Redundancy Advice

GILL635

Hi Guys


I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice, or advise me as to where the best place to go for advice is.

I have worked for the same company for almost 2 years, and I have to say I love my job.

Christmas week, I received a phone call from my employer to advise me that my ''team'' and therefore my role are at risk of redundancy. He did this by reading out a letter that was to be sent to me, and during the conversation actually used the phrase blah blah and ect ect! As I said, this was received via a telephone call, as I was on my days off (we work a 4 on 4 off pattern)

When back in work a few days later, our first meetings took place. Present were the MD, and the ''HR'' lady. I say it in speech marks, as she is not actually a qualified HR person at all. Lovely though she is, she is actually in an administration type role, but does the wages, holidays, and meeting minutes for the company. Anything that actually requires HR (such as disciplinary procedures) is outsourced to another company that come in.

The meeting that took place basically consisted of them asking us 2 questions. We were then told that we would find out at some point of the start of January, as to what was happening next. Everyone that went in (there are 9 of us in total) had questions that we asked, however they were unable to answer them and advised us that they would get back to us when they had spoken to the outsourced company. We were also told that a secondary meeting would be made with each of us after Christmas - we work 365 days a year, although the ''support staff'' don't work bank holidays or Christmas.

At present, we still have no idea what is happening and no second meetings have been arranged.

We have asked questions such as how many people will be made redundant ? When will we find out any more information ? When will those effected be advised / be finishing ? What will the new shift system be ? What criteria will be used during the selection process ? etc. None of these questions have been answered - despite being told to ask if we had any questions.

We currently know nothing, and are in a state of limbo. I don't know when my next meeting will be, and when asking I get told we're not sure. I've updated my CV, and have started to look around for work however I feel like I can't really do much as I don't know what is happening. I want to start applying for jobs, but I can't even tell people if I'm definitely being made redundant or when I will be available to work from.

I'm terrified about what happens if I lose my job. With the rising costs of living at the minute, I'm worried about what will happen to my home. I live alone in a property that I have a mortgage on - others have partners and children at home (which I know shouldn't be used in the selection criteria, but everyone seems to think it will be taken into account if you have children to support), presently my wages cover my bills and debts and leave me with a small amount ''spare'' each month. I'll do any job to bring money in if need be, but I'm going to be looking at a massive paycut (looking at the jobs out there), and I'm terrified as if I lose my job then I'm at risk of losing my home and have nowhere else to live.

I hope I've given people enough information to go on - if not then please ask any questions and I will answer them.

I'm hoping people can give me advice as to what sort of criteria can and can't be used in the redundancy process, as well as to what sort of questions I should be asking, and what I should be expecting from my employer right now.

The fact that I genuinely love my job makes it even more gutting.


Thanks in Advance


Gill x

SarEl

I'm afraid that you aren't getting (m)any answers because you are expecting too much of us. I think we all aprreciate that it's hard when in this position, but we can't fill in the gaps left by the employer not having confirmed details yet, and we can't tell you what they can and can't do in a vaccuum - it's a huge topic! I would suggest that you google - you'll find more than enough information about redundancy processes, and come back either with sepcific questions or information from the employer you want to clarify.

GILL635

Thanks for the reply!

I guess I'm just hoping someone can advise me as to what kind of timeframe we should be expecting updates in, what can and can't be used as deciding criteria etc.

Since I last posted, 1 staff member has left and has also been advised to file a grievance procedure against another staff member. I have just tried to speak to the MD (who advised to come straight to him with any questions as his door was always open) to ask if he knew when we would receive a further update (it's like nothings ever happened), and he said ''we are currently banging together selection criteria''. I asked him if he knew when we would know what they would be, and he just sat and stared at me like I'd done something horrendous!

It's horrible! I've tried to register with a couple of agencies over the last few days (purely so I have a back up plan in place), but because of the amount of work that goes into a registration, they won't put me on the books until I know what's happening.

Its my life they're messing about with here, and its really starting to feel like they can't be bothered keeping us informed of anything


xxx