Civil Service - Applying for Voluntary Redundancy

Julezy101

Hello,

I am retiring in March 2027 at age 58. Whilst there is no mention of any redundancies at the moment I was wondering what the process was for applying as there's no harm in asking?

My team have undergone a recent recruitment exercise which means IMO the team is now completely overstaffed and my work can definitely be covered by others now. This would form the basis of the case I would be able to put forward.

Has anyone been through something similar and can offer any advise on the best way forward.

Thanks

Isthisforreal99

Would say there is zero point in asking.

Unless Cabinet Office announce a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme is ain't going to happen on a one to one basis.

sammyjammy

As above, you don't get to make a case, there is a formal procedure and rules about who gets to go, if and its a big if someone on high decides there are too many on your team in all likelihood they will just move some on to new teams.

hugheskevi

It is important to appreciate the difference between 2 different types of paid voluntary exit in the Civil Service.

(1) Voluntary Exit, typically used when an employer wants to reduce staff and can either be a bulk exercise or just an individual. This is truly voluntary, ie, employee can not apply to a general scheme, or decline an offer, with no consequences. Although it is possible that an employer may then move toward Voluntary Redundancy at a later stage.

(2) Voluntary Redundancy. Used when an employer needs to reduce staff, eg, an office closure. This isn't really voluntary, as usually an employer would proceed to Compulsory Redundancy which has less favourable terms if the Voluntary Redundancy offer is rejected.

Your chances of Voluntary Redundancy are much lower than being offered Voluntary Exit. Voluntary Redundancy can be much more expensive, as pension actuarial reduction buy-out has to be offered.

It all depends on your Department's HR function as to what they might be minded to offer, and when that might be. Single-person exit schemes are permitted, and not uncommon, but many HR areas are very reluctant to offer them except to senior staff.

In your position, the best way to try to get a paid exit is to try to get put into a surplus pool (which might be called something like a redeployment hub or whatever your Department prefers), then try to avoid getting a permanent role, and wait to see if any paid exits are offered. But that is unlikely to be quick.

Unless Cabinet Office announce a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme is ain't going to happen on a one to one basis.

It is individual employers who announce Voluntary Redundancy Schemes (and in practice there may well not be any announcement except to the individual's involved); the Cabinet Office's role is only to approve schemes proposed by individual employers.

kempiejon

A route I missed out on at a similar readying-for-retirement stage was a request for flexible working. No idea how the CS would treat such a request, staff do have some legal support and a right to ask. Of course retiring at 58 with less than 12 months to go it might queer any current plan but it could helpfully signal a willingness to step away. The last firm I was at offered an enhanced early exit as a way of sloughing expensive senior staff, or they did until the month I enquired about it when it magically disappear from company policy. Perfidious kinstard the COO there…

Julezy101

Thanks for the replies.

Doesn't sound like its something I can just enquire about. I'm sure around 2019 someone in our team went down this route and got the redundancy but I think there was a CS wide redundancy exercise at the time.

The thing is when I go in March next year my job is almost certainly not going to be replaced and the work will be absorbed by the new starters. Also the CS don't know yet that I'll be leaving next year and if they were to offer redundancy they would be saving a lot of money than if I stayed till 65 for example.

daveyjp

in organisations like the civil service it is the post which is removed. If the team has expanded the departmental budget must have been increased to cover the extra salary costs and this will be based on a business case demonstrating more staff are needed.

Removing posts is never straightfowards or an easy decision as that means losing the budget for the post. If you leave others may do the work, but the post will still be on the structure.

marlot

If you're planning to take your civil service pension in March, I'd recommend applying now.

They have quite a backlog. Especially if you may be in scope for a McCloud adjustment.

hugheskevi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82094408#Comment_82094408

Note that in Angela MacDonald's update of 25 June it was stated:

Capita will not process quotation requests which are for dates beyond a 4-month timescale.

Although I suppose an argument could be made that they aren't doing very well processing those within a 4 month timescale…

horsewithnoname

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82094408#Comment_82094408

McCloud won’t make any difference, now it is enacted you’ll get the choice when you take your pension. The people waiting are those who took their pension between 2015 and 31 September 2023.

Julezy101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82094901#Comment_82094901

No, I'll be taking it in March 2029 at age 60 - hopefully all the mess will be sorted out by then…..