Redundancy & suitable alternative employment query

Redundancy_clueless1

I have worked for more than two years in my current role, and I am in the consultation period (121 meetings as low number of is) I have been asked what I have done about job hunting. I asked politely what benefit it would do for me to share e.g. would I receive support, but I was told the onus was on me so I diverted from the question. I have read that employers should seek alternative employment but nothing has been suggested (onus on me) Does anyone know as to whether this is a legal requirement for employers to offer suitable alternative employment at this stage? (There are two available that I could apply for through the usual process) 

DullGreyGuy

https://www.acas.org.uk/your-rights-during-redundancy/taking-another-job-with-your-employer

In principle they should be the ones offering it to you but then if you decide you dont like the idea of the new role then you could be forfeiting your redundancy. It's therefore a bit 50/50... do you actually want either of the two positions? If you dont then do you really want to be forced into taking them by them offering it? 

If you do then why not say the one you prefer, if you do tell them via the consultancy process you should be considered alongside any of your other colleagues also facing redundency who also would want the role. 

Assuming there are more than 2 of you being made redundant I wouldnt personally complain about it being employee led. 

Brie

In my experience it's a lot of talk with no backing.  I've been told repeatedly (4 runs at redundancy in one company, 5 in another) that they would help me find a suitable role, that I would be prioritised so that I wouldn't have to be made redundant.  Essentially that has never happened.  The only time someone else found me a role was when my manager was chatting with someone from a different department who had a role suddenly open and convinced them I'd be perfect for the job and could start working with them the following week.  it wasn't really the perfect role and I left after a trial period and so retained my redundancy rights.  

So if you like the look of the two roles apply for both.  as above you will be given as much priority as any other employee already working there whether you are about to be made redundant or not.  

Hoenir

Redundancy_clueless1 said:

Does anyone know as to whether this is a legal requirement for employers to offer suitable alternative employment at this stage? (There are two available that I could apply for through the usual process) 

Much depends on the size of the organisation and the number of staff impacted. If available roles are freely advertised internally. Then individual employees can weigh up whether any role fits their personal skillset and make an application. 

gwynlas

As above you should be expressing an interest in any suitable vacancies within the company.

Also it would be expected for you to look for other employment if facing redundancy, you could always say that there appears to be none advertised that suit your skill set and that you might need to be more flexible

Not doing so would imply that you are not motivated so why should they consider you for any vacancy that they have.