Help with applying for voluntary early redundancy

toffee'n'tom

Hi

I work for a government department. They have offered a final round of voluntary early release from work (although every one they offer seems to be the final one!) I haven't applied before but I'm now seriously considering it. They only have a certain amount of funding and, although they are looking to cut costs, they also have to consider business needs.

I've worked there now for 30 years (23 amalgamated years in total with full and part time) and I've just about had enough. I'll be 50 next month.

I've put a lot of thought into this and, although I shouldn't, I've set my heart on leaving. I can fill in the appropriate forms to accompany my application but can also submit a supporting statement as to why I should be considered.

I appear to everyone as a someone who is happy in their work - it's just the way I am. I work hard. I never take time off sick and I'm trusted to work remotely and independently.

Now the thing is I think all this will go against me. If I'd been off sick constantly, had bad reports and had to be constantly supervised they probably couldn't wait to get rid of me.

My employers are not aware but I suffer with really bad back problems. I don't take time off.. The job is quite physical with lifting of heavy files, is very responsible as dealing with peoples lives and is totally full on 100% of the time - having to constantly meet deadlines. Although my work colleagues wouldn't know my home life suffers as I tend to take out my frustrations and pain with those closest to me. I have an elderly mother (87) who I feel responsible for.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a supporting statement I could make to increase my chances of a successful application?

Thanks in anticipation

atush

I thinkyou should state all these health problems in your statement. At least then they will be aware and it will be in your favor in the next round if you dont make it this time?

And i would see HR about getting back support in your chair. Get son eone else to lift the boxes. And for goodness sakes, start using your sick leave when you need it. It sounds like you are gunning for a heart attack or some sort of stress illness?

And could the boxes have caused your back problems? have you seen yr doctor about it? Get a referral to a specialist.

If your problems have been caused by work, and if they get worse, you could be looking at ill health retiral?

xylophone

Your statement might concentrate on your desire to spend more time with your elderly mother whose need for care and attention is increasing?

Thrugelmir

toffeentom wrote: »

I work for a government department. They have offered a final round of voluntary early release from work (although every one they offer seems to be the final one!) I haven't applied before but I'm now seriously considering it. They only have a certain amount of funding and, although they are looking to cut costs, they also have to consider business needs.

What are plans once you leave? The grass isn't always greener. Private sector is a competitive world.

OldBeanz

HMG are b'stards. If they see weakness they will stalk you. Best of luck.

saver861

Its likely they have already ear marked who they want to go! However, the job has to be made redundant - not the person. Now we know they can shuffle things around and give roles new titles etc., so what should happen and what actually happens are two different things.

I don't know if you have done all the financial planning if you were to get redundancy. If not you need to ascertain the financial implications etc. Very easy to sell it to yourself when you want out but you need to consider the practicalities.

Regardless of the redundancy, I think you should be dealing with the back problems at work. There are ways of dealing with this to minimise discomfort etc so getting that improved might help with the overall ambience of working there. Its a bit of a catch 22 now as putting the health issues in your statement without medical backup might be seen as a ploy.

I put in for redundancy recently and was lucky to get it - very lucky - due to costs of pension strain etc. So I know what the waiting and anticipation is like - long days for sure.

I'm not really sure how much of an impact a statement would make to be honest - usually they have planned and earmarked etc.

brewerdave

My wife has applied twice for VERS with the NHS -she has been refused twice -and we firmly believe it is because 1. her attendance record is the best in her dept (only 3 days off sick in 16 years !!) and 2. because she actually gets her work done in a timely fashion and isn't forever asking for extra assistance because she has a backlog.
I keep telling her to take coffee breaks,lunch breaks and to work as the rest of her dept. seems to do ie do as little as they can without being sacked!:mad:
Unfortunately, it looks to me as an outsider, that these Govt. bodies use VERS to get rid of those they should have sacked long ago, the names are probably already inked in -if you are any good they will never let you go - the OP is best off going for ill health retirement if her back is that bad.

shopaholicz

Hi Toffee,

about 5 years ago I was in the same position as you. I applied for voluntary but didn't get it. Like others on here have already said, I believe the people who went were already earmarked and like you I never took sick leave, always turned up on time, did my best every day etc. I also had a mother who needed extra help.

Having a good think about it I then approached HR and looked at my options. I ended up applying to temporarily reduce my hours to .5, this was initially for 1 year. Due to my mother's health I then had this extended for another year. My mother passed away during this 2nd year and I went back full time.

Within a few months I knew this was a mistake and applied for a permanent reduction in hours, which I got. That was about 3 years ago. I'm still working .5 and enjoying this. I found that working part time removes the stress as you're not constantly thinking about your deadlines and what needs doing next etc... and you still have some income coming in, although it's obviously a lot smaller.

Have you thought of going part time? or even job share? what are your policies on applying for this?