Mutually Agreed Resignation - Benefit Entitlement Query

MsBooty

Please note: this post is also on the Citizens Advise Bureau thread - as desperately need as much info from those in the know or anyone who has been or is in the same situation

I work for the NHS and the Trust I work for are going through yet another restructure

We have been informed about the MAR (Mutually Agreed Resignation) scheme and I am contemplating this. However we have a deadline of the end of the year for applications and I do not think that I will find suitable/alternative employment within this short period.

Therefore I need to know whether I would be entitled to any benefits or is the MAR scheme classed the same as voluntary redundancy/resignation where you are not entitled to benefit for 6 months? Also if my application was accepted, would I have to work my notice of 4 weeks?

thanks in advance for any advice/help

firesidemaid

A couple of thoughts. How long have you worked for the NHS and how likely is it that you will be made redundant proper at a future date?

How rewarding is the MARS scheme on offer? Proper redundancy is more like a month's salary per year of service.

Although you have to apply by the end of this year, does that mean that you also have to go by then?

I am assuming that your manager will let you go ie. as usually the post cannot be refilled.

You usually get to chat to a financial advisor as part of the scheme to discuss all the terms and conditions etc before you (and your employer) make final decsions.

Also, after reading another thread i think that redundancy is redundancy for benefit purposes, you do not have to mention it is voluntary.

MsBooty

firesidemaid wrote: »

A couple of thoughts. How long have you worked for the NHS and how likely is it that you will be made redundant proper at a future date?

How rewarding is the MARS scheme on offer? Proper redundancy is more like a month's salary per year of service.

Although you have to apply by the end of this year, does that mean that you also have to go by then?

I am assuming that your manager will let you go ie. as usually the post cannot be refilled.

You usually get to chat to a financial advisor as part of the scheme to discuss all the terms and conditions etc before you (and your employer) make final decsions.

Also, after reading another thread i think that redundancy is redundancy for benefit purposes, you do not have to mention it is voluntary.

Thank you for your reply.

I have worked for the NHS nearly 20years but this current employer – 6yrs. MARS scheme offers half or the proper redundancy. I am not being made redundant I am wanting to leave as I have been affected negatively financially (amongst other ways) in the last restructure and have had virtually 99.9% confirmation that as much as my pay will not be reduced in a new position, I will be doing the workload of a higher band/paid person – which is not on!!

I never knew that you get to talk to a financial adviser. We had a letter on wageslips which mentioned the scheme, told us to apply to line manger by end of Dec. no more no less

I have just read the website and it says “ MAR scheme is not a redundancy or a voluntary redundancy” – it is a resignation but mutually agreed, so my understanding is non-entitlement to benefit but I am unsure

Sambucus_Nigra

firesidemaid wrote: »

How rewarding is the MARS scheme on offer? Proper redundancy is more like a month's salary per year of service.

Do you mean week's salary not month's?

firesidemaid

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Do you mean week's salary not month's?

Well, i though that too, but recently i found this quote:

Summary of current NHS redundancy arrangements


The current NHS redundancy arrangements came into effect on 1 October 2006. Any staff made redundant should receive one month’s pay per year of continuous service, with a maximum of 24 months’ pay.

from the website: http://www.nhsemployers.org/payandcontracts/agendaforchange/nhs-redundancy/pages/nhs-redundancy.aspx

let me know if i have misunderstood.

firesidemaid

OP, does the MARS scheme not cover ALL of your NHS service, or do you have a significant break?

Do you expect to go back into the NHS at some time? Are you under the old or new pension scheme?

Bradden

firesidemaid wrote: »

Well, i though that too, but recently i found this quote:

Any staff made redundant should receive one month’s pay per year of continuous service, with a maximum of 24 months’ pay.

Wow.. .. I dread to think how much "restructuring" has cost over the past few years.

MsBooty

firesidemaid wrote: »

OP, does the MARS scheme not cover ALL of your NHS service, or do you have a significant break?

Do you expect to go back into the NHS at some time? Are you under the old or new pension scheme?

AS far as I am aware it only covers current employment not all of NHS service ( I have worked for 4 different Trusts in total)

I do not think I will go back into the NHS at no longer has the job security it used to have amongst other things like - under paid/over worked staff, reduced quality of patient care (I am admin but speak from what I see/hear)

I am under the old pension scheme

firesidemaid - what you have quoted re redundancy is correct,MARS is half of that.

firesidemaid

I would check the MARS rules re. 'reckonable service' when it comes to the no of years you are entitled to. I would have imagined that the reckonable service rules would be the same as normal redundancy, but see below:

http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/Mutually-Agreed-Resignation-Scheme/Pages/FAQs-Mutually-Agreed-Resignation-Scheme.aspx


Does any of your NHS service have a break of more than a year?

You are right in that MARS is not being made redundant as such and therefore you will be classed as leaving your job for benefits purposes - but the above link gives you lots of help and info and a benefits no to ring.

It also states that even if you apply under the MARS scheme you can withdraw at any time up until you sign on the dotted line. I am assuming that there can be some negotiation over a leaving date.

I ask about your pension, as currently if you leave the old NHS scheme and rejoin AFTER 5 years then you have to join the new scheme.

I have nearly 24 years in nhs, but potentially too am at risk but over a longer time frame, although our trust has previously offered all the VRS.

Good luck x

firesidemaid

Hi, me again.

If you google MARS NHS scheme Reckonable Service, you will find details of many other schemes where the Reckonable service includes ALL NHS service where there is no break greater than a year.

I hope this applies to you. Even if it doesn't, i would still try and negotiate;)

MsBooty

firesidemaid wrote: »

I would check the MARS rules re. 'reckonable service' when it comes to the no of years you are entitled to. I would have imagined that the reckonable service rules would be the same as normal redundancy, but see below:

http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/Mutually-Agreed-Resignation-Scheme/Pages/FAQs-Mutually-Agreed-Resignation-Scheme.aspx


Does any of your NHS service have a break of more than a year?

You are right in that MARS is not being made redundant as such and therefore you will be classed as leaving your job for benefits purposes - but the above link gives you lots of help and info and a benefits no to ring.

It also states that even if you apply under the MARS scheme you can withdraw at any time up until you sign on the dotted line. I am assuming that there can be some negotiation over a leaving date.

I ask about your pension, as currently if you leave the old NHS scheme and rejoin AFTER 5 years then you have to join the new scheme.

I have nearly 24 years in nhs, but potentially too am at risk but over a longer time frame, although our trust has previously offered all the VRS.

Good luck x

thanks for all this info and for the link. I am only looking at years with this Trust but if they look at more than that, its a bonus. since you mentioned the old/new pension, have sent an email to payroll to double check.

I contacted my union rep for info/advise on the scheme but was told as they do not agree with it & would not advise it, they cannot advise on it

I have posted on the citizens advise thread (no reply to date), have emailed my local CAB & job centers (as getting through on the phone is a nightmare) so hopefully I will get answers to benefit entitlement.

thanks for your advise/info, much appreciated