suitable alternative employment' which means that if you refuse to move to the new role, you may forfeit your redundancy pay. However this is a complicated area, legally, and most employers don't seek to rely on this, so I suggest that you just file that bit of knowledge and don't worry about it unless/until it is raised by your employer (which it probably won't be).