Getting sacked for reducing hours.

[anonymous-user]

Hi guys, been working for a big retail company for nearly 6 years now. I'm considered as one of the top staff in my department and I have shown a lot of loyalty and gone out of the way a lot of times in order to please the company.

I do shift work and for the last 18 months I have had my hours increased to support the department as someone had gone on maternity leave, the said staff came back but I was still able to keep my hours however in the recent months the company has been in trouble and also our department has been overbooked so I was told to reduce some hours and I happily obliged as I have university, however before I have even started my reduced hours (-10 hours) I have been told that I will either have to leave my department or leave the company due to reducing my hours and now it's looking more towards the latter option.

Now I have no clue if all this is legal and if I have a foot to stand on if I were to object to their demands, would appreciate some help.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 January 23:01

[anonymous-user]

OP, you need to explain the facts more clearly. What demands is the company making of you? It sounds like the company may be proposing to make you redundant. It is very unlikely to be sacking you for reducing the hours worked at its request (well, if it is, that's mad, but I think you may be misinterpreting what's happening). The company has to carry out a fair procedure before making you redundant.

Have a look here -

https://www.gov.uk/redundant-your-rights/overview

At this stage, you should be talking to your manager and/or the HR department asking for clarity as to the company's plans. Don't get shouty, and document all conversations.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 23 January 07:50

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 23 January 15:12

[anonymous-user]

So far the manager has been very vague, initially I was told everything would be fine and everything confirmed with regards to the new hours but then he told me the company is reshuffling and I would need to possibly change departments and a few hours later I was told that things have escalated and they might have to get rid of me.

I've yet to sit down and have official talks but another member of staff close to the management has heard that they want to get rid of me. I'm guessing I will be made redundant then, however the whole reason for doing this is due to me reducing my hours which they wanted me to do in the first place. So their real reason just doesn't make much sense.

[Foliage]

Firstly read your contract, secondly get whatever it is the hell they are doing in writing.

Tell them your happy to discuss options with them with regards your hours (make it clear that you are both happy to keep your hours the same, reduce them to your previous none maternity cover or in fact anything in between) and want to accommodate the needs of the business BUT any decisions that they make need to be given to you in writing.

Until you get something in writing id try not to worry about the ifs/buts.

Also do not sign anything or accept their first redundancy offer without giving it a few days/a week to consider, personally after 6 years id want more than statutory. You may also wasn't to consider that the proper process isn't being followed.

Have a read of this - https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/redundancies-dis...