Can I be made redundant and then replaced?

28charlie

I have been issued a potential redundancy letter. I've been working as an 'accounts assistant' for the company for 18 months. Been told that my role is no longer needed and that they now need a 'payroll specialist', which I am not. A week after receiving this letter I discover they have hired a new 'accounts assistant' in out team on the same  hours as me. Seems like a replacement to me. Can they do this? 

Masomnia

Is 18 months your entire length of service with the company or just this role?

Unfortunately, broadly speaking, yes they can unless you have any reason to think that they are proposing to dismiss you for an unfair reason in legal terms. I would ask them to spell out what the new person brings to the role that you could not.

28charlie

Thank you. Yes 18 months is the entire length of service. I have now seen the job advert for the new role. They have removed one piece of my work and added in payroll. I guess the new person is bringing payroll experience to the role, which I don't have currently. At this stage it is only a potential redundancy, I have the opportunity to make suggestions during this consultation period of how to avoid redundancy. I could offer to train in payroll etc but they have already recruited.

sharpe106

As you have been there for less than 2 years and the role is changing then yes they can pretty much unfortunately. I would be discussing how you can get the payroll expertise and state that you are willing to be trained for that part of the job. As if it is in addition to your current job it must be fairly basic payroll work or they would need somebody just doing that if they needed someone highly qualified to do it.