Redundancy Annouced whilst on sick leave

biggaz26

Thanks again.

I have a question about the change over from one job to another at redundancy.

Ive recently red the following

The first 4 weeks of the new job will be a trial period. During this time or when the 4 weeks have finished the employee can still leave the job and claim dismissal and redundancy pay. The employer and employee can agree a longer trial period for the new job if they want, the 4 weeks is the minimum period.

Is this correct because its the first I've heard of it and if it is are my previous employers obliged to tell me as no one did.

Also if the selection to make me redundant was made before I went to have a leg op were they obligated to inform me at the earliest possible time so that my chances of finding alternative employment were not made harder. As for most of the consultation period I was officially sick and unable to drive.

Thanks again in advance

zzzLazyDaisy

We need more information, because there is no point in advising on 'what ifs'.

Did the employer offer you another post as an alternative to being made redundant? Did you refuse that post as being unsuitable? Was the post significantly different from the job you had previously been doing? Might you have given a different answer if you had know you could have given it a go for four weeks before making a final decision? Do you still want to go back and give the new job a try for four weeks to see if you want to stay there doing that job? Are you willing to pay back your redundancy pay and return to working for the employer on that basis? If so then the issue of trial periods may be relevant.

Re the selection for redundancy - there are no hard and fast rules about when the redundancy situation must be announced. Basically, they have an obligation to give you sufficient advanced warning of the possibility of redundancy and to follow a fair consultation procedure. The fact that you had a 30 day consultation period would suggest that the employer has met this requirement. The fact that you were off sick during most of the consultation period isn't really relevant, as long as they did in fact follow the correct procedure.

biggaz26

They provided my with a vacancies list every Monday. Most of the ones I expressed interest in were already filled.

One role was of interest but was a large pay cut c£10k per year.

At no point was I offered a role I was advised that I had to apply for the jobs and go through the standard recruitment process.

I couldn't go back now even if I wanted to as I have been offered a new job elsewhere and am due to start on 22/4. However this job is at a much lower salary than I was previously on and involves a lot less benefits, (no car, health care etc)

It also involves a 2 hour round trip to and from work.

Does that help?

thanks again!!!!