New roles and flexible working arrangement help please!

lookingforadviceplease

Hi,

I have been told my job is at risk of being made redundant. I work in IT and they are changing the technology that we use. I have questioned why my role is redundant when there will be the same number of roles in the new structure and they will be doing the same function (supporting a system) just with different technology. The system I work with now will still be in place for some time until the new system takes over. At the moment we have new contract staff arriving daily. The general feeling is that the permanent team is being made redundant and replaced with contractors.

I have been told there are no suitable alternative roles as the roles are "significantly different". They have not explained why that is the case apart from the technology is different.. I have had individual consultation meetings but as they have not released the job descriptions for the roles (just the job titles) I don't feel I am able to raise the right questions.

The next step apparently is the descriptions are being released soon and we have to apply and interview for one of the new roles. We have been told that to apply we must have the new skills which we don't have as no training has been provided.

My questions are:

1) Is it correct they are not suggesting an alternative role for me? and that I have to apply and interview for the job? They have confirmed there will be a new role that works with the system I support but apparently as its not 100% like my existing role it is not suitable.

2) I currently have a flexible working arrangement in place - I have a feeling i'm going to be told this no longer applies, the new roles are full time and be told to re apply for flexible working (which will not go in my favour) - can they do this or would the flexible working arrangement go over to the new role? I would like to be prepared and understand my rights if this is what they ask me to do.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

unforeseen

Interested in what is different about the technology that you can not support it?
Maybe you need to learn about it the same way contractors do? Self help.

tomtontom

Can you train yourself up on the different technology independently? They're not obliged to provide this for you.

What you describe is correct, it is usual in reorganisations to have to apply for the new roles.

You are applying for a new position, your existing flexible working arrangement will not automatically be carried across. You can apply again, they will need to assess your application according to the needs of the business.

How long have you worked there?

getmore4less

They can do what they are doing.

No suitable alternatives ask for the redundancy terms.

The team need to accelerate the process.
You will find they may back off on the cover for current system if it needs support. Schedules for new systems tend to be optimistic to reduce costs, but overrun and cost go up.

There is probably a done deal on the new systems

Any job application will be on any terms they want flexible is not protected.

lookingforadviceplease

Hi,

Thanks for the replies it's very helpful.

Speaking for myself I would be able to learn the new technology and have been doing it in my spare time. It is just a change of software so think of it in terms of the difference between internet browsers so someone might not know Firefox but they know chrome and have an understanding of how browsers work in general.

I've worked there 6 years.

I wondered if because it's the technology that's changing not the job function (there is still a system that needs supporting) that the role is not in fact redundant? If I was made redundant my job would still be being done after I left until the new system was in place.

Sad to hear that my flexible working arrangement is not protected.

Thanks

getmore4less

If you believe the new jobs are suitable alternative(same) then make a case and discuss as part of the consultation.

getmore4less

How many involved, unified approach is needed to have any chance.

sangie595

lookingforadviceplease wrote: »

I wondered if because it's the technology that's changing not the job function (there is still a system that needs supporting) that the role is not in fact redundant? If I was made redundant my job would still be being done after I left until the new system was in place.

Actually, I could see such an argument having traction in an employment tribunal. If the only thing that is changing is the system, why can the employer not simply train existing staff to support the new system? From the employers point of view, and being something of a pessimist when it comes to employers motivations, I could see this as the cheapest option. No redundancy payments. If the employer is buying a new system it is often easy to get free or low cost training as part of the purchase package, and then if people can't do the job you sack them on capability grounds! That may not be the argument you want to put to the employer quite like that! But the principle is sound - why not retrain staff and save the redundancies and the breaking in of new staff (which is never a great task when they are all new!).It is certainly the question I would be putting in writing to the employer, and expecting an answer in writing too. I'd certainly be interested in what their answer to that would be.

unforeseen

It could be that the new system comes complete with its own support package so no requirement for on-site support after installation. For example moving over to a Citrix based system where the supplier is providing the support remotely as part of the package once it is installed

Unless OP says then it is pure guesswork

sangie595

unforeseen wrote: »

It could be that the new system comes complete with its own support package so no requirement for on-site support after installation. For example moving over to a Citrix based system where the supplier is providing the support remotely as part of the package once it is installed

Unless OP says then it is pure guesswork

But that may raise issues of TUPE.

lookingforadviceplease

Hi.

Sorry for the delay in replying. There are about 5 of us affected. I requested in writing earlier this year to be involved in the new system and I have been a bit. I am 100% confident I can learn it. I have been in IT for 20 years and 15 years with this specific type of software (but not the actual tool they have chosen). We have changed software many times before and I have always learned it. However this time they are changing the software and restructuring at the same time.

The new system is based completely on open source software, support will be done by the new roles. No supplier or 3rd party support.

The general feeling is they want the permies out and to be replaced with contractors. They have written that the new roles "must" have experience with the new technology which I have raised issue with - and questioned about training etc.

I think its likely I would get one of the roles if I applied but then I am anticipating issues with them letting me retain my flexible working pattern.

The replacement of the existing systems is a long way off the new system is only a trial at the moment and the trial will not be complete until after the proposed redundancies! On a day to day basis my role wouldn't change for ages. Which is why I have asked where my role exists in the new structure.

Consultation is still on going and I am asking questions regarding why I have been told no suitable roles exist at all for me but at the moment new job roles have not been released.

Thanks for all the advice it is really appreciated.