Redundancy Consultation Meeting Advice

[Mr Snrub]

By 31st July the company I work for is ceasing all UK operations so everyone is being made redundant with no option of a transfer or alternative employment. The whole process has been nothing short of a shambles, and I have only just had it confirmed that my first consultation is on Monday where they will table their offer. I've been with the company just over 5 years, the first of which was as a temp. I know what to expect in regards to statutory redundancy and my notice period, but am also aware that anyone who was there on or before 2010 is getting 2 1/2 weeks pay for every year whereas I only get one. To make things more complicated there were two main contracts that have been taken by two different companies, so everyone who worked for them will get an offer from the company taking their contract, whereas since my job role entailed dealing with both, my offer will come from the company I work for. So there is the distinct possibility that people on the same pay and roles will get offered different amounts. The consultations for the other two haven't even started yet, so those who work for them will effectively get another month's pay since you can't be let go until the process is complete.

I've never been made redundant before so am unsure how to approach this meeting. Since they can't offer me less than the legal minimum and I'll be gone in two weeks no matter what, I don't exactly have much to lose by pushing for an enhanced payout. So my main question is how should I go about it? I'm not in a union but will take a staff rep with me and not sign until the second meeting. Should I go the nice approach, thanking them for employing me but saying I feel I should get the same as other people there, play the sympathy card that I have to run a house since handed and may take time to find a new job, or (which I have to admit I'd love to do) tell them they way I've been treated is a disgrace, causing no end of stress, and I should be given more?

Thanks in advance.

[SeanyD]

Having been through this, my own personal advice would be to accept it, and all the anger/energy/frustration/resent you might currently be feeling, channel all that energy, keep positive, and look forward to something newer and better. Life's too short to dwell on things.

All my own opinion.

[Davel]

what ^^ ^^ ^^ says!

They won't be interested in your personal problems sadly.

Good luck!

[ruggedscotty]

I just passed my 15 year anniversary - a couple of weeks back was notified that my position was displaced. I had two choices Voluntary Redundancy. or redeployment. As my skills are not required in the bank, Im taking VR. 3.5 weeks per year.

Its not personal - you may be angry etc but bottom line is they owe you nothing like you owe them nothing. If you had been offered a new job with another company or won the lottery you would have been otta there. Life happens. Companies fold move etc. best do what was said earlier and channel everything into finding another job - dont be too fussy best in a job bringing in money than waiting for THE job.

Good luck and Id not bother with trying to get anything as they will have costed the event and wont be interested in giving you any more than what they have to.

Sadly its happening more and more these days

Edited by ruggedscotty on Friday 15th July 09:10

[edc]

In terms of process it seems like there has already been some sort of wider consultation/communication as you already know what is happening to the business and when it is going to happen. The individual consultation is largely there to discuss your individual circumstances. You may not like what is happening and you may wish you knew the details earlier but on the face of it the process seems to be going as expected. You can ask for copies of the redundancy calculation basis and query any potential differences. However, spending the next few weeks arguing the semantics over what may only amount to a couple £100 rather than seeking a new role that may see you start almost immediately rather than with a few weeks gap seems like fighting the wrong battle to me.

[Mr Snrub]

Thanks for the replies - had the meeting today and as expected they gave bare minimum to everyone, even those who'd been there nearly 20 years. Union are coming down Thursday since apparently there have been some irregularities with the process but I'm not holding out much hope.The truth is, as some have pointed out, we are just disposable numbers on a sheet.

[Lostprophet]

I am also being made redundant. On my last day I would have been at the company for 2.5 years and I am getting 3 months redundancy pay plus my bonus. My friends received in a similar amount when they were made redundant in similar positions. I get my contractual notice period which is a few months. I can't complain and happy to be moving on.

I was made redundant back in 2009 when the markets went pair shaped. I was younger then and so I took it personally. I also received statutory payment which was peanuts as I wasn't there long!

I realise it isn't personal, it is the way it is, it's business. I also realize if you work hard in a company and you put all the hours in you can expect no loyalty when it comes to job cuts. I put the hours in for the bonus. I now realise big companies don't give a flying rats ass about you. It's the bottom line costs and shareholder returns that is important!

Take what you can and move on. I hope the period isn't stressful for you.. I am sure it will be. Look onwards if you can. Best of luck.