Natural Wastage?

Andy_L

CloesUnc said:

Andy_L said:

It what way is it not "fair"? Plus "fair" is not a synonym for "legal"

Announcing it means that staff know there is no intention of making redundancies. If it was kept quite but staff knew there were problems with the business they would be worrying about being made redundant, this approach avoids that problem.

Those who were thinking of leaving, but were hanging on in the hope of a redundancy payment, now know its not worth waiting

So you don't think that telling six people that only five are needed would instill an uncessessary sense of competition among those people? Or have a risk of some of the group feeling vulnerable? If I thought that I may not be needed, then I would question my value to the company and it would definitely affect my morale. 

No. Natural wastage is not replacing people who leave of their own volition, so there is no competition.

So more likely to leave - seems to be working then

CloesUnc

OK, thanks very much everyone for your replies.

TELLIT01

CloesUnc said:

Andy_L said:

It what way is it not "fair"? Plus "fair" is not a synonym for "legal"

Announcing it means that staff know there is no intention of making redundancies. If it was kept quite but staff knew there were problems with the business they would be worrying about being made redundant, this approach avoids that problem.

Those who were thinking of leaving, but were hanging on in the hope of a redundancy payment, now know its not worth waiting

So you don't think that telling six people that only five are needed would instill an uncessessary sense of competition among those people? Or have a risk of some of the group feeling vulnerable? If I thought that I may not be needed, then I would question my value to the company and it would definitely affect my morale. 

A sense of competition can be a healthy thing for both employer and employee.  The employer has already said they are not planning any redundancies so there shouldn't be any anxiety caused.  Those who were thinking of leaving now know precisely what the situation is and have no reason to hang around in the vain hope of a handout.

RogerBareford

CloesUnc said:

Andy_L said:

It what way is it not "fair"? Plus "fair" is not a synonym for "legal"

Announcing it means that staff know there is no intention of making redundancies. If it was kept quite but staff knew there were problems with the business they would be worrying about being made redundant, this approach avoids that problem.

Those who were thinking of leaving, but were hanging on in the hope of a redundancy payment, now know its not worth waiting

So you don't think that telling six people that only five are needed would instill an uncessessary sense of competition among those people? Or have a risk of some of the group feeling vulnerable? If I thought that I may not be needed, then I would question my value to the company and it would definitely affect my morale. 

I'm not sure why anyone would not want to be told information at work?

I want as much information as possible about my job role and any decisions being made about it at work. I would never say i wanted less information.

General_Grant

CloesUnc said:

Andy_L said:

It what way is it not "fair"? Plus "fair" is not a synonym for "legal"

Announcing it means that staff know there is no intention of making redundancies. If it was kept quite but staff knew there were problems with the business they would be worrying about being made redundant, this approach avoids that problem.

Those who were thinking of leaving, but were hanging on in the hope of a redundancy payment, now know its not worth waiting

So you don't think that telling six people that only five are needed would instill an uncessessary sense of competition among those people? Or have a risk of some of the group feeling vulnerable? If I thought that I may not be needed, then I would question my value to the company and it would definitely affect my morale. 

No dismissal is envisaged, just changing the team somewhat.
Currently 6 people (let's assume all at same level).
After 1 of these leaves (of their own volition), there will be 5 at their original level plus 1 more junior. 
Why would that affect morale?
Original jobs valued the same and someone gets a step on the ladder (but lower down than the 5).