Employer trying to push me out

Flowerpotperson

My employer has given me notice of possible redundancy as they are expanding and wish to take on a full-time person (I currently work part time and am the only person performing this role). The duties that I currently undertake are within the full-time role job description.

I have enquired about job share, however they have yet to decide if they want one or two people.

They have made it clear that if it is to be one person, I do not have the necessary skills. The new full-time role has a much wider remit than my current part time role. One of the attributes that they have stated as essential will be an active church goer. I am not a religious person and my current admin role does not require me to be so.

They are siting the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9 Part 1 as a protected characteristic that the successful candidate will need to display. I would like to understand if this could be a genuine reason to make me redundant.

They have put forward a proposal to change my working hours from morning to afternoons, with occasional weekend and evenings. I do not currently do or want this.

I have worked there for three and a half years, and have had an excellent track record with them. However since the changes have been put forward, I get the distinct impression that they are looking to get rid of me.

They are working on a redundancy package offer which they have yet to present to me.

I would appreciate some advice concerning where I stand from an employment law point of view.

vacheron

Immediately I would say that religion (or lack of religion) is a protected characteristic, so they are on very shaky ground already requesting a churchgoer in their job description!

mjm3346

Presumably they are mentioning the act because they consider they have an exclusion , what type of company is it?

Flowerpotperson

Its a church

huckster

Contact ACAS to see what they advise.

Advice | Acas

Agree that stating Equaliities Act regarding religious beliefs required as part of an admin job is questionable.  Unless the new job description includes the person undertaking religious ceremonies

sheramber

What a the wider roles for the new position?

EnPointe

sheramber said:

What a the wider roles for the new position?

that is the key  question  ... 

if the OP cannot  reasonably  undertake the  expanded role   then there  may well be a redundancy scenario with their current role 

Hoenir

Flowerpotperson said:

They have put forward a proposal to change my working hours from morning to afternoons, with occasional weekend and evenings. I do not currently do or want this.

On a business level what lies behind the proposal. Employment after all is a two way relationship. Has to work for both parties.