Redundancy package changing

aineroo

Hi, we started our collective consultation in May '18, where the company were offering/proposing double the Uk statutory redundancy. They clarified that this would include the extra half week for employees over 41, therefore 3 weeks x weekly pay for the years over 41. This was clarified several times in the consultation meetings, even in one meeting last week. However we are having our next consultation meeting tomorrow, and have had the next list of answers to questions from our head office on an email yesterday along with the meeting agenda. They now are not using the terminology "double statutory" any more, and now state "age at date of redundancy will not affect the package at all, our package is a significant enhancement on the statutory scheme and we believe it is not right to treat colleagues differently simply because of their age". This makes a significant difference to the redundancy package for the majority of employees, and we are wondering what our options are to challenge this.

aineroo

Although i know they can offer what the want when it is above the statutory, is there no contractual value to the "offer"/"proposal"...........this can change to our detriment throughout the collective consultation period?

sangie595

Consultation is not a contractual matter. In other words, they have put forward a proposal and are discussing that proposal. They may amend or change that proposal at any time. They are not bound by what is, effectively, a suggestion, any more than you are. You can tell them what you think about it, but that's all.

For what it is worth, I agree that age at the time of redundancy is an anachronism from a previous time, and is quite discriminatory and unreliable these days - the statutory scheme included. It all needs looking at - but not by this government!