Withholding redundancy pay

HaroldMushroom

Long story short, I was made redundant after 15 years at a company after new owners took over at Christmas. None of the correct procedures were followed, no consultation. Basically received a phone call 9th March telling me I was redundant on 11th March, that I needed to work until 31st March and I would get PILON and statutory.
At the point I was informed I was redundant I was 1 week off 15 years service and I was told I was only entitled to 14 years.
I spoke to ACAS and they advised I appealed the redundancy on the grounds of no consultation and that I should receive 15 yrs as my notice period would take me in to 15th year. Sent an appeal letter which was ignored. Sent another letter outlining why I thought I had been unfairly treated and asked them why this had happened.
Roll on to 29th March and I was contacted to attend a TEAMS meeting to offer "suitable alternative employment" My role has been full time remote for the last 13 years in finance. Head office is 30 miles away. Alternative role offered was full time QA work in the office for 40 hrs a week. I am not able to do this as I have no transport and child care commitments so I did not accept the post. I was then told that I would indeed be redundant as from 31st March
Asked for my redundancy payment breakdown and received this, agreed all totals and was then told I would be paid on 8th April. Was then sent a payslip on 8th April but have now been told they are withholding my pay pending return of company property.
I have all the property boxed up here ready for collection as they asked me to do and have emailed all box dimensions, weights etc through to his PA as I was asked to do. I am not receiving a reply now and he has told me not to contact him anymore and only communicate with his PA. They are able to make the payment, no problem with financing
My problem is I know he's now only doing this as I dared to appeal the redundancy in the first place. I just want this over now but not sure what to do next
Also concerned they are going to say I didn't return everything or any other excuse they can come up with just to make things more difficult

Jaybee_16

Have a look at this link. What does your contract say?

https://www.xperthr.co.uk/faq/if-an-individual-whose-employment-comes-to-an-end-fails-to-return-company-property-what-action-can-the-employer-take/61879/

tizerbelle

Okay, disregarding any rights/wrongs or "its the principle" arguments - this is what I would do being as I want that redundancy pay.... get in the car / get a friend with a car to drive me and take all the equipment to the head office.  That way you proactively remove the apparent obstacle stopping you being paid.  

Thrugelmir

tizerbelle said:

Okay, disregarding any rights/wrongs or "its the principle" arguments - this is what I would do being as I want that redundancy pay.... get in the car / get a friend with a car to drive me and take all the equipment to the head office.  That way you proactively remove the apparent obstacle stopping you being paid.  

Totally agree. Then the matter is resolved. Little point in debating the issues , deal with the return and then everybody moves on with their lives. 

penners324

It may take a couple of hours from 1 day. But drive (or get driven) their items to them.

400ixl

Like others I would be finding a way to turn up within business hours and hand over the equipment. Take a video of items being put into the box and provide an itemised receipt for them to sign so that you have a formal record of it being returned.

HaroldMushroom

Thanks everyone
They have now arranged a courier to collect today and provided me with labels to attach to each box
Hopefully now, this will be the end of it all