Dates changed for redundancy- any advice

davecon1

Hello all

Just before Christmas 2012 a number of senior staff were told by the company owners that they planned to sell their retail shop/property and that we would all be made redundant in September. It was not the best of timing to be told the week before Christmas.

That would give us 9 months to find a replacement job although legally we only required a maximum of 3 months as per our contract. We were told that the decision was 100% though this was not officially confirmed in writing although I was instructed by email to stop buying for the season ahead.

As instructed I did not place any orders for the season ahead and instead started to look for a new job/career. As part of this search I looked into relocation and set about renting/selling my house.

Last week we were informed by the owners that the have delayed their decision by 6 months and that it was 100% that we would now close in April, not September. It is now almost impossible to place orders for the season ahead as there is not enough time which has put a huge pressure on me as well as other members of staff as our takings will drop significantly (as will target bonuses).

More to the point I (and others) had mentally prepared to leave the company and whilst I was able to delay renting/selling the house there is no longer any trust within the company.

I'm guessing legally the owners have not done anything wrong but i feel as if I have been completely messed around, as does everyone else, despite the fact we will receive another 6 months salary.

The question is can anything be done? e.g. can i still hold them to the original date in September or is this a form of constructive dismissal as my job has been made near impossible?

Thanks for reading.

getmore4less

If they are selling as a going concern then there is a chance redundancy by the current employer is not relevent as you go with the business or that TUPE may be relevent.

If just closing and selling off the assets then the redundancy may apply.

From what you have said they have just been informing you what might happen.

The alternative is they keep quiet and just tell you the day they shutdown(or a bit sooner depending on how many employed)

It's their business to run how they want.

Untill you are given notice there is little you can do but to continue to be employed or get another job.