Employer making post-redundancy plans while still in consultation

mj322

Hi,

My fiance is currently in consultation with her employer over redundancy. This is due to an organisational restructure not working out and the employer restructuring again in less than a year.

I understand the consultation period is a process that the employer has to go through, even just for appearances. She is due to have the meeting where suggestions are made to save the job, what other work she could do in the organisation etc.

Her manager has put a number of (public) meetings in his calendar with other staff members discussing work my fiance does and about handing it over. One even has an agenda item saying "Planning for payment process post X leaving".

The organisation has its right to plan work and processes for post redundancies but making her go through the consultation process and meetings when the outcome is already decided, what is the point? Is the company just covering itself?

I guess the final question is if there is anything we can do beyond just accepting it? Life isn't fair but this just seems a bit pointless?

sangie595

I think your last sentence about sums it up. When an employer enters into a redundancy consultation, they pretty much know what the outcome will be. After all, in their shoes you wouldn't be doing it at all unless you knew that it was necessary. Neither would they. So in all honesty, whilst part of the redundancy process is about whether that job or jobs need to go, in reality that decision is made. The rest of the process is about if there is an alternative to redundancy - so a suitable alternative job. That is really where the main focus of the consultation lies. And yes, the employer must do it, but that doesn't mean that it is a clear cut matter. In rare circumstances the employer may decide to change their mind; more often the employer can find another vacancy for the person. So it isn't pointless.