Being asked to relocate..
Discussion
Hi, hoping some knowledgable PH brains can help my old Mum out as I'm not very well read on HR matters and have heard conflicting information from different sources so far.
Situation is that my Mum has been asked to relocate as there is a reorganisation happening and her position is being 'removed'. She is a lowly admin clerk at her local NHS health centre and has been in the same office for nearly 20 years. She currently commutes about 2 miles to her work. She has been asked to relocate to a central NHS 'call centre' type workplace approx 18 miles away. Obviously she's none too chuffed with this scenario as the increase in travelling time is huge, although she will receive some monetary compensation for the travel costs.
Does she have any grounds for complaint on this matter? It seems there are on two or three other members of staff being asked to relocate. It would make sense to me for management to ask other members of staff if anyone would like to relocate or swap if it would suit them better, perhaps to be closer to their home etc. But this is NHS middle management we're talkng about here.
I know in these times of austerity, mass unemployment, redundances etc most people would be glad of any job and keeping her job is better than being made redundant, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone on here knew if there was anything she could do or ask the big bad public sector bosses to stay in the same location she's currently at. Should she just take the hit and be glad she still has a job to go to in the first place?
Any advice would be much appreciated
Situation is that my Mum has been asked to relocate as there is a reorganisation happening and her position is being 'removed'. She is a lowly admin clerk at her local NHS health centre and has been in the same office for nearly 20 years. She currently commutes about 2 miles to her work. She has been asked to relocate to a central NHS 'call centre' type workplace approx 18 miles away. Obviously she's none too chuffed with this scenario as the increase in travelling time is huge, although she will receive some monetary compensation for the travel costs.
Does she have any grounds for complaint on this matter? It seems there are on two or three other members of staff being asked to relocate. It would make sense to me for management to ask other members of staff if anyone would like to relocate or swap if it would suit them better, perhaps to be closer to their home etc. But this is NHS middle management we're talkng about here.
I know in these times of austerity, mass unemployment, redundances etc most people would be glad of any job and keeping her job is better than being made redundant, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone on here knew if there was anything she could do or ask the big bad public sector bosses to stay in the same location she's currently at. Should she just take the hit and be glad she still has a job to go to in the first place?
Any advice would be much appreciated
hmmm, let me see...
She's not being asked to "relocate" ie move home, just being told that the office is moving.
Now, unless she lives in Central London, the change from 2 miles to 18 miles would be deemed to be reasonable, so, the answer is no, she doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms if complaining about it. If it was 50 miles it would be a different argument, but its not. She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
She's not being asked to "relocate" ie move home, just being told that the office is moving.
Now, unless she lives in Central London, the change from 2 miles to 18 miles would be deemed to be reasonable, so, the answer is no, she doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms if complaining about it. If it was 50 miles it would be a different argument, but its not. She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
mondeoman said:
hmmm, let me see...
She's not being asked to "relocate" ie move home, just being told that the office is moving.
Now, unless she lives in Central London, the change from 2 miles to 18 miles would be deemed to be reasonable, so, the answer is no, she doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms if complaining about it. If it was 50 miles it would be a different argument, but its not. She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
Tell her to just go with it! could be far far worseShe's not being asked to "relocate" ie move home, just being told that the office is moving.
Now, unless she lives in Central London, the change from 2 miles to 18 miles would be deemed to be reasonable, so, the answer is no, she doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms if complaining about it. If it was 50 miles it would be a different argument, but its not. She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
mondeoman said:
hmmm, let me see...
She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
The NHS has whitley council rules on relocation, and I'm pretty sure 18 miles would constitute a major change. She's even being financially compensated for the additional travelling costs.
Her choice is either go along with the office move and make it work, or start looking for another job.
My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
New POD said:
The NHS has whitley council rules on relocation, and I'm pretty sure 18 miles would constitute a major change.
My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
Its 18 miles! do people really think that is unacceptable? I work for a private company (being made redundant on friday) My job was initially to be out on the road and then was told I needed to travel to the office every day as I was needed there instead. This involved a commute of 138 miles each day paid for by myself.My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
MonkeyMatt said:
Its 18 miles! do people really think that is unacceptable?
Sorry to hear about the redundancy.I don't think it's a lot of miles but guess it depends on how much your salary is vs the new commuting costs.
Personally I'd just suck it up and see what additional cash you can negotiate to soften the blow. In the past I've know for companies to close offices to merge operations and people have had the choice to either accept redundancy or commute hundred or so miles.
I'm assuming they've already made their minds up so is probably futile trying to complain about it. Sign of the times I'm afraid.
MonkeyMatt said:
New POD said:
The NHS has whitley council rules on relocation, and I'm pretty sure 18 miles would constitute a major change.
My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
Its 18 miles! do people really think that is unacceptable? I work for a private company (being made redundant on friday) My job was initially to be out on the road and then was told I needed to travel to the office every day as I was needed there instead. This involved a commute of 138 miles each day paid for by myself.My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a month. What if you just don't have £50 a month.
By the way : Good luck with the job searching.
Just to put things into perspective.
I travel 600 miles home every weekend, I have been sent away to not very nice places thousands of miles away for 6-7 months several times, often with very short notice, I have had a pay freeze for 2 years, My pension is about to change, I will be forcibly retired at 40, I have no union, blah blah blah.
Anyway, not complaining - love my job. There is always someone worse off.
I travel 600 miles home every weekend, I have been sent away to not very nice places thousands of miles away for 6-7 months several times, often with very short notice, I have had a pay freeze for 2 years, My pension is about to change, I will be forcibly retired at 40, I have no union, blah blah blah.
Anyway, not complaining - love my job. There is always someone worse off.
New POD said:
MonkeyMatt said:
New POD said:
The NHS has whitley council rules on relocation, and I'm pretty sure 18 miles would constitute a major change.
My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
Its 18 miles! do people really think that is unacceptable? I work for a private company (being made redundant on friday) My job was initially to be out on the road and then was told I needed to travel to the office every day as I was needed there instead. This involved a commute of 138 miles each day paid for by myself.My dad was an IT consultant who moved 120 miles within the NHS, and the rules on relocation were erm profitable.
Given the normal 45p a mile inland revenue limits, and the extra hour plus of travelling, you would expect the NHS to pick up the cost for a maximum of 2 years. She should try and negotiate a higher salary rather than accept temporary travel costs.
If she fancies a redundancy payout, she can, accept the change for up to 3 months before taking the redundancy package (gives her long enough to look for something closer)
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
Thats not the employers issue, get a bus, learn to drive, get a bike.
New POD said:
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
Again, not the employers issue. Make alternate arrangements.New POD said:
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
Then quit. Not the employers problem.New POD said:
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a month. What if you just don't have £50 a month.
She gets financial compensation, as previously stated.Employment isn't there for the good of the employee, if someone doesn't like an aspect of the job, then either leave or suck it up.
If it doesn't suit your social or personal state, then leave or adjust to suit.
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a month. What if you just don't have £50 a month.
Well...if you come under any of those then basically you're narrowing your potential audience aren't you...?What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a month. What if you just don't have £50 a month.
Mobile Chicane said:
Her job is being made redundant, therefore she could attempt to negotiate redundancy. Even at the statutory minimum this is currently £380 for every year of service - more dependent on age.
Depending on her chances of getting another job of course...
and she's been offered a viable other position within the organisation, so that dawg don't huntDepending on her chances of getting another job of course...
Well thanks for the replies. I didn't want this to turn into an argument, but as is always the way with pistonheads...... 
Anyway, I've thought a bit more about her situation and have come up with the suggestion that she speaks to her management and ask if there is anyone else who currently works at her location who would prefer to move, perhaps if it made life easier for them. There is a possibility that they may live closer to the other office and if they would prefer to swap, then there would be two happy workers I don't see the point in having unhappy workersif it can be avoided. Less productive and all that.
If there are no takers then she will look at the new base, try it for a while and then decide whether to stick with it or look at early retirement. At the moment the increase in travel time of 50mins each way is making her think of putting her feet up early.
BTW, if everyone who was asked to relocate to another office decided to jack it if it didn't suit them, the company/employer would need to spend shedloads of time and cash looking for annd training new personnel, something that could be avoided if a little thought went into asking current personnel at other locations if the move would suit them more. Just a thought....
As it happens I'm used to the moving around thing as I was in the forces and had to upsticks pretty regularly. I'll soon be moving again for work, from Glasgow to Aberdeen, so I understand people's "suck it up, deal with it" attitude. A bit different for someone nearing 60 who's a bit stuck in her ways though.
Anyway, I've thought a bit more about her situation and have come up with the suggestion that she speaks to her management and ask if there is anyone else who currently works at her location who would prefer to move, perhaps if it made life easier for them. There is a possibility that they may live closer to the other office and if they would prefer to swap, then there would be two happy workers
I don't see the point in having unhappy workersif it can be avoided. Less productive and all that.If there are no takers then she will look at the new base, try it for a while and then decide whether to stick with it or look at early retirement. At the moment the increase in travel time of 50mins each way is making her think of putting her feet up early.
BTW, if everyone who was asked to relocate to another office decided to jack it if it didn't suit them, the company/employer would need to spend shedloads of time and cash looking for annd training new personnel, something that could be avoided if a little thought went into asking current personnel at other locations if the move would suit them more. Just a thought....
As it happens I'm used to the moving around thing as I was in the forces and had to upsticks pretty regularly. I'll soon be moving again for work, from Glasgow to Aberdeen, so I understand people's "suck it up, deal with it" attitude. A bit different for someone nearing 60 who's a bit stuck in her ways though.
NobleGuy said:
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Well...if you come under any of those then basically you're narrowing your potential audience aren't you...?What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
New POD said:
NobleGuy said:
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Well...if you come under any of those then basically you're narrowing your potential audience aren't you...?What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
mondeoman said:
New POD said:
NobleGuy said:
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Well...if you come under any of those then basically you're narrowing your potential audience aren't you...?What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Believe it or not, not everyone here is a Powerfully Built Company Director.
WojaWabbit said:
Well thanks for the replies. I didn't want this to turn into an argument, but as is always the way with pistonheads......
Anyway, I've thought a bit more about her situation and have come up with the suggestion that she speaks to her management and ask if there is anyone else who currently works at her location who would prefer to move, perhaps if it made life easier for them. There is a possibility that they may live closer to the other office and if they would prefer to swap, then there would be two happy workers I don't see the point in having unhappy workersif it can be avoided. Less productive and all that.
If there are no takers then she will look at the new base, try it for a while and then decide whether to stick with it or look at early retirement. At the moment the increase in travel time of 50mins each way is making her think of putting her feet up early.
BTW, if everyone who was asked to relocate to another office decided to jack it if it didn't suit them, the company/employer would need to spend shedloads of time and cash looking for annd training new personnel, something that could be avoided if a little thought went into asking current personnel at other locations if the move would suit them more. Just a thought....
As it happens I'm used to the moving around thing as I was in the forces and had to upsticks pretty regularly. I'll soon be moving again for work, from Glasgow to Aberdeen, so I understand people's "suck it up, deal with it" attitude. A bit different for someone nearing 60 who's a bit stuck in her ways though.
I'm hazarding a guess that her employer knows her disinclination to adjust to a new location and new ways of working, and is hoping that she'll resign of her own accord rather than claim redundancy. With 20 years service under her belt, that will cost.Anyway, I've thought a bit more about her situation and have come up with the suggestion that she speaks to her management and ask if there is anyone else who currently works at her location who would prefer to move, perhaps if it made life easier for them. There is a possibility that they may live closer to the other office and if they would prefer to swap, then there would be two happy workers
I don't see the point in having unhappy workersif it can be avoided. Less productive and all that.If there are no takers then she will look at the new base, try it for a while and then decide whether to stick with it or look at early retirement. At the moment the increase in travel time of 50mins each way is making her think of putting her feet up early.
BTW, if everyone who was asked to relocate to another office decided to jack it if it didn't suit them, the company/employer would need to spend shedloads of time and cash looking for annd training new personnel, something that could be avoided if a little thought went into asking current personnel at other locations if the move would suit them more. Just a thought....
As it happens I'm used to the moving around thing as I was in the forces and had to upsticks pretty regularly. I'll soon be moving again for work, from Glasgow to Aberdeen, so I understand people's "suck it up, deal with it" attitude. A bit different for someone nearing 60 who's a bit stuck in her ways though.
However don't be fooled. Redundancy is redundancy.
Seek legal advice to confirm what I've said. Check her household contents insurance to see whether these have legal advice helplines built in.
If not, then get her down to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Good luck.
Mobile Chicane said:
mondeoman said:
New POD said:
NobleGuy said:
New POD said:
What if you can't drive ? The PA in my office walks 500 yrds to work, and can't drive?
What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Well...if you come under any of those then basically you're narrowing your potential audience aren't you...?What if you can drive, but need to go home for lunch to check on an elderly relative?
What if you can drive, but despite passing your test 25 years ago, have never driven more than 5 miles, and would be too scared to drive 18 miles in the dark or rain?
What if 18 miles will cost you £7 in fuel per day, which is what £11 before tax, which is £50 a week. What if you just don't have £200 a month.
Believe it or not, not everyone here is a Powerfully Built Company Director.
Feck all to do with being PBCD's (or not, as the case may be), more to do with understanding that ultimately the choice is yours to accept the job or not based on YOUR circumstances, and not expecting the employer to shower you with largesse just because you decided to work for them.
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