Forced Relocation

MaebyJade

Thanks for the advice everyone. Looks like time to probably start looking for a new job. I know everyone is different and 1 hour travel is probably not much for some people but to lose 10 hours a week minimum on commuting will impact my family life a bit too much. If there was an option to work 2 or 3 days from home it wouldn't be an issue at all. 

400ixl

Have they said it has to be 5 days in the head office? Maybe ask if there is a hybrid compromise.

Cobbler_tone

I agree with a previous poster, option 2 does sound punitive and not quite sure it is a business I would stay around with for long. It is a clear tactic to avoid offering redundancy as they would probably struggle as avoiding option 1 being deemed a 'significant' change to your role.
Option 1 could be translated as "you can stay here if you like but we are going to treat you like sh*t" There is either a valid job where you are or there isn't, unless they intend to get you sweeping up?

I have lived through (and next to) a LOT of redundancy consultations and change programmes with a large organisation and we would never pitch changes in this manner.

DullGreyGuy

MaebyJade said:

Hi,

So 3.5 years ago I started my current role for a big online retailer. My contract stats my work location as one of their warehouses, I'm in a finance role and support that specific warehouse. I've been doing well and had a promotion in that time, been rated as a high achiever in performance reviews and was eyeing/on plan for more progression going forward.

Today all field based staff (about 20 of us) who are base at different locations across the country, like myself were asked to join a call and basically told we have 2 options;

1. Relocate to a corporate office. My commute goes from 10mins drive to an hour by train, costing me time and money.

2. Stay where I am but would no longer be eligible for future payrises or promotion

Would love any advice on what my options are here and if this is legal? I can't do that commute but I also don't want to do a job where there's no hope of progression. It feels like they are trying to cut heads and done this in the hope some of us resign. 

Does your contract guarantee you future payrises or promotions? It would be very odd if it did but thats the only way it would become a breach of contract. 

They've been fairly open, they could have gone with option B and just let you stay were you are and just tell you each year you didnt qualify for a pay rise and say you weren't the successful candidate on any application for promotion.