Settlement Agreement / Severance Payment

Suzycoll

bigbars said:

Whilst I wait for an official formal offer. Is there anything I should be looking for or expecting?

I’ve been in my role for 15 + years,

Initial conversation included or mentioned :

- 3 months notice period payment taxed
- outstanding leave payment 
-  1 month salary untaxed payment
- standard reference not mentioning terms of the termination 

only thing I’ve just thought of is should I be requesting pension contribution payments continue  or any other benefits?

I’ll of course get legal advice once I have the letter/document. Just trying to get ahead of the curve as they like any offer in life claim to be giving a fair deal.

Hi Bigbars

I have read all the posts and some real useful information for you there. I am sorry for your predicament.

I don't have any advice per se except to say I am in a similar situation to you . I cannot work from the office re medical condition, employer cannot provide any reasonable adjustments and I cannot WFH.

Mu union rep thinks my employer will let me go on health grounds with compensation. He mentioned would be approx.  a years salary. I will know more in the next few months.

Keep us updated on this thread and take care

bigbars

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Whilst I wait for an official formal offer. Is there anything I should be looking for or expecting?

I’ve been in my role for 15 + years,

Initial conversation included or mentioned :

- 3 months notice period payment taxed
- outstanding leave payment 
-  1 month salary untaxed payment
- standard reference not mentioning terms of the termination 

only thing I’ve just thought of is should I be requesting pension contribution payments continue  or any other benefits?

I’ll of course get legal advice once I have the letter/document. Just trying to get ahead of the curve as they like any offer in life claim to be giving a fair deal.

Hi Bigbars

I have read all the posts and some real useful information for you there. I am sorry for your predicament.

I don't have any advice per se except to say I am in a similar situation to you . I cannot work from the office re medical condition, employer cannot provide any reasonable adjustments and I cannot WFH.

Mu union rep thinks my employer will let me go on health grounds with compensation. He mentioned would be approx.  a years salary. I will know more in the next few months.

Keep us updated on this thread and take care

Thanks, Will do. I was told a few weeks ago by HR that it would be a few days for the settlement offer, 2 weeks later late on Friday i got a meeting invite from HR for a catch up this week to discuss figures and next steps, so we'll see what happens. Union rep said to sit tight until I receive the formal offer, so not pushed HR and just sat waiting which has been annoying, regularly checking my inbox to make sure ive not missed anything. messing with my head...

A years salary ?? wow, my HR were talking about 1 month and my 3 months notice (pilon). I thought it best not to query or question anything until i see the terms formally. he openly said that if they went down the health grounds route I could end up with less compensation, with no experience of this situation I don't know whether it is another attempt to coerce me into the settlement rather than the medical grounds route to minimise their own exposure.

I'll keep the post updated when I know more, but its playing on my mind i just want it all done. their true colours has been shown once i didn't bend to their claims and be obedient and return to the office as instructed. fake care and concern really jus revolved around what work i do. we are expendable, Once you have exceeded your usefulness, you are no longer required.

Maybe its my anxiety, but I've been thinking so much about it the last few weeks, the years of commitments, a third of my life and the immense effort i have given and still give, and not even a fake attempt to encourage me not to leave, like im just being discarded. nice to feel needed and wanted. That is what made me consider to go, why would i want to work towards returning to this environment just to be used and taken advantage of, do they really want me or want what i can do. sometimes you just want to be wanted.

You take care also. This experience has defo taught me the importance of focus on yourself, because work really will not unless you toe their line.

Suzycoll

bigbars said:

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Whilst I wait for an official formal offer. Is there anything I should be looking for or expecting?

I’ve been in my role for 15 + years,

Initial conversation included or mentioned :

- 3 months notice period payment taxed
- outstanding leave payment 
-  1 month salary untaxed payment
- standard reference not mentioning terms of the termination 

only thing I’ve just thought of is should I be requesting pension contribution payments continue  or any other benefits?

I’ll of course get legal advice once I have the letter/document. Just trying to get ahead of the curve as they like any offer in life claim to be giving a fair deal.

Hi Bigbars

I have read all the posts and some real useful information for you there. I am sorry for your predicament.

I don't have any advice per se except to say I am in a similar situation to you . I cannot work from the office re medical condition, employer cannot provide any reasonable adjustments and I cannot WFH.

Mu union rep thinks my employer will let me go on health grounds with compensation. He mentioned would be approx.  a years salary. I will know more in the next few months.

Keep us updated on this thread and take care

Thanks, Will do. I was told a few weeks ago by HR that it would be a few days for the settlement offer, 2 weeks later late on Friday i got a meeting invite from HR for a catch up this week to discuss figures and next steps, so we'll see what happens. Union rep said to sit tight until I receive the formal offer, so not pushed HR and just sat waiting which has been annoying, regularly checking my inbox to make sure ive not missed anything. messing with my head...

A years salary ?? wow, my HR were talking about 1 month and my 3 months notice (pilon). I thought it best not to query or question anything until i see the terms formally. he openly said that if they went down the health grounds route I could end up with less compensation, with no experience of this situation I don't know whether it is another attempt to coerce me into the settlement rather than the medical grounds route to minimise their own exposure.

I'll keep the post updated when I know more, but its playing on my mind i just want it all done. their true colours has been shown once i didn't bend to their claims and be obedient and return to the office as instructed. fake care and concern really jus revolved around what work i do. we are expendable, Once you have exceeded your usefulness, you are no longer required.

Maybe its my anxiety, but I've been thinking so much about it the last few weeks, the years of commitments, a third of my life and the immense effort i have given and still give, and not even a fake attempt to encourage me not to leave, like im just being discarded. nice to feel needed and wanted. That is what made me consider to go, why would i want to work towards returning to this environment just to be used and taken advantage of, do they really want me or want what i can do. sometimes you just want to be wanted.

You take care also. This experience has defo taught me the importance of focus on yourself, because work really will not unless you toe their line.

Yes I know exactly how you feel. I have 23 years service but realised I am just a number now.

Just to add my union rep said approx a  years salary I think he was basing it on redundancy laws? I am a part time workers so not sure if mine  will be pro rata? I'm guessing if let go on health grounds technically you are made redundant?   I'm no expert though.

A really good site to look at is the ACAS website and also GOV website - link below . They gave information on redundancy and being dismissed (unfairly?)

Redundancy | Acas       Dismissing staff: Dismissals due to illness - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Good Luck and keep in touch 

lincroft1710

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Whilst I wait for an official formal offer. Is there anything I should be looking for or expecting?

I’ve been in my role for 15 + years,

Initial conversation included or mentioned :

- 3 months notice period payment taxed
- outstanding leave payment 
-  1 month salary untaxed payment
- standard reference not mentioning terms of the termination 

only thing I’ve just thought of is should I be requesting pension contribution payments continue  or any other benefits?

I’ll of course get legal advice once I have the letter/document. Just trying to get ahead of the curve as they like any offer in life claim to be giving a fair deal.

Hi Bigbars

I have read all the posts and some real useful information for you there. I am sorry for your predicament.

I don't have any advice per se except to say I am in a similar situation to you . I cannot work from the office re medical condition, employer cannot provide any reasonable adjustments and I cannot WFH.

Mu union rep thinks my employer will let me go on health grounds with compensation. He mentioned would be approx.  a years salary. I will know more in the next few months.

Keep us updated on this thread and take care

Thanks, Will do. I was told a few weeks ago by HR that it would be a few days for the settlement offer, 2 weeks later late on Friday i got a meeting invite from HR for a catch up this week to discuss figures and next steps, so we'll see what happens. Union rep said to sit tight until I receive the formal offer, so not pushed HR and just sat waiting which has been annoying, regularly checking my inbox to make sure ive not missed anything. messing with my head...

A years salary ?? wow, my HR were talking about 1 month and my 3 months notice (pilon). I thought it best not to query or question anything until i see the terms formally. he openly said that if they went down the health grounds route I could end up with less compensation, with no experience of this situation I don't know whether it is another attempt to coerce me into the settlement rather than the medical grounds route to minimise their own exposure.

I'll keep the post updated when I know more, but its playing on my mind i just want it all done. their true colours has been shown once i didn't bend to their claims and be obedient and return to the office as instructed. fake care and concern really jus revolved around what work i do. we are expendable, Once you have exceeded your usefulness, you are no longer required.

Maybe its my anxiety, but I've been thinking so much about it the last few weeks, the years of commitments, a third of my life and the immense effort i have given and still give, and not even a fake attempt to encourage me not to leave, like im just being discarded. nice to feel needed and wanted. That is what made me consider to go, why would i want to work towards returning to this environment just to be used and taken advantage of, do they really want me or want what i can do. sometimes you just want to be wanted.

You take care also. This experience has defo taught me the importance of focus on yourself, because work really will not unless you toe their line.

Yes I know exactly how you feel. I have 23 years service but realised I am just a number now.

Just to add my union rep said approx a  years salary I think he was basing it on redundancy laws? I am a part time workers so not sure if mine  will be pro rata? I'm guessing if let go on health grounds technically you are made redundant?   I'm no expert though.

A really good site to look at is the ACAS website and also GOV website - link below . They gave information on redundancy and being dismissed (unfairly?)

Redundancy | Acas       Dismissing staff: Dismissals due to illness - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Good Luck and keep in touch 

Being dismissed on health grounds is NOT redundancy. Redundancy can only occur if the job being done ceases to exist or the employer needs fewer people to do that task

bigbars

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Suzycoll said:

bigbars said:

Whilst I wait for an official formal offer. Is there anything I should be looking for or expecting?

I’ve been in my role for 15 + years,

Initial conversation included or mentioned :

- 3 months notice period payment taxed
- outstanding leave payment 
-  1 month salary untaxed payment
- standard reference not mentioning terms of the termination 

only thing I’ve just thought of is should I be requesting pension contribution payments continue  or any other benefits?

I’ll of course get legal advice once I have the letter/document. Just trying to get ahead of the curve as they like any offer in life claim to be giving a fair deal.

Hi Bigbars

I have read all the posts and some real useful information for you there. I am sorry for your predicament.

I don't have any advice per se except to say I am in a similar situation to you . I cannot work from the office re medical condition, employer cannot provide any reasonable adjustments and I cannot WFH.

Mu union rep thinks my employer will let me go on health grounds with compensation. He mentioned would be approx.  a years salary. I will know more in the next few months.

Keep us updated on this thread and take care

Thanks, Will do. I was told a few weeks ago by HR that it would be a few days for the settlement offer, 2 weeks later late on Friday i got a meeting invite from HR for a catch up this week to discuss figures and next steps, so we'll see what happens. Union rep said to sit tight until I receive the formal offer, so not pushed HR and just sat waiting which has been annoying, regularly checking my inbox to make sure ive not missed anything. messing with my head...

A years salary ?? wow, my HR were talking about 1 month and my 3 months notice (pilon). I thought it best not to query or question anything until i see the terms formally. he openly said that if they went down the health grounds route I could end up with less compensation, with no experience of this situation I don't know whether it is another attempt to coerce me into the settlement rather than the medical grounds route to minimise their own exposure.

I'll keep the post updated when I know more, but its playing on my mind i just want it all done. their true colours has been shown once i didn't bend to their claims and be obedient and return to the office as instructed. fake care and concern really jus revolved around what work i do. we are expendable, Once you have exceeded your usefulness, you are no longer required.

Maybe its my anxiety, but I've been thinking so much about it the last few weeks, the years of commitments, a third of my life and the immense effort i have given and still give, and not even a fake attempt to encourage me not to leave, like im just being discarded. nice to feel needed and wanted. That is what made me consider to go, why would i want to work towards returning to this environment just to be used and taken advantage of, do they really want me or want what i can do. sometimes you just want to be wanted.

You take care also. This experience has defo taught me the importance of focus on yourself, because work really will not unless you toe their line.

Yes I know exactly how you feel. I have 23 years service but realised I am just a number now.

Just to add my union rep said approx a  years salary I think he was basing it on redundancy laws? I am a part time workers so not sure if mine  will be pro rata? I'm guessing if let go on health grounds technically you are made redundant?   I'm no expert though.

A really good site to look at is the ACAS website and also GOV website - link below . They gave information on redundancy and being dismissed (unfairly?)

Redundancy | Acas       Dismissing staff: Dismissals due to illness - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Good Luck and keep in touch 

Good luck to you also. Thanks for the link. so much info to read.

Clever that so much is hidden from view,

I must have read my employment handbook a million times and so much detail is lacking in terms of how this process goes so all at the will of HR, guess it doesn't serve them well to clearly define everything so they are not held accountable, so the handbook and processes are as vague as they are permitted. For example, people ask what is there process on disciplinary or settlement in this case, but no document available to define that. Can you really go to HR and ask, what is their process.

HR and management want to portray themselves as your best friend, best interests at heard, but that is the shroud they hide behind to get what they want out of you. I've since come to reason, most of the pressure is amounting from the work going on in the office, I have consistently said I didn't want to return prematurely to only regress and have to backtrack. As a number they just have a clever retort to justify, just a few hours here, just do this, just do that. Where they ultimately should and could fix processes and training and development, so that there is no single point of failure or reliance, it has never been looked at, being arrogant, maybe as i was always there, they have never addressed the shortcomings of my team and processes, so I for most of my 15 years have been seen as the firefighter (figuratively speaking). The one to do the hard yards and projects.

The definition of the terms and the role is my concern as I don't think it will be billed as a redundancy so I would love a years salary but doubt it for myself. The behaviour of HR and my boss has highlighted their true colours and feelings. Can honestly say I have had 0 direct contact with management since the formal meeting.... just indirect comms, can you do x and y. or cc-ing on general mails.... way to feel the love.

Most importantly, Take Care !!

bigbars

Update:

The timing I’m sure isn’t coincidental. It’s been 3 weeks since I had my without prejudice meeting, it ended with HR saying it would be a couple of days to get the offer to me. End of last week was sent an invite for for an update meeting, where they confirmed the proposal figures and next steps as they put it. 

Formal Offer doc received 30mins before the end of my shift;

3 months untaxed
3 months notice taxed
outstanding annual leave
contribution towards legal review.
access to assistance services, guess like job seekers type thing 
Gardening leave from tomorrow until the end of the month which amounts to the from what I understand standard 10 days review period of the offer.

have passed this on to my union rep for review, but with no experience of this situation i does that appear to be a fair offer? the value appears more than statutory redundancy but this isn’t redundancy and termed as termination by mutual consent. My initial concern was the wording of the reference which although stating title, length of service could intimate a issue of sorts without saying it.

and just like that… well provisionally… until I sign on the dotted line.. 15 years is over. ..hush hush… say nothing… out the back door you go.

lincroft1710

Very important this - did the document have the words "WITHOUT PREJUDICE" on it?

bigbars

lincroft1710 said:

Very important this - did the document have the words "WITHOUT PREJUDICE" on it?

Yes it did. "Without Prejudice settlement agreement" and without prejudice and subject to contract

lincroft1710

Then they can withdraw the offer if you do not agree

Suzycoll

bigbars said:

Update:

The timing I’m sure isn’t coincidental. It’s been 3 weeks since I had my without prejudice meeting, it ended with HR saying it would be a couple of days to get the offer to me. End of last week was sent an invite for for an update meeting, where they confirmed the proposal figures and next steps as they put it. 

Formal Offer doc received 30mins before the end of my shift;

3 months untaxed
3 months notice taxed
outstanding annual leave
contribution towards legal review.
access to assistance services, guess like job seekers type thing 
Gardening leave from tomorrow until the end of the month which amounts to the from what I understand standard 10 days review period of the offer.

have passed this on to my union rep for review, but with no experience of this situation i does that appear to be a fair offer? the value appears more than statutory redundancy but this isn’t redundancy and termed as termination by mutual consent. My initial concern was the wording of the reference which although stating title, length of service could intimate a issue of sorts without saying it.

and just like that… well provisionally… until I sign on the dotted line.. 15 years is over. ..hush hush… say nothing… out the back door you go.

HI. I am unable to comment on the offer I'm afraid.

However, at least it is progress - much better than not knowing what is going on . Well done for that . I know it doesn't feel like it at the moment but this is a new start for you. I'm not sure if you are looking for work but any employer would be glad to have you....and value you more

I'm waiting for HR appointment , although my case is different as I am on sick leave.

Onwards ad upwards. Stay positive.