Having to reapply for job

longwalks1

Genuinely asking for a friend, as cliche as it sounds

my friend has worked at the same place for 20 years, due to restructuring he’s now been told he has to reapply for a position and as yet, hasn’t even had an interview even for roles he’s done previously for years. His sickness record isn’t great so that could be why they want him out. 

I’m sure if he isnt successful in securing a new position, and they let him go then he’ll get redundancy payment? 

Is this right?

sharpe106

If the role has been made redundant and he does not get another suitable job in the company (they can't just offer him a zero hour contract job to get out of paying redundancy) then yes.

longwalks1

Thanks Sharpe106 - Reason I'm asking is hes asked his onsite union rep (who has for years been in the company's pocket) and has been told if he doesnt find a job and pass the interview, then he's out with no payment.  Personally I didnt think they could just make the position redundant and penalise him for not securing another position himself, especially after more than 20 years with them.  It just doesnt sound right

sharpe106

No they can't do that. Would still be entitled to the legal minimum his contract may even have that he is entitled to more. 

longwalks1

The legal minimum on the contract is pretty good, something like 3.5 weeks per year for the first 15 years, and I think 4 weeks per year after that - I told him to fight for what hes entitled to.
Thanks again Sharpe106

General_Grant

The only way for him to leave in this situation (if he doesn't secure another suitable role within the organisation) would be if he applied to another company and resigned in order to take up that position.

sharpe106

That is a pretty good entitlement. As the union rep there is pretty useless is there anyone else in the union he can contact? as will all companies some union reps are useless and some are great. The Union I am in 80% are useless, so sometimes helps going to the right person. 

longwalks1

Hi Sharpe106

Sadly the senior rep controls the other reps fairly tightly, and is clearly in the pockets of the company and HR.  Whoever this guy asks, they all refer him back to the senior rep - Who's adamant that he wont get a penny when he's laid off if he doesnt secure another position in the company.  I think the union in my workplace is merely a tickbox exercise to say they allow a union on site

sharpe106

Even if that is what they say, does not make it right , although if that is the line the company is going down he might need to seek professional help, ACAS is a good place to start.

longwalks1

Thanks Sharpe again - We've just been searching and ACAS was the next point of call