Job relocation query

Coral_1234

Hi everyone, was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.. I work for the head office of a major supermarket chain within their contact centre. We have been notified recently that the entire centre will be relocating to another building about 20 miles away.. For most of us it isn't the distance that's the issue it's the fact that the new office is not on a bus route (it's about a 20 min walk from a bus stop/45 min walk from train station) many of us start at 8:00am and I have checked a journey planner which tells me the earliest I could get there is 9:30 ish.. My first thought was to take redundancy (I have been with the company nearly 2 years) but this is not being offered. The also refuse to give us information or answer any questions about this move - most of us just want to know exactly when it is going to happen , and we were initially advised January, but now we have been informed that the car park at our current office is being closed down in august .. Leaving us second guessing that the move will be sooner, or if not, this will leave people that drive I'm a real crap position as there is nowhere else to park in the area. I feel we are being treated quite unfairly but we do not have a union, so there is no one to talk to (apparently scrapping the unions was decided by the company's American counterpart) so, could I take them to a tribunal over this...?
Thanks x

getmore4less

Whats in your contracts re mobility.

If the job is going then that is a redundancy situation.

Issue will be is the alternative suitable if the company says it is and you don't and you can't agree then it will be upto the courts.

Companies don't decide if you are in a union workers do.

Join together to fund legal advice, an early shot back may get then revising there position.

Is this Leeds?
Has it hit the local press yet?

Coral_1234

Hi, as far as I can tell there is nothing in my contract regarding relocation. My contract is actually pretty basic.
Most people disagree with their decision to relocate as where they are moving to is out in the sticks and most people live in the city centre. But despite this they have still decided to move, as it's cheaper for them (rent on current office is quite high) it hasn't reached local press yet.
I *can* get there for 8, but it means getting up at 4:30 in the morning and getting home at 7:30 at night. I have asked to have my hours changed to accommodate public transport times but this has been refused. I feel a bit lost really, because everything we say isn't listened to. I just think that we deserve some sort of redundancy pay if we cannot get to the site, and have to leave our roles as a result. Going through small claims court can be a pain..

Coral_1234

Oh and yes it's in Leeds (but ssshhh..!)

nearlyrich

Coral_1234 wrote: »

Oh and yes it's in Leeds (but ssshhh..!)

I think this bit gave it away


(apparently scrapping the unions was decided by the company's American counterpart)

Coral_1234

Am not really fussed if people on here work in my office (and obviously will know my by my username) because we all agree the situation sucks. (The sshh thing was just a joke really ;-) )

getmore4less

The real issue is who is deciding this and what is the motivation

Low rent and no workers does not work.

If the people doing the jobs will just leave if the place they will end up working is not convenient what will happen?

If the jobs current location attracts people that will work the jobs young people & city centre is often attractive, transport, going out no need for cars then there may be an issue when fewer move than expected.

I guess they can forget call centre awards this year.

DKLS

getmore4less wrote: »

The real issue is who is deciding this and what is the motivation

I would imagine that its simply a business decision related to business need, most likely a chance to reduce head count naturally and the fact that the HQ occupies a prime city centre plot next to the river which must be worth a significant sum.