Job relocating - mobility clause advice

SRRAE wrote: »

I feel there are several possibilities.

Working from home most of the week.
This has been mentioned as an unofficial workaround, but all it takes is a change in management to start demanding everyone comes in everyday and we are screwed. I'd want it official.

I would also like wages increased to reflect the higher going wage the job position achieves in the Manchester area. Wages for similar jobs based in Manchester are about 10% higher.

Failing that I want to be offered redundancy,

You can ask for anything you like. Obviously, whether you get it or not is an entirely different matter.

I am afraid that there also a difference between what you think is "too generic" a mobility clause, and what actually is. As a starting point, generally employment tribunals operate on any reification within 50 miles / 90 minutes is reasonable whether or not there is a mobility clause. That's case law that has been repeatedly tested (it is, by the way, also the criteria used by the DWP for out of work benefits), and whilst some exceptions have been allowed, they are few and far between. If your employer refuses redundancy, are you willing to voluntarily give up your employment, with no entitlement to benefits, to test that? Because if you are, you're a lot braver than I am.

You have no right to time off for your appointments, and the employer is not even changing that term - so that has no relevance. The fact that you couldn't make it within that time is unfortunate, but there will be people currently who also can't because they have a longer commute now. I'm afraid that just falls into the category of cookie crumbling- you are lucky to get any paid time off for appointments as many employers don't offer it.

And I'm afraid that you won't appreciate this point, but your childcare arrangements are nothing to do with your job. You could ask for flexible working to either reduce your hours so you can continue to do so (or share with the other parent) or look at other potential variables in working to improve your balance on work / life, but obviously a reduction in hours would go alongside a reduction in pay.

You are on a hiding to nothing asking for a wage increase to reflect higher living costs in Manchester. It'd be a hiding to nothing in the best of circumstances - given you are not moving to Manchester then your living expenses actually aren't increasing! You could ask about the possibility of an allowance for the additional mileage, but that would be temporary.

But the cards here are on the employers side, and there is no real reason they have to offer anything at all. So you / your colleagues will need to be realistic about how much power you have to negotiate anything.

One final point, but if there is a recognised union, obviously it will be them that does the negotiating anyway, and them that agrees any terms. In which case, unless you are a member, you won't get any say.