Redundancy with no candidate pool

addyme

Hi all, long time lurker here, but finally signed up. I need some help.

I work for a large corporation in the UK, in a global capacity - for privacy sake, I'll title this role as a "web designer", that I've done for a number of years now - I'm actually the longest running employee in my team. Over the years there has been a discrepancy in job titles, for instance, there is a "web and print designer" who also does my role. There are "contractors" and "Coordinators" who also do "print design". All other "designers" are US based. Not to mention, I've done a lot of print work (only up until 2 months ago did I stop).

A number of weeks a go I was informed that my role would be up for possible redundancy, and during the course of my consultation meetings I've disputed the fact that my role is a unique UK based role. And that the candidate pool should also include the 'web and print designer' During this time, they have changed the title of the "web and print designer" to just "print designer". They're argument is that there is no longer a need for a UK based web designer.

The reality is, we work globally with all our other offices, in Australia, Singapore, Dubai, US, etc. And if anything, my timezone has it's advantages over the US, if Dubai make a request, I can pick the job up far quicker than the "web and print designer" in the US.

So I've hit a brick wall with our consultations. They're saying the job is unique, and that there was no other candidates in the pool. I find this hard to accept, the now "print designer" (original web&print) is still doing web work. Web work that I would be doing.

Problem is, the two 'business' decision makers have wanted to get rid of me some time. For personal reasons. I won't go into detail, but it's very clean cut - though I know this doesn't carry any weight.

I'm just stuck as to what to do from a legal point of view. Is there anything I can do - I feel 'targeted' and that I shouldn't be the only person that is being reviewed for possible redundancy.

Thanks for reading, hopefully I've mentioned all the keypoints, but if there's anything uncertain, please ask? I really could do with some advice here.

Many thanks.

getmore4less

In these situations you often have to look at the mutually agreed exit plan sometimes it is time to move on.

They want you out so it will happen sooner or later unless you can get support from elsewhere from people with more power, or fix the issues.

even if they pooled they could find criteria that make you the selection anyway.

I would consider using any legal stuff to improve the package, job hunting and networking can be damaged by going all the ay with ET's and it takes time and a lot of energy.

What's the package can it be improved through negotiation

Are you tied to the UK, would a move to one of the other groups be possible assessing if they want you as part of the global team might give a guide.

rxp

Sounds like the dismissal is potentially unfair. Are they offering you an additional amount above statutory redundancy pay? if not I would be saying that I believed a fair process was not being followed, document my concerns in writing, and hint that I planned to challenge this in a tribunal. hopefully they will then offer you an additional amount.

unfortunately the most you can realistically hope for is probably a few months' pay. Your recovery at tribunal would be limited to the lower of a year's pay or approx £72k anyway, and in practice would be lower than that. Plus you have the risk of paying the fees to lodge a claim, the effort / expense of runnig a claim and the real chance that you'll end up with nothing.