Halfords problems

2sq

Hi there

My dad works for halfords. He put in for a store transfer 5 months ago as we were moving to a different area. Unfortunately, our chain has now collapsed (nothing to do with us) so we will be unable to move. However, the store where he works have already interviewed for his position (sales and fitting) and have filled it. HR are saying that they might not be able to keep him and have told him he might have To go, which is impossible unless they want to pay for a two hour commute. Surely they have to offer him some sort of suitable employment, surely they just can't get rid of him when it's not his fault everything's gone wrong. We cant afford for him to lose his job! Any views or help on this one?

paddedjohn

How is any of this mess Halfords fault?

2sq

I'm not saying it is. But they must have a ethical/legal duty to help their employees who are facing problems that aren't the employees fault either.

paddedjohn

Not really, your father asked for a transfer and it looks like they have arranged it and got a replacement for him, not their fault your dads plans have changed.

Pennywise

It would also be unfair on the person who's been given your Dad's job if they kept your Dad and told the other person there was no job after it's been offered and accepted.

Your Dad needs to start talking to HR and asking if there are any jobs in other stores less than 2 hours away as a temporary measure - that's the best that Halfords can do to help. Halfords now have to fill another vacancy at the store 2 hours away if your Dad doesn't go.

None of this is Halford's fault. Why do you think they should pay for his travelling time?

Annisele

The employer isn't "getting rid of him".

Your Dad requested a transfer, which the employer agreed to. The employer is happy to continue to employ your Dad, so long as he turns up at the store he's (now) contracted to work in.

If your Dad can't or won't fulfil his contract, by going to the two-hour-away store, the employer is quite within its rights to take disciplinary action - up to and including dismissal.

And I don't think the employer does have an ethical or a legal duty to help your Dad out. It might be prepared to arrange a temporary transfer to another store - but knowing your Dad is likely to want to move again soon, that's unlikely to be attractive to the employer.

Is your Dad still wanting to move to the new area once the house is sold? If so, could he take up the job in the two-hour-away store and stay with friends/family for a bit?

2sq

Right, the budget was good enough to allow him to keep his job. In fact, they said that they actually wanted to keep him and asked him whether he would be interested in an upcoming department managers post!

eschaton

2sq wrote: »

Right, the budget was good enough to allow him to keep his job. In fact, they said that they actually wanted to keep him and asked him whether he would be interested in an upcoming department managers post!

Think I read this morning that profits were down 25% - expect the budgets to change....