Verbal assurance of job security given by employer

Million_Percent

Hi Everyone,

Looking for opinions, advice, information etc relating to the following:

Back in Feb this year, my employer discussed with me that they were planning to conduct a strategic review of the area of the business that I work in. The context of the discussion was that my role might change following that review and the discussion was around what alternative roles within the business I might take on. As a precursor to this discussion, my Director told me I had a "safe seat on the <company name> bus". The MD was also present in this meeting and said "I'm glad you said that" to my director when he said this.

I think the interpretation of this statement is clear that whatever gets decided following the review, a suitable job will be available to me within the organisation. It was a verbal assurance that my job was safe, albeit perhaps in a different role. Following that discussion, I sent my directors a couple of emails outlining some speculative ideas on future roles. These seemed to be well received.

Over the following months the strategic review went on in the background. I remained in my role, co-operated with the review and continued to do my job to the best of my ability. There was no further discussion around my future role during this time.

Suddenly last week, I got called into a meeting and was told that the company is starting a formal consultation on making me redundant.

So the question is, does that verbal assurance I was given carry any legal weight? Is there a potential case for an industrial tribunal? Or have I just been foolish to trust my employer? Had I suspected back in Feb that my job was under threat I'd have immediately been looking for another job.

I have worked there for 15 years and always had a good relationship with my employer. I've always felt I could trust them and they'd play fair.

Appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks in advance.

ohreally

I suspect if you push the matter they may justify the situation by way of a "substantial business case". I don't expect there to be much mileage in the verbal offer.

Keep being cooperative while looking for a new role elsewhere.

Undervalued

Million_Percent wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Looking for opinions, advice, information etc relating to the following:

Back in Feb this year, my employer discussed with me that they were planning to conduct a strategic review of the area of the business that I work in. The context of the discussion was that my role might change following that review and the discussion was around what alternative roles within the business I might take on. As a precursor to this discussion, my Director told me I had a "safe seat on the <company name> bus". The MD was also present in this meeting and said "I'm glad you said that" to my director when he said this.

I think the interpretation of this statement is clear that whatever gets decided following the review, a suitable job will be available to me within the organisation. It was a verbal assurance that my job was safe, albeit perhaps in a different role. Following that discussion, I sent my directors a couple of emails outlining some speculative ideas on future roles. These seemed to be well received.

Over the following months the strategic review went on in the background. I remained in my role, co-operated with the review and continued to do my job to the best of my ability. There was no further discussion around my future role during this time.

Suddenly last week, I got called into a meeting and was told that the company is starting a formal consultation on making me redundant.

So the question is, does that verbal assurance I was given carry any legal weight? Is there a potential case for an industrial tribunal? Or have I just been foolish to trust my employer? Had I suspected back in Feb that my job was under threat I'd have immediately been looking for another job.

I have worked there for 15 years and always had a good relationship with my employer. I've always felt I could trust them and they'd play fair.

Appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks in advance.

It carries just as much, or as little, weight as a written one (although obviously far harder to prove).

However even if it had been written it would be very easy for them to argue that circumstances change, which they may very well have done.

gettingtheresometime

Million_Percent wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Looking for opinions, advice, information etc relating to the following:

Back in Feb this year, my employer discussed with me that they were planning to conduct a strategic review of the area of the business that I work in. The context of the discussion was that my role might change following that review and the discussion was around what alternative roles within the business I might take on. As a precursor to this discussion, my Director told me I had a "safe seat on the <company name> bus". The MD was also present in this meeting and said "I'm glad you said that" to my director when he said this.

I think the interpretation of this statement is clear that whatever gets decided following the review, a suitable job will be available to me within the organisation. It was a verbal assurance that my job was safe, albeit perhaps in a different role. Following that discussion, I sent my directors a couple of emails outlining some speculative ideas on future roles. These seemed to be well received.

Over the following months the strategic review went on in the background. I remained in my role, co-operated with the review and continued to do my job to the best of my ability. There was no further discussion around my future role during this time.

Suddenly last week, I got called into a meeting and was told that the company is starting a formal consultation on making me redundant.

So the question is, does that verbal assurance I was given carry any legal weight? Is there a potential case for an industrial tribunal? Or have I just been foolish to trust my employer? Had I suspected back in Feb that my job was under threat I'd have immediately been looking for another job.

I have worked there for 15 years and always had a good relationship with my employer. I've always felt I could trust them and they'd play fair.

Appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks in advance.

My initial gut reaction is that they told you want you wanted to hear and that you've been played


As soon as I heard about the review I would have been on my guard.

lincroft1710

Many years ago a Premier League football team manager was assured by his directors that his job was "safe". Less than 2 weeks later, he was sacked!

ReadingTim

A verbal assurance isn't worth the paper it's written on. Hang on a second! It's not written on any paper....... oh...

More seriously, how could you prove that a statement made in February - 6 months ago, wasn't made in good faith? The outcome of the strategic review couldn't have been known, plus things might have changed in the intervening 6 months anyway.

Also, a minor point, but it's your current role, not you as a person, which is being made redundant. Part of the consultation process includes seeing if there are other roles you could do. It is therefore possible that you do still have a seat on the company bus, just not doing what you're currently doing. I'd be exploring this as part of the consultation process (you could mention the conversation had in February), but also be updating my CV and looking elsewhere. With 15 years' service, you ought to get a decent payout which will give you a bit of time before you need another job...

TELLIT01

The first time I was made redundant I, along with 3 or 4 others, was assured that my job was safe because it was a restructuring exercise which wouldn't affect the work we were doing. Come the actual announcement we were all told that the function was being closed at our office and being moved over 100 miles. We were redundant, didn't even get the offer to relocate!

ssparks2003

I assume that others doing the same role as you are also at risk of redundancy? how your your mate MD say "don't put my mate Million in the at risk list, he's sound" without causing waves? you will have to like all other staff go through a defined process and see what happens. The MD might be confident that he can keep you all, he might have just been telling you what you want to hear, either way only time will tell.

sangie595

Verbal or written, there is no such thing as job security, ever. Every employee serves at the pleasure of the employer, and for as long as they are useful or productive or both. You could never have enforced such a statement, even had it been chiseled on ten tablets of stone. Whatever the outcome now, remember this lesson. Loyalty and trust count for absolutely nothing when an employer decides they don't. It's a one way street, and even the very best of employers will dispose of their employees when and how it suits their purpose.

takman

ReadingTim wrote: »

A verbal assurance isn't worth the paper it's written on. Hang on a second! It's not written on any paper....... oh...

Well "Verbal" means in the form of words so it could be written or spoken.

I thought i would point that out because everyone in this thread seems to be using the word "verbal" when they mean "oral" .

Million_Percent

Agreed sangie595. Lesson learned.