Redundancy consulataion

sangie595

I think what people forget is that the consultation period is not the end - the employer is under an obligation to attempt to mitigate redundancies right up to the date the last worker goes. So the consultation doesn't just end and that's it. The process continues. Redundancies can be cancelled on the last day of notice!!! The consultation period is actually a "braking period" to stop large employers from just throwing a load of people out of work without any warning. And without it, that is exactly what some employers would do.

iammumtoone

sangie595 wrote: »

But that is normal. The point of consultation is to not have made up your mind. And it isn't up to the employer to tell you who your rep is. It is either a union (if there are recognised unions) or someone elected from the workforce. The likelihood is, given the number of redundancies indicating this is a larger workplace, that the consultation was handled by the union. In which case there would be no requirement to consult you individually, and these meetings are individual meetings about your post - not consultation meetings. And can continue after the 45 days.

No it is an individual consultation meeting, that is what the letter states. Not that is makes much difference from what you have said it seems I should have either

a) been in a union (there is only one for the factory staff which wouldn't have helped me as office work different hours/terms)

b) chosen an elective representative between us in the office who are effected.

Its all a learning curve so at least I will know how to act in future if in this situation again.

Thanks for all your help

sangie595

iammumtoone wrote: »

No it is an individual consultation meeting, that is what the letter states. Not that is makes much difference from what you have said it seems I should have either

a) been in a union (there is only one for the factory staff which wouldn't have helped me as office work different hours/terms)

b) chosen an elective representative between us in the office who are effected.

Its all a learning curve so at least I will know how to act in future if in this situation again.

Thanks for all your help

It may say that. But it is something different from the consultation on what will happen - that is what has been consulted on so far, in order to be able to come to a decision, and that was done with the union. I suspect that you will find that the union is "the union" - the fact that the office workers appear to have decided not to join the union is their choice. In such circumstances, non union members, effectively, don't really get a say, because the union reps report to their members, not the non-members. This then makes sense of why the first weeks were "silent" from your point of view - the discussions to see if redundancies could be avoided took place with the union reps. This meeting is really not about whether there will be redundancies and whether they can be avoided - it is solely about what will happen to you, and can certainly take place after you get back. But it will not stop the clock for you, and if notice has been issued, then it will run whether or not the meeting has yet to take place.

Haylescom

A friend of mine was recently on consultation for redundancy. They scheduled his meeting for a time when he was on his honeymoon, so of course he didn't go. They did offer to do it via telephone, which he declined, but the option was there. He since found out he is not being made redundant.
Did you 100 employees? I guess the chances of at least one person being on holiday for the time selected is fairly high, especially at this time of year.

motorguy

Any update O/P?

We all took time over the weekend to try to advise - it would be good to know the outcome?

iammumtoone

motorguy wrote: »

Any update O/P?

We all took time over the weekend to try to advise - it would be good to know the outcome?

Sorry I didn't not reply to purposely keep everyone in the dark I do appreciate all the help I was given. Its just I could be identified via this thread so thought it best not to bring it back up to the top!

I spoke to my employer who were very good and offered to change the time/day to suit me and pay me for the hour which the meeting is for (doesn't make up for the loss of holiday but I appreciated the gesture as I understand from this thread they don't have to do this or even offer a new time)

I have re-scheduled and so far Son seems ok with that as it is later in our holiday rather than the second day the meeting was originally for.

motorguy

iammumtoone wrote: »

Sorry I didn't not reply to purposely keep everyone in the dark I do appreciate all the help I was given. Its just I could be identified via this thread so thought it best not to bring it back up to the top!

I spoke to my employer who were very good and offered to change the time/day to suit me and pay me for the hour which the meeting is for (doesn't make up for the loss of holiday but I appreciated the gesture as I understand from this thread they don't have to do this or even offer a new time)

I have re-scheduled and so far Son seems ok with that as it is later in our holiday rather than the second day the meeting was originally for.

Glad its worked out a bit better at least.

I know it must be a difficult time.