Redundancy - Outcome day

Shei_Grl

Hi

I am in a pool of two people where 1 of us will be made redundant.

During the process, I was told by a senior manager "not to bother looking for a new job" because the role description matches what I do.  I have also been told that my score is higher than my colleague's. 

However, as you can see above, the process is not really following the rules, and I suspect that my colleague will survive because she has been working with the company for 20 years and so I will be the cheapest person to make redundant with only 3 years work.

Our Outcome day is tomorrow.  I requested that I know as soon as possible tomorrow and can see that my colleague's meeting is 60 minutes before mine.  Should I read anything into that?

Also, considering that I have been told numerous times I am "going to be ok", and suspecting that I will not be because higher management are to make a decision based on costs, and considering that usually they tell the good news first so my later call indicates I am being made redundant - would I have any course to appeal on those grounds?  I have a good relationship with my colleague and manager, and don't want to burn bridges, but I would feel cheated because I have taken them at their word, and have not looked for new jobs for that reason.

Many thanks

lincroft1710

2 people, 1 job. Management should be looking for the better person for the job. Can you demonstrate or prove you are the better person for the job? If not, I don't think you have any grounds for appeal.

Shei_Grl

lincroft1710 said:

2 people, 1 job. Management should be looking for the better person for the job. Can you demonstrate or prove you are the better person for the job? If not, I don't think you have any grounds for appeal.

I can prove it because my manager has told me I had a higher score than my colleague.  The scores have gone to senior management (large company, so will not have a clue what either me or my colleague does) for review.

The only possible reason they could review my score down, or my colleague's up, is because my colleague will be more expensive to make redundant as senior management will have no idea what we do.

Also, my colleague's meeting is before mine.  Should I read anything into that?  

Plasticman

Don't read anything into the timing. If you are chosen and you think it's been unfair you can appeal. Details on the ACAS website.

If you feel the redundancy was unfair: Your rights during redundancy - Acas

lincroft1710

Senior management will usually have a better overall view of company needs and requirements, so although your manager may think you are the better candidate, senior management may consider your colleague can bring more to the role, more especially in the future. So there could be good reason for choosing your colleague over you other than perceived costs of redundancy. But from what you are saying this does not seem to be the case.


Of course if you are chosen for redundancy, you can appeal, but the prudent employer will be able to show why your colleague was more useful to the company.


As your colleague is the senior employee, that is good reason for them to call them first. They may be the one being made redundant and management may expect them not to go quietly, so can use the excuse of your meeting to limit your colleague's meeting to 60 minutes.


Just wait and see what happens. It is too early to start thinking about appealing

Brie

Yes the colleagues redundancy would be more than yours.  But maybe that redundancy is cheaper than getting rid of that person by the longwinded HR ways.  If they have had lower appraisal ratings, lower on their targets or productivity then you may well be the better person to keep.

With redundancy I have tried to not leave anything to chance so whenever it's been announced (been through it about 8 or 9 times now!) I take the time to review my cv and check what my potential redundancy payout would be.  These things calm my brain as I'm then ready to think clearly when talking to my manager and also when talking to my OH who hits the panic button with any of these events.

400ixl

Hopefully the OP hasn't updated as they are out celebrating.

Hope you got the outcome you wanted.