Redundancy Help needed

jingofin

I have recently gone through a period of "recruitment and selection" at work. They basically changed our job titles and asked us all to reapply for the new job titles. I wasn't selected, despite 6 years of doing the job to a high standard they said I wasn't up to scratch based on my interview.

I am now on paid gardening leave and being offered a voluntary redundancy package. It doesn't feel voluntary but I am being pressured to accept it. I was told I would be offered alternative positions if any arise but none have been offered to me.

I have just found out that there are 2 jobs being readvertised, the same ones I was asked to interview for in the first place but I have not been contacted about these and they have not been offered to me. They may have a different job title but they are exactly the same duties that I have been doing for the last 6 years.

The redundancy package is statutory and seems fair and I don't want to risk losing it but I also don't like the way they have gone about getting rid of me.

I have done my job to a high standard, have a spotless attendance record and had zero disciplinaries. I did however raise a grievance about a previous supervisor last year due to their unprofessional behaviour and I can't help but feel this is some kind of revenge.

What are my options? I don't want to go back and work where I'm not wanted and I want to take the Voluntary Redundancy package but I also don't want them to get away with unfair practices.

It's a very large company and it would be daunting to challenge them to forcefully.

hellokitty08

some times these things are based on interviews scores. You may need a certain score to be offered the position. It doesnt matter that you can actually do the job, because they will say they cant take that in to account if its all do to the interview result.

Its happened to people I know. I had to see them lose their jobs, even though they were great at it, when other people who werent so good at the actual job, but who were better in the interview stayed. (madness if you ask me)
They claim its all in the realms of keeping things fair.

zzzLazyDaisy

jingofin wrote: »

What are my options? I don't want to go back and work where I'm not wanted and I want to take the Voluntary Redundancy package but I also don't want them to get away with unfair practices.

I am sorry to tell you this, but pragmatically, there is not a lot you can do.

Why? Because your only real options are to apply for the vacancies now that you have become aware of them and/or to lodge a formal Grievance about how you have been treated. Either way, you run the risk of your 'voluntary' redundancy being withdrawn and you being given alternative employment within the organisation (which is clearly not what you want).

So you need to decide what your priority is - taking the redundancy package, or challenging them on their procedures and decisions.

If your priority is to take the money and leave, you may need to accept the fact that they 'got away' with shabby treatment, but you 'got away' with being paid to leave an employer who you no longer wish to work for anyway.

jingofin

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

If your priority is to take the money and leave, you may need to accept the fact that they 'got away' with shabby treatment, but you 'got away' with being paid to leave an employer who you no longer wish to work for anyway.

You talk a lot of sense my friend. I think you're right, I was wanting my cake and to eat it too. Ideally I want to take the pay off, then question why I wasn't offered either of the 2 vacancies after, but there is probably little or no reward in that.

I'll draw a line under it, spend some of the package drowning my sorrows on a beach in the Med somewhere then come home and start again. Could be worse, they could have given me the job lol.

starson79

jingofin wrote: »

You talk a lot of sense my friend.

I'll draw a line under it, spend some of the package drowning my sorrows on a beach in the Med somewhere then come home and start again. Could be worse, they could have given me the job lol.

I like this! Well done! :T