Redundancy / Different sites

wifeanddaughter

The company my husband works for is being bought and there are three other sites. The function he works for is staying put and the other sites will be closed. However, his function is also done by people in the other sites.

Can anyone advise me what are the rules around redundancy? If it is the other sites closing will they be made redundant because of the location or are they likely to look at everyone in the function regardless of which location they work at? He has only been there six months and therefore has little employment rights so i am feeling slightly anxious!

Anyone know what the rules around shutting sites is? Thanks for any advice or feedback from anyone been in a similar situation.

Ewarwoowar2

Generally speaking, the pool of people at risk should include all of those doing a similar job/whose skills are the same.

From what you've said, the company SHOULD look across the sites, rather than just sacking the employees at the site closing down.Whether the will do this is another matter. Companies are often ignorant of employment law.

This issue should have been discussed on consultation. Did they consult with your other half? If not, did they consult with the employees at the other site? A company will usually consult with those employees at risk of redundancy ie those who will be included in the scoring exercise.

anamenottaken

How far distant are the other sites? Is it likely that anyone working there would want to re-locate? Is your OH the only person employed to do the role at his site or is it a number of people doing the same sort of tasks?

wifeanddaughter

Thanks for the replies.

Sites are around 300 miles apart. They are only consulting with the other sites (so far). People at other places are doing parts of husband's job but there isn't a direct comparator. Generally they have the same job titles but it isn't exactly the same job - though to be fair they could probably all change jobs if that was the case.

From what I understand the other sites have been asked to form consultation committees - his site already has one of these but they haven't had redundancies at this site discussed.

I know they are currently using a lot of consultants (HR and legal) so I should imagine that they are compliant with the law.

Thanks again

Ewarwoowar2

wifeanddaughter wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Sites are around 300 miles apart. They are only consulting with the other sites (so far).

From that information, I'd guess your other half is safe. If they were planning to look at redundancies across the sites, the company would be consulting with all sites.

isplumm

wifeanddaughter wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.



I know they are currently using a lot of consultants (HR and legal) so I should imagine that they are compliant with the law.

Thanks again

Wouldn't be so sure - when I was getting made redundant - I checked the rules on-line - thought the company was not following the rules - so saw an employment lawyer who agreed with me - sent formal letter to company - who responded back saying that part of law did not apply to them - my lawyer was astonished at their response - would have gone to court, but they found me another job 2 days before redunancy!

Mark