Catch22 - Money or Security (Redundancy)

Tygermoth

We were 'unofficially' told we were going to be made redundant 3 weeks ago. Today was the 'official' announcement.

However we were thrown a bit of a curve ball - they have advised we will not be going until end of September.

This took us all a bit by surprise as all others were PILON/Garden Leave as soon as announced.

I have been hitting the websites/agencies hard looking for a role (have quite a few interviews booked) and suddenly 1. have to give notice 2. will lose out on nice size redundancy payment if I leave.

Best laid plans and all that.

So now I am hovering between staying for the redundancy and eeeekkkk not being able to get a job later on. Or leaving to a less than perfect role to keep a regular salary coming in.

Arrrrhhhggggghhhhhh

SarEl

What is your statutory (not contractual) notice period?

Tygermoth

Is it terrible that i have no idea....:eek:

I have been there 2 years, if thats any help.

SueC_2

Loads of jobs have three month notice periods. If I were you I'd keep on applying for new jobs, but when start dates are discussed say you're on 3 months' notice. That easily gets you to September (or well beyond, assuming that you're not having this conversation with someone today), so you can take your redundancy pay, and start your new job straight away.

I'm sure someone will now point out that you shouldn't lie to a future employer, and morally they will be absolutely right, but it's only a teeny weeny one, that would be SO unlikely to be caught out, that personally I wouldn't worry about it.

OR, if I was worried about lying I'd say something like "Well, contractually I only have to give a month's notice, however now is quite a tough time in our business, so if at all possible I would like to give them a bit more notice so I can be sure of a thorough handover" - demonstrates loyalty to your employer, which your new employer (if they're worth their salt) will recognise and realise will be coming their way as soon as you become their employee.

SarEl

It wouldn't be me saying it's a lie - it's true. Redundant in the future or not - your contract still holds (and you'd expect your employer to hold to it!) so three months notice it is. Just be careful - it wouldn't be the first time I have known an employer to stretch this date, and you could still end up leaving with nothing. They have said when they expect you to go - have they served formal notice? Because until they do then the clock doesn't tick. And even then it can be varied or changed or entirely withdrawn. And you can only leave with your redundancy payment intact during the statutory notice period (two week if you have 2+ years of employment) - not during your contractual notice period.