Likely redundancy

unholyangel

And now i'm more worried as i spoke to a staff member from our neighbouring company who was told by another employee from my company that if i didnt accept the reduced hours (which were completely different shift pattern not to mention only for a temporary period), they were going to sack me.

I realise this is heresay but the employee from my company who told her this is friendly with the committee members and he also hinted to me about 2 weeks ago that the company tend to get rid of employees who "cause any bother" before then going on to give an example of a previous employee who was sacked after they reduced her hours - the same employee who took them to an employment tribunal and won not long before i started.

From what i have been advised though, for them to do so and not offer redundancy would amount to unfair dismissal. Its now at the point that i dont want to be here (i think i said in an earlier post that i like my job - i certainly dont now), i'm constantly paranoid about making mistakes in case they use this as an excuse to sack me and to top off my headache that i've had for nearly 3 weeks (and lack of sleep for the same) i've now got constant butterflies and feel sick.

A few of my friends/relatives have commented about how this is out of character for me. I dont worry easily but they way my employers are going about this has (i'll admit it grudgingly as i'm not really one to show emotion) reduced me to tears on several occasions

unholyangel

Wrote a letter in reply but also got the chairman to call me back. Now apparently they arent offering redundancy because they dont want to lose me =/ I think that ship sailed when the office manager threatened not to pay me for 3 weeks if i couldnt give them a decision within 9 hours after already being made aware that their actions had stressed me out to the point i'm on the verge of a break down.

And further sailed when i asked why - if they dont want to lose me - is someone else scheduled to work my shifts? Why am i through on the wages calculations for pay date 4th april on reduced wages and through on pay date 11th april as no wages?

The only reply i got was that it was "nothing to do with them" and everything was the office manager (who happens to now be on holiday for 3 weeks). Surely ignorance isnt innocence when running a company?

This is seriously getting ridiculous now.

unholyangel

Another update but a short one (hopefully).

I got into work last night (not tonight but monday night) and was questioned about my conversation with the chairman by a colleague. Apprently the chairman told him i had said a "male member of staff" had told me. I replied that this isnt what was said to the chairman but that i was more concerned about how he knew the details of a private conversation between myself and the chairman.

Answer? Not 2 hours after i spoke to the chairman on the phone he was in discussing it with him.

I'm trying to hang in but its becoming harder and harder. I'm forgetting things constantly (not sure whether thats the headache, lack of sleep, anxiety or a mixture of all 3) and i feel utterly and completely foolish that anytime i think about the situation or talk about it, i end up welling up. Did i mention how much i hate crying? :rotfl:

I get that "impending doom" feeling whenever i think about coming into work. And although people have offered support and kind words (family, doctor, friends, solicitor etc), i dont like depending on anyone else. This is why i work, so that i am independent and i hate not working and not paying my bills.

And yes i've said it before but i'll say it again. If anyone does have comments or advice, or even to ask questions etc, i would gladly appreciate them, even if its just so i dont feel like i'm talking to myself Then again, i suppose i only need worry if i start answering myself too!

tsstss7

Hi Unholy - I'm following your story so you are not talking to yourself. Unfortunately employment issues aren't my thing so can't offer advice - just my best wishes and hope it all works out for you.

unholyangel

I've ended up walking out. After them writing to me saying from now on all communication was to be in writing only, they came into work tonight as i was about to start my shift and tried to bully me into doing whatever shifts they offer me, telling me i HAVE to do them and that i cannot do my normal shifts as they are diverting the calls and wont be paying me for it anyway.

Now i just feel utterly exhausted.

unholyangel

Just an update, everything has been filed by my lawyer and now i'm just waiting.

Did try ACAS but they offered 2 weeks wages. To be honest, i would have settled for 4 just to get rid of the headache its been giving me but they werent willing to negotiate beyond 2 weeks at all so.....tribunal it was.

My lawyer thinks their defense will be that they offered me alternative hours/shifts - 28 for 2 weeks on dayshift/......and no way of making those hours permanent due to me only being offered those to cover sickness/holidays of other staff members.

I hope the tribunal will agree that a slight reduction in hours for 2 weeks then a major reduction afterwards wasnt reasonable but only time will tell. On the brightside, the job centre screwed up my JSA application and put it through as income based and i had to provide them with all the evidence i had to show i was justified in walking out and they agreed.......which i wasnt expecting so it made me a little more optimistic that i may actually win my case.