Re-deployment or Demotion?

Sunflower001

Hi, Hope someone out there can help me. Ive been with my company for 4 years and on Long Term Sick Leave since Feb 2010 under their current Payment Protection Scheme, getting 75% of my annual salary per month paid by their Insurance Company. HR have just informed me that my job is now at risk of redundancy and have said that they may be able to re-deploy me within the business but at a lower level of title, and possible renumeration. What are the legal implications here, can I sue them? Is it just worth accepting another position within the company and still get my Insurance Money plus all my benefits, i.e. Health care and Pension until I retire? I have another 5 years yet to retirement at age 63, so not sure what my best option would be as to this, Anyway, any comments on the above would be most appreciated thanks!

getmore4less

Check the terms of the policy,

If there is no chance of you going back does it kick in for good.

Our old policy worked that way so you were covered even if the company folded.

Jarndyce

Can you sue them? Are you serious? On what grounds?

Given your sick record they are quite able to dismiss you fairly with no redundancy payment or anything. They may still do so even if you accept the offer of alternative employment. They are doing more than is right by you and you should really think yourself lucky that they are. Whether or not you accept the job on offer is down to you but I don't see what choice you have in the circumstances.

Horace

If you have been off sick since Feb 2010, then your employer can dismiss you on capability grounds. They may well have decided to make the post redundant because there is no need for it because the present incumbent has been off sick since 2010 and they have realised that they can manage without that post.

I think they are being fair in offering redeployment - you can be redeployed into any job it does not have to be the same grade that you are on now. You have two choices - either take the redundancy or take the redeployment and have the benefit of sick pay, holiday pay and regular wage - I know which option I would take and it wouldnt be redundancy.

SarEl

What is it with people that the first question they ask is "can I sue them"? Have we become Americans? Whatever happened to "this is my situation and could I have some advice"?

Jarndyce

Horace wrote: »

If you have been off sick since Feb 2010, then your employer can dismiss you on capability grounds. They may well have decided to make the post redundant because there is no need for it because the present incumbent has been off sick since 2010 and they have realised that they can manage without that post.

I think they are being fair in offering redeployment - you can be redeployed into any job it does not have to be the same grade that you are on now. You have two choices - either take the redundancy or take the redeployment and have the benefit of sick pay, holiday pay and regular wage - I know which option I would take and it wouldnt be redundancy.

OP is not being offered redundancy as far as I can see - s/he is being offered an alternative role.

saterkey

To be honest after a year and a bit and your still in a job, your very lucky in this climate. Our company has recently had a redundancy plan put in place which included everyone including the long term sick, so they were as likely for their job to go as anyone else. I would take what is offered or go back to work and fight for your job.

Sunflower001

Thanks for all your replies. I know I have been very fortunate with my Company and I will be looking at various posts and see how it goes.

Pete111

Glad the OP has clarified re that!

Re are we becoming Americans in terms of suing. Anyone else watch that Panorama programme on car insurance? If so then you know the answer...