Advise Appreciated

mjc1976

My employer has just entered into a period of consultancy. We all know the business is being closed, but they are doing what they have to and so be it. The consultation period should end middle of Jan.

I am one of a handful that have been asked to sign a retention agreement which guarantees to keep us in employment there till at least Jan 31st (as they cannot forsee the closing date being before, but cannot guarantee), with the pay off being an extra 2 months salary on top of whatever redundancy package is offered. Between that and what the redundancy package should be, I'm looking to walk away with a good few grand. 

Here is the issue. I have been offered a job which, in principle, I have accepted. I can start in early Jan or mid Feb and they are happy for it to be either. This obviously puts any redundancy at risk.

So I'm wondering if anyone can advise how best to proceed with this. Am I essentially screwed in terms of a good or any package if I continue and take the job? I'm also wondering if there is anywhere you know that I can forward the letter I have been sent with the details of the offer that they want me to sign so it can be reviewed? I know I can ust go to a solicitor, but I thought I would look for an online alternative first, purely for expediency purposes as I dont have a solictor at present.

Thanks for any help

Andy_L

What have you committed to on the retention agreement? (If you've actually signed it)

How much notice are you entitled to? Consultation ends mid Jan, they then give you, eg, a months notice & you leave mid Feb (if not earlier if you have any holiday owing) & start new job which is after the date of 31st Jan

If you are within your notice period you can serve counter-notice to be allowed to leave early

lincroft1710

If your present employer finds out you already have a new job lined up, then they will probably not offer you redundancy and thus save themselves some money.

getmore4less

Andy_L said:

What have you committed to on the retention agreement? (If you've actually signed it)

How much notice are you entitled to? Consultation ends mid Jan, they then give you, eg, a months notice & you leave mid Feb (if not earlier if you have any holiday owing) & start new job which is after the date of 31st Jan

If you are within your statutory notice period you can serve counter-notice to be allowed to leave early

Which can be different to actual notice.

If consulting is mid Jan then they can start the notice periods.

Why do they need retention offers till end Jan they can just set the termination dates to anything they want.

Are people wanting to be leaving early.

Are people that critical to the closing down process.