Entitled to redundancy pay if offered another job role?

kitkatt1982

Hi, I was just wondering... If a job role within a company is no longer needed and the employee was offered a different job within the same company which was lower paid, more unsociable hours and more stressful (in the employee's opinion) to that which they were originally contracted to do, would this be deemed as grounds for redundancy and would the employee be entitled to redundancy pay either if they declined the alternative job or if they took the job? Can't seem to find any info on this, all I can seem to find is that redundancy is not payable if another 'suitable' job is offered. This is quite ambiguous as surely whether it is 'suitable' or not depends on the person doing the job! Would a pay-cut and change of hours be regarded as a valid reason for the job role being 'unsuitable'? And if the job was taken would the employee still qualify for redundancy pay as they have still taken the pay-cut? Many thanks for advice on the matter.

caeler

The change of hours, lesser pay and change of status (more stress) makes this new role sound like it is not a suitable alternative. If you agreed to take it you would not receive redundancy compensation but because it isn't a suitable alternative then you can't be forced to take it. Consider carefully, although the new job is on less pay, redundancy compensation doesn't last forever and maybe a redeployment and opportunity to remain with the employer is still a good option.

kitkatt1982

Hi, thanks for the advice, this is in relation to a friend of mine who currently works abroad all week, and does not yet know that this is going to happen although with the current climate of the job he does it is likely. I have read that people facing redundancy may have time off to search for another job, but do you know how he would stand with this? I.e. If he were to take time off to search for another job, attend interviews during the week etc, he would not be able to continue his current job, as I said he is currently based abroad. The new job would be based in the Uk, hence the pay cut. So.. if offered the new job, would he still be allowed time off to 'consider his options' before commiting to the new job, even though this would mean he was unable to continue his duties in current job? Sorryy but I'm completely confused by all the legislation!! Thanks for any advice