Does anything ever come out of consultation meetings?

spendaholiceejit

I was given the letter today to say that my job was in consultation and I have a meeting this Friday to discuss. As far as I am aware I'm the only consultant going, there are 3 other consultants in the workplace and it was just me that was put up. I've spoken to a friend in HR who has looked over the letter and said he feels that it's a foregone conclusion. (There's some 'That's not fair' things about the situation but I don't have the heart to fight it. It was a shock but I have contacts and can hopefully get other work soon)

My question is when you're offered a consultation meeting does this also include discussing reduced hours or is it pretty much decided before you go in? Obviously I know they need to open dialogue but clearly they see me as dispensable so I'll always be first on the chopping block.

At this stage I really would prefer out. How do I handle the meeting, can I just ask for the redundancy package?

I am not in a union and I my colleagues are all interrelated so I don't want to bring one with me.

TBagpuss

I'm sorry to hear about this.
I think the answer is 'it depends'. It may be that they have made their mind up and the meeting is effectively a box ticking exercise.
However, in other cases, the consultation may be genuine, and your employer might be open to suggestions such as reduced hours.
You can also ask about selection and how many people are in the pool for consideration.

spendaholiceejit

Thanks for your reply. If they wanted me to cut hours then would there have been other official methods to ask me?

I'm just so deflated tonight but I know there are other jobs out there so trying to work out my 'Plan B' tonight.

getmore4less

Consultation can work to change the initial proposal.

If you want out then ne carefull not to get them to change their minds.

What's the motivation of this move look for ways to make your exit the best for you, enhanced terms, PILON, reference, time off to look for jobs etc. hinting you may have a case but will go quietly with a payment(no threats)
Asking about selection pools, suitable alternatives, business case, all good to enable you to understand what option might work to reduce the impact of their current proposal.
You can't consult if you you don't know why you are on the list.

benten69

Having just been made redundant from the oil sector I might be able to give some insight, as due to the downturn I know A LOT of people have been let go, and all their consultations were basically the same, including mine.

It's all a formality / tick box exercise. They go through bits they have to go through, then give you the opportunity to give ways to "avoid" being made redundant. Things like reduced working hours, taking a pay cut across all of you so that all consultants get kept on with less pay, etc, etc.

They will write it all down, take it away and put your proposals / suggestions to the "company". After a while, you will go for another consultation, where they will come back with the companies responses to you (usually just a load of rubbish excuses from my experience & others).

If you argue them, they will again, take down your points, go back to the company, the company has to issue another response to you, you'll be called into another consultation where their responses will be formally given to you, and basically you'll be told the final outcome also (will they keep you on or not).

It can last for months, but only if you fight it. If you go in, accept what they say, and don't fight it, you will only have the 1 consultation meeting if you simply say "ok, pay me my redundancy pay and I'll go quietly".

Really, it's just a tick box exercise, I've not met a single person who has actually defended themselves successfully in one yet. That's only in the oil industry though. Your industry might be better.

spendaholiceejit

So I had my initial consultation. I asked how many others were in this position (I already know... none!)

I asked what the matrix was to select who got the letter. I was told that there was none, he had looked at the incomings and outgoings and that was it.

I asked if we couldn't find an answer to bring in revenue to keep me on, then what would the redundancy procedure be? He didn't know. And went so far to say he didn't think I would be leaving.

He alluded to the fact that he has a 5k deficit each month and removing me would half that unless I can make myself "less of a burden". I suspect this is illegal and unfair dismissal based on salary.

He was incredibly ill prepared I'm so disappointed as we had always had a great working relationship. I don't want to fight for the job but I'd like a fair redundancy. You'd assume we were a small family business bearing on what you'd just read... we're not! We are funded by government! I actually don't know if he fully appreciated the magnitude of putting me in consultation.

lincroft1710

spendaholiceejit wrote: »

He alluded to the fact that he has a 5k deficit each month and removing me would half that unless I can make myself "less of a burden". I suspect this is illegal and unfair dismissal based on salary.

We are funded by government! I actually don't know if he fully appreciated the magnitude of putting me in consultation.

Can 3 people do the job of the 4 currently employed? Does the company need 4 consultants? A £60K annual deficit is very serious. Despite what may be said in the press, government funding is not an open cheque, pressure will be applied to the company to cut the deficit.

spendaholiceejit

No, I should clarify that I don't mean that the deficit isn't important , I mean that from the way this was handled you would suspect we were a small micro business with no experience of this sort of thing.

I don't disagree that cuts need to be made. The issue is how the buck landed with me and none of the others and that's what needs to be addressed in the consultation. I don't have any argument against the fact that belts need to be tightened.

benten69

Why not suggest he cuts all 4 peoples salaries to make up the equivalent of 1 salary, so a,l 4 of you get kept on and the company saves the same they would have if they just got rid of you.

getmore4less

What does the letter say?

Is redundancy mentioned?

lincroft1710

spendaholiceejit wrote: »

The issue is how the buck landed with me and none of the others and that's what needs to be addressed in the consultation.

Think very, very hard. Is there any reason that you can see that would single you out for possible redundancy.