Very sudden redundancy?

Frankie.

Hello,

I started working at a business in January 2013. On Monday, out of absolutely nowhere, my boss calls me in with my supervisor. He tells us he's running out of money and one of us has to go. He said he will tell us who by the end of the day. I knew it would be me for the chop because she's been working there nine years.

About four hours later I was called back into the meeting room alone. He denied the "last in, first out" excuse and then went on to contradict himself by stating that I'd been there for the shortest amount of time compared to others. He then gave me my redundancy letter and told me I should probably leave right away, giving me a very awkward, emotional and humiliating exit.

I work (worked) in the creative/tech/admin section where my work performance has always been good, yet I take the punishment for the poor performance of the sales team, none of whom have been given a redundancy yet. Couldn't get anymore unfair really.

People keep telling me that a 30 day consultancy had to be conducted and I should have been notified way in advanced of this. None of that happened. I was told on the day, decision made on the day, left same day. So I've been turfed out with one week's wages in my pocket (which I don't get until the end of the month) and I'm forced to sign on ASAP.

Has my ex-boss conducted this redundancy properly and legally?

Thanks for reading!

getmore4less

You only had 1 week notice in your contract?

Frankie.

Oh, I never got a contract. And I wasn't told of any notice period at all. I was told "You might as well leave now."

zaax

You can be sacked for no reason within two years

superbigal36

No consultation period required for 1 person going.
Does nobody ever ask for a written contract these day ?

RobotsinDisguse

Be clear on whether it is Redundancy (with redundancy pay, notice etc) or whether you were sacked (out on your ear right away), as it will affect your right to claim jobseekers.
Maybe ask on the CAB page here or go you your local Citizens Advice Beuro.

FatVonD

I believe that once the 30 day consultation period has been entered into a decision can be made at any point, they don't need to wait until the end of the 30 days.

p00hsticks

I'm afraid that, as other posters have said, it sounds all correct. No consultation period is required if you're making less than 20 people redundant, and as you've been there less than two years your employer can let you go for any reason they want providing it doesn't legally class as discrimination (i.e. on grounds of race, gender etc).

As you've been there less than two years you're entitled to one weeks notice, and your employer has paid you this in lieu of this.