At risk of redundancy but 'suitable role' is 88 miles away

RileyDoo

Hi, I am after a bit of advice please  Just over a month ago myself and 14 other people with the same job title (We don't do anything like the same jobs but the job titles were the same) were told we were at risk of redundancy as an office was closing. I have had my consultations and have done interviews for some newly created roles in the business which I wasn't successful with despite the fact that I am more than qualified (My interview skills aren't great   ). Last weekend I decided the stress wasn't worth it so on Monday morning I contacted my HR department and asked to take the redundancy. On Tuesday they rang me back and told me the redundancy was no longer an option as they didn't want to lose my knowledge and experience and had a 'suitable alternate role' in mind for me. I admit I was a little miffed by this as the role on offer is something I did about 15 years ago and is pretty much killing any advancement of my career. The biggest sticking point though is the fact that it will be based in an office 88 miles away, so my commute will now be around 2 hours each way. I need some advice on where I stand if I turn down the job please. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies. 

Comms69

What is your current commute? Are they offering any expenses for a period to accomodate a commute? Or a relocation bonus?

nicechap

RileyDoo said:

Hi, I am after a bit of advice please  Just over a month ago myself and 14 other people with the same job title (We don't do anything like the same jobs but the job titles were the same) were told we were at risk of redundancy as an office was closing. I have had my consultations and have done interviews for some newly created roles in the business which I wasn't successful with despite the fact that I am more than qualified (My interview skills aren't great   ). Last weekend I decided the stress wasn't worth it so on Monday morning I contacted my HR department and asked to take the redundancy. On Tuesday they rang me back and told me the redundancy was no longer an option as they didn't want to lose my knowledge and experience and had a 'suitable alternate role' in mind for me. I admit I was a little miffed by this as the role on offer is something I did about 15 years ago and is pretty much killing any advancement of my career. The biggest sticking point though is the fact that it will be based in an office 88 miles away, so my commute will now be around 2 hours each way. I need some advice on where I stand if I turn down the job please. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies. 

If you simply turn the job down they may decide not to pay you redundancy.  You would then be faced with taking them to a tribunal (which will take months/ years to get to a conclusion) to get your redundancy/ compensation by explaining that 88 miles is an unreasonable change, which I suspect in most people's views it would be. However, your employer may argue that many people already commute that and further, and may offer you travel expenses or help with house move which would undermine (but not eliminate) any case. 

Your union should be able to advise you better as they are privy to all the circumstances involved.

RileyDoo

Thanks for the replies. My current commute is 14 miles one way

Silvertabby

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 'rule of thumb' for relocating was a maximum commute of 50 miles each way?  88 miles/2 hours each way certainly wouldn't be acceptable to me.

nicechap

Silvertabby said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 'rule of thumb' for relocating was a maximum commute of 50 miles each way?  88 miles/2 hours each way certainly wouldn't be acceptable to me.

Were not privy to all the circumstances, so 88 miles by train may only take an hour. But an 88 mile Road trip across or around London on M25 could take 3 hours. 

lisyloo

nicechap said:

Silvertabby said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 'rule of thumb' for relocating was a maximum commute of 50 miles each way?  88 miles/2 hours each way certainly wouldn't be acceptable to me.

Were not privy to all the circumstances, so 88 miles by train may only take an hour. But an 88 mile Road trip across or around London on M25 could take 3 hours. 

Says 2 hours in the first post so we are privy.
i don’t  think that’s acceptable.
i would be be chexking my home ins for legal cover and if covered speaking to a solicitor.

oh_really

Union?  Every spark I know are in union, (i can go as far back as EEPTU).

thebrexitunicorn

You only lose the right to a redundancy payment if you unreasonably refuse a suitable alternative. What is ‘suitable’ will vary depending on individual circumstances.   You have identified the excessive travel and also the fact that the role is a step back/loss of seniority(?) as being of concern.  Both of these could  be grounds for a reasonable refusal.  I think if you haven’t already done so, the best thing to do would be to explain your concerns about the role and see what the employer has to say.  

From the information it does not appear that you would be unreasonable in refusing the role.