Furlough/Reduncancy/Job Offers

Mundy256

I'm sorry if this has already been covered. I've already checked through some threads, but could not find one specifically for this situation.

I am currently on furlough and was asked to attend a redundancy consultation on Tuesday and obviously as a result, started firing off CVs left, right and centre.
I was informed today of the company's intention to follow through on the redundancy, I have 6 weeks notice based on my contract of employment and my length of service and my employment will terminate on 23rd July. There is a passage in the letter that states that: Consequently, there is no requirement for you to return to your place of work.

Does this mean that if I have a job offer that wants me to start in 2 weeks I forfeit my notice and/or redundancy pay? Is the company being shrewd, knowing that for me to wait the full 6 weeks, when the job market will be more flooded than it is now, would be crazy and they can get away with saying that I essentially resigned and not paying me any redundancy pay?

Thanks for any answers and if anything is unclear, I'll try my best to explain my question better.

sharpe106

It means they will carry on paying for the 6 weeks as they do not want you in. In theory they could call you in on any day still but probably unlikely.  There is nothing stopping you for applying for another job. If you get another job that starts before then you have the option basically of telling your old employer you are starting a job, and maybe losing any notice period from then on wards or just risking it and hoping they don't find out.  
They will still need to pay the redundancy pay as that is separate. 

Mundy256

Thank you for the information. Very much appreciated.

Semple

It's what is known as garden leave. 

Most companies when they've put an employee through redundancy do not want them working for the company any longer. You no longer have an interest in what's best for the company and therefore could be in a position to jeopardise business. It's just easier for both parties to put you on garden leave. 

Grumpy_chap

Does the OP have the job offer starting in two weeks, or is this hypothetical?

Mundy256

Unfortunately, it's only hypothetical at the moment.

Grumpy_chap

If it were me, and the hypothetical situation materialises ( ) I would just start the new job and hope the old employer does not find out.  

sharpe106

Grumpy_chap said:

If it were me, and the hypothetical situation materialises ( ) I would just start the new job and hope the old employer does not find out.  

I think most people would go for this option, very unlikely the employer would want you back if they have told you before hand they will not. Lets be honest by the time you found a new job start date anyway would be about a month even if was lucky.