Can we be stopped for going for available Jobs in another area?

pauljohnjames1979

At present I work on a transport site in the North West. As the site is being closed at the request of the customer all drivers and office staff are at risk of redundancy. They are to start a small hub in Yorkshire to accommodate the work load from the North West site.
We have been told in consultations that the jobs available over in Yorkshire are not available for us (drivers/office staff) to apply for?
Is the company allowed to do this and make us all redundant or should we be given the opportunity to relocate to cover off these jobs?

warmhands.coldheart

They cannot say they are not available to you. They may ask that you apply for these jobs like everyone else would have to do however I'm sure that when under threat of redundancy, an employer is duty bound to make every effort to find suitable alternative employment for you if possible. In this case it is possible so in theory they should if not offer you, allow you to apply for these roles. If they do not accept you application for these roles then they are discriminating against you...

getmore4less

how many preople are involved.

if enough(20+) for collective consultation it is something the reps should be dealing on behalf of the employees.

JimmyTheWig

Confused that it's at the request of a customer?
Is the implication that there is a problem with the staff at your site?

Dirk_Gently_2

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Confused that it's at the request of a customer?
Is the implication that there is a problem with the staff at your site?

Maybe the customer's business/business model is changing so they need drivers in different locations?

pauljohnjames1979

getmore4less wrote: »

how many preople are involved.

if enough(20+) for collective consultation it is something the reps should be dealing on behalf of the employees.

As we are the office and management part of the business unfortunately we do not have union representation.

getmore4less

pauljohnjames1979 wrote: »

As we are the office and management part of the business unfortunately we do not have union representation.

If more than 20 and no current reps in place(union or workforce) then they need to hold elections and appoint reps from the work force as part of the consultation process.

they might need 1 from each sub group, eg. mangement, office, drivers.

pauljohnjames1979

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Maybe the customer's business/business model is changing so they need drivers in different locations?

I understand that the customer needs to relocate the vehicles elsewhere but was looking for any type of clarification as to if the company is correct in not letting us go for the jobs that have been relocated. From my understanding if we are being made redundant then surely if work is available in another location then this should be highlighted to us in the consultation process?

Dirk_Gently_2

I'd certainly suggest that as the very minimum you ask for clarification of this point - and if that's the case ask for justification on why at-risk staff can't apply for those roles?

Don't forget consultation is (or should be) a two-way dialogue, with the aaim of trying to avoid redundancies if possible, rather than just the company telling staff the way it is.

warmhands.coldheart

pauljohnjames1979 wrote: »

I understand that the customer needs to relocate the vehicles elsewhere but was looking for any type of clarification as to if the company is correct in not letting us go for the jobs that have been relocated. From my understanding if we are being made redundant then surely if work is available in another location then this should be highlighted to us in the consultation process?

Exactly !!

patman99

What a strange situation where a customer can dictate to a service supplier that they need to close a site down and relocate.

I'll make the assumption that the transport company has made the classic error of allowing 1 customer to supply it with more than 50% of it's business and is now at that customers mercy.