Make me part time just so they don't need to pay redundancy money

shadowfortress

Hi all. So, I'm on furlough and my spidey senses are telling me that when they bring me back they might change my current full-time role to a part-time role. This would be to avoid paying me the significant amount of money owed me if made redundant.  Is there any legal recourse for this sneaky course of action?
Thanks in advance for the input.

Thrugelmir

Flexible furlough runs to to the 31st October. Nothing sneaky nor illegal. 

adamp87

But if they change your role you’d have to agree to a new contract and hours wouldn’t you? 

jon81uk

What does your original contract say? How many hours?
If they want to reduce the number of hours in your contract they need to consult you first. But you will also need to come up with ideas and solutions as well. Some advice here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/basic-rights-and-contracts/changes-to-employment-contracts-overview/
Also talk to your union if you have one.

shadowfortress

Thrugelmir said:

Flexible furlough runs to to the 31st October. Nothing sneaky nor illegal. 

This would be when they ended my Furlough.

Jeremy535897

You may be faced with a dilemma. If they ask you to go part time and you agree, they could make you redundant in a few months and only have to pay the part time rate in calculating your redundancy. If there is no contractual redundancy currently, one option to consider is to agree to working part time, but only if your redundancy is based on your full time equivalent pay, at least for a period of time (although if the employer becomes insolvent, this won't help). The correct approach will depend on what redundancy pay you have currently built up.

shadowfortress

Jeremy535897 said:

You may be faced with a dilemma. If they ask you to go part time and you agree, they could make you redundant in a few months and only have to pay the part time rate in calculating your redundancy. If there is no contractual redundancy currently, one option to consider is to agree to working part time, but only if your redundancy is based on your full time equivalent pay, at least for a period of time (although if the employer becomes insolvent, this won't help). The correct approach will depend on what redundancy pay you have currently built up.

Yes, hence the point of my original post. I know they may be within their legal rights to change me to part time (within reason) but my fear is that the whole point of them making me part time is to make me redundant a few months down the line as a way for them to save money. This obviously can't be legal, so why I asked my question. I think your advice comes closest to answering the question. Thanks.

epm-84

shadowfortress said:

Jeremy535897 said:

You may be faced with a dilemma. If they ask you to go part time and you agree, they could make you redundant in a few months and only have to pay the part time rate in calculating your redundancy. If there is no contractual redundancy currently, one option to consider is to agree to working part time, but only if your redundancy is based on your full time equivalent pay, at least for a period of time (although if the employer becomes insolvent, this won't help). The correct approach will depend on what redundancy pay you have currently built up.

Yes, hence the point of my original post. I know they may be within their legal rights to change me to part time (within reason) but my fear is that the whole point of them making me part time is to make me redundant a few months down the line as a way for them to save money. 

What about agreeing to it on the basis that it's temporary for 1 month and before the end of the month they'll be a meeting between you and your employer about what will happen the following month?

Thrugelmir

Perhaps you need to have a frank discussion with your employer. Obtain the full facts before speculating as to an outcome.