My role is at risk of redudancy... less than 2 months after 2 graduates were hired

avacado

Hi all, I got recommended to post on this forum by a family member.

Where to start?

I'm 26, an MSc graduate and have been at this food company for 15 months. I will have 3 years experience in food NPD this December.

My manager that hired me stepped down at christmas to begin the transition to retirement. The new manager who was brought in, I feel took a disliking to me, and this culminated in a disciplinary hearing at the end of May. I countered all the points with hard evidence (vs hearsay) but was given a verbal written warning relating to my "performance and capability".

I immediately appealed this, citing the reasons from company handbook that the (1) disciplinary process had not been fairly followed , and (2) in which case the punishment was excessive in respect of the recorded crime.

Anyway, after a long wait my appeal hearing finally rolled around this past friday. It was with the HR director and my bosses boss. They began the meeting saying we apologise to not go straight into your appeal but some other company business has come to head.

They went into some drivel about sales growth not meeting targets etc, and that in cost saving measures they were looking at 11 redundancies across the business, and low and behold the 1 from my department would be my role.

I'm not shocked, because I got the feeling my manager probably wants me out, what i'm concerned about is how they can justify it. The company is a £150 million turnover operation, has just opened an international office, and has been heavily recruiting in the past months, including 2 graduates who have started less than 2 months ago, and 1 further lower experiences person a month before that. Other departments have been hiring plenty of new people also.

I'm just wondering how they can have inexperienced graduates still in their probation period, seen as more valuable then someone who has been there for much longer, and my industry standards I wouldn't say I'm below average on the salary scale for my experience and qualifications.

Obviously my manager will have had something to do with this, and since the disciplinary I have been actively seeking new roles, but summer is probably not the best time for this industry. I'm worried i'm going to be let go and not have time to get anything lined up, and that as i've not been there 2 years I have no rights.

As a department, there is about 20 people, and the structure is pretty flat, one manager, one supervisor, 18 technologists/assisstants.

One technologist recently moved sideways into a related role, I am well versed in all of his responsibilities and have been handed his accounts. Yet one of the graduates that brought it was referred to as his "replacement".

As a candidate profile, i've got the highest level food qualification in the department, middle experience levels, and in 15 months I have never taken any sick or bereavement leave. Also of the 20 persons, only 3 are men , me one of them.

I basically need to do what I can to fight this and hold on as long as possible to get another job. Just any advice relating to all this would be very usefull as i haven't got a clue what is going to happen at the consultation.

Thanks for reading.

Joe

Southend1

You need to talk to your union ASAP to check the proper consultations have been carried out and processes followed.

If you are made redundant, in a large company redeployment should be a viable option to consider. Again your union rep will be able to help you with this.

avacado

I dont believe we have a union.

I've looked into Unite, but seeing as i got this news friday, and the consultation is monday, it doesn't give me time to join/arrange representation.

Southend1

avacado wrote: »

I dont believe we have a union.

I've looked into Unite, but seeing as i got this news friday, and the consultation is monday, it doesn't give me time to join/arrange representation.

Ask colleagues if they are union members. If this affects others its possible they are already representing some members and may include you if you join now. Though unions often have a policy that they won't represent on issues that arise before you become a member, so it's not guaranteed.

If not maybe get some advice from an employment solicitor or CAB

avacado

The other 10 jobs at risk are across the business, out of hundreds, i'm not sure who they are and would I have the right to find out?

Whats going against me most, is most people probably have managers fighting their corner, where as I have a manager would probably love to get rid of me and then hire someone else in 6 months when things "pick up"

barba

Can you eloborate what the discipline was about?

If I'm being honest you sound like a bit of a trouble maker

zzzLazyDaisy

I only read as far as 'I have been at this company for 15 months'....

Please tell us the exact start date, as this will affect the advice given.

Southend1

barba wrote: »

Can you eloborate what the discipline was about?

If I'm being honest you sound like a bit of a trouble maker

If I'm being honest you sound like someone who judges others too readily.

What has OP mentioned that leads you to the conclusion he's a trouble maker?

OP came here for advice not to be judged.

avacado

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I only read as far as 'I have been at this company for 15 months'....

Please tell us the exact start date, as this will affect the advice given.

My start date was April 30th 2012, unfortunately after the 6th which i've now found out.



Barba - if you're interested. In February my 3 year old Niece died abroad from leukemia after finally getting a transplant in December. The shock to the family was huge and I took no time off for bereavement or stress and stayed to carry on with my work . My manager said if there is anything they can do to support let them know. Weeks later my brother who lost his daughter came home from abroad where it all happened, my mum had car trouble and asked me if i could take a day off short notice to help with the pick up at the airport. My manager denied this, even though she lets other people take time off short notice all the time. A few weeks later my supervisor pulled me into the office to say i was working slow and lacking enthusiasm (mind was very preoccupied)

In May I requested my summer holiday dates to coordinate with other members of my family, these were denied. A company presentation needed an early start so someone had to volunteer, I deliberately didn't go out of my way to volunteer, but when asked by email if i could go i said yes. I made the mistake of saying to a colleague I would have volunteered quicker had my holiday dates not been denied (again). He reported this to the manager, and in my opinion this formed the basis of the disciplinary, saying i've had a bad attitude since march . Of course I denied this as its one word vs another.

zzzLazyDaisy

avacado wrote: »

My start date was April 30th 2012, unfortunately after the 6th which i've now found out.

Unfortunately, as you will now have realised, this means that the employer can dismiss you for no reason* and you have no legal right of redress.

*the exception being if the real reason is unlawful discrimination on the grounds of a protected characteristic, but nothing you have said so far suggests this.

By all means continue to negotiate with your employer to save your job, but seeing as you don't (legally) have a leg to stand on, you might want to adopt a more conciliatory approach.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

D

laurel7172

Reading between the lines, it's possible that you have acquired a reputation for sulking/dragging your feet when you don't get your way. You also seem to think your higher qualifications entitle you some sort of privilege, yet they're no good to the company if you're on a sullen go-slow.

Only you know whether this is an accurate representation or not. But if there is any truth to it at all, I suggest you admit that you now realise you have been preoccupied by the tragic death in your family and profess eagerness to show willing from now on. It might be enough, if you're lucky.