Help needed with TUPE move!!!

VikkiJD

Hi,
I work for a company who are transferring our contracts to our parent company under TUPE legislation.

There are around 8 of us involved in the transfer and we have been told that we all have jobs still they are simply in a new location under the new employer

The problem is that I cant drive (I have worked here for 6 years and it has never been an issue or problem for my employers), this new location is a 90 mile round trip every day. I worked out it would take me 3 hours (4 trains, 2 buses and a 20 min walk to even get there).

I also have a 6 year old child who I take to school locally every morning, I agreed with my current employers that I start work at 9:10am to encorporate the school run and I have been doing this for the last 3 years.

The company have given me an ultimatum, I either apply for voluntary redundancy (which they have offered as a goodwill gesture) or they assume I start work at the new location in January. They have offered no solution to my travel issue and simply stated that if I feel I cannot get to the required location they suggest I sumbit my application for redundancy!

Is this fair??

Any help/advice would really be appreciated and please ask questions if I havent explained myself properly!

Thanks
Vikki

getmore4less

If they tranfer the roles the new companyis responsible for the redundacy(being related it makes little difference)

Some would not offer the redundacy and make you fight for it.

They don't have to try to sort out your transport issues.

Another option would be some other suitable alternative roles and you may be flexable on what you consider suitable if you want to keep woking, problem is the new compnay may not have anything near your current location and the existing employer does not have to offer you anything allthough they might if there is something.

Jarndyce

roles!!!!

Andy_L

Your legal choice is redundancy or relocation. Redundancy is not a "goodwill gesture" they are legally obliged to provide it as the job relocation is to far/unsuitable, unless your contract has a mobility obligation.
Were you to take the job then, unless there is something in your contract, they have no legal obligation to pay you relocation/travel expenses.
What do you actually want? I assume you don't want to travel so whats wrong with the offer of redundancy? The only potential issue is if compulsary redundancy is a better package than voluntary

VikkiJD

Jarndyce wrote: »

roles!!!!

Thanks, I hadnt thought of that

VikkiJD

Thanks everyone,
I guess my main issue was the fact that I do want to continue working, redundancy is such a scary prospect and I'm desperate to keep a roof over our heads! I have been applying for jobs in my spare time and have had a few interviews within the company.

I thought that there were still differences between voluntary and compulsary redundancy in regards to benefits and JSA (im thinking of a worst case scenario here) are they teated as the same thing now, I know a while back if you took voluntary redundancy you were not entitled to claim?

The company have now offered everyone travel expenses in the form or 32p a mile for vehicles but nothing for public transport. As you said they didnt have to offer anything.

I guess my option is to find another job and apply for "voluntary" redundancy.

Thanks for replying,