Office closure

Kim_kim

merrydance wrote: »

I am 60. No state pension until 66 these days. My hubby is 70 he could claim the pension credit for me. The amount would be what I earn now. The thing is hedgehog they are closing my office, so can't stay there. I would never had taken the job on such low pay if I could not have got there easily. I walk most times now.

Can you elect to give up work to get benefits instead?

I thought that wasn't allowed anymore?

merrydance

Not sure will have to go to the CAB for more info. Just hoping they will change their minds and offer me a job in the next office near me, 5 mins away. I think they are hoping I will just refuse the one they have offered as they know it is so difficult for me to get to. Then they will not have to pay out any redundancy. It would only be a few thousand. I am also on the waiting list for a major operation, which would mean I would be off work for at least 10 weeks recovery. It is not good for me to be clambering on and off buses at the moment.

getmore4less

The job is redundant.
That's a given as the job includes the place of work that is closing.

What we are dealing with here is a potential suitable alternative.

You need to consult on this and it sounds like that is happening.
How many people are effected by the closure that could require a statutory consultation period.

You will need to build a case for why the job is not a suitable alternative, personal and business reasons if possible, discuss other suitable alternatives like the different office that is closer.

if they are prepared to open the office just for you, who will be opening and closing it will you be a lone worker, have they done a risk assessment etc. if you think it makes no business sense to open how they are justifying opening, if you suspect this is bluff and they just hope you will resign then they won't have got this approved higher up.

pebbles88

merrydance wrote: »

I am also on the waiting list for a major operation, which would mean I would be off work for at least 10 weeks recovery. It is not good for me to be clambering on and off buses at the moment.

It sounds like you've not used buses for a good while?

Most buses (I realise not 100% of them are) are low access now so it's just stepping from the kerb onto the bus like it's flat ground/or a very small step up as they have made them easy access for par so/ wheelchairs/people with reduced mobility.

So please don't worry they aren't like the buses from yonks ago, I remember some of the steps being much higher than my stair steps !! :rotfl:

ceecee1

I am slightly confused about your statement that the increase on hubby's pension credit would be the same as your earnings - You say that you work 2 days a week plus overtime. The increase from a single claim to a couple claim is about £84 a week.
Is he currently claiming PC (you imply this as you say that he would just claim PC for you) if he is - have you declared your income - anything over £5 a week would affect his claim

merrydance

I work 13 hours per week on the minimum wage 13 x 7.20 =£93.60. Bus fares will be at least £6 per day x 2 £93.60 - £12 = £81.60 - looks like I would be better off. No overtime lately. No of course he's not claiming now, I'm working.

Spendless

merrydance wrote: »

I work 13 hours per week on the minimum wage 13 x 7.20 =£93.60. Bus fares will be at least £6 per day x 2 £93.60 - £12 = £81.60 - looks like I would be better off. No overtime lately. No of course he's not claiming now, I'm working.

Gosh, that seems expensive. Aren't there any daily/weekly/monthly savers to reduce the cost?

ceecee1

Sorry - I understand now why you want to get redundancy

FBaby

I think they are hoping I will just refuse the one they have offered as they know it is so difficult for me to get to. Then they will not have to pay out any redundancy.

Unfortunately, I think you might be very right there. If the company is struggling financially, then they will do everything to avoid paying redundancy and if they think they can legally push someone to give in their notice, then that's the direction they will take. Very unfair, but nothing much you can do about it.

getmore4less

I think it will be worth continuing the consult and calling the bluff,

As they have to open the office just for you on a Sunday as transport is an issue the opening times will need to fit with the transport options available.

I would throw suitable alternative and trial period into the consultation conversations.

is this job the same or just similar to the one you currently have?