New project that will result in my redundancy
Discussion
Hi All
I work in IT as a systems developer for a small company, that is owned by a parent company.
My MD (parent company puppet) brought me in for a chat on Monday.. and in summary, the parent company wish to migrate and consolidate our systems that I manage into the core systems. Surprise surprise, he said that this will most likely make my role redundant..
He also said its highly likely that I will be required to work on the migration, and that I might be given some sort of bonus to work on this.
Obviously I am a bit pissed off, especially as he approved a 1 months holiday over xmas just the other week. But i've suspected this would happen one day, but before xmas with a big holiday is going to screw me financially..
As an employee, can I refuse to work on this or would that be a bad idea? Talk of a bonus to work on the project sounds nice, but I know he doesnt call the shots, so am not sure if that would actually materialise..
One friend has advised that if the company want me to work on the project, then I should think about taking the redundancy and then returning as a contractor.. I'm not sure if the company would accept this, but it does seem like a good idea..
Over to you..
I work in IT as a systems developer for a small company, that is owned by a parent company.
My MD (parent company puppet) brought me in for a chat on Monday.. and in summary, the parent company wish to migrate and consolidate our systems that I manage into the core systems. Surprise surprise, he said that this will most likely make my role redundant..
He also said its highly likely that I will be required to work on the migration, and that I might be given some sort of bonus to work on this.
Obviously I am a bit pissed off, especially as he approved a 1 months holiday over xmas just the other week. But i've suspected this would happen one day, but before xmas with a big holiday is going to screw me financially..
As an employee, can I refuse to work on this or would that be a bad idea? Talk of a bonus to work on the project sounds nice, but I know he doesnt call the shots, so am not sure if that would actually materialise..
One friend has advised that if the company want me to work on the project, then I should think about taking the redundancy and then returning as a contractor.. I'm not sure if the company would accept this, but it does seem like a good idea..
Over to you..
Your friend is correct with the caveat that this is with the blessing of the company you work for.
This way the risk is shared between you and the company.
You will still want a reference whatever happens, this might be worth more than any potential gains you might get through squeezing them via a contract.
They don't know (for sure) how long the migration will take so, it might work in your favour.
Start putting your irons into fires, it is tough out there but at least you have five weeks before silly season starts. Worst case i would plan to be out of work during December, Jan and Feb and plan your finances accordingly.
This way the risk is shared between you and the company.
You will still want a reference whatever happens, this might be worth more than any potential gains you might get through squeezing them via a contract.
They don't know (for sure) how long the migration will take so, it might work in your favour.
Start putting your irons into fires, it is tough out there but at least you have five weeks before silly season starts. Worst case i would plan to be out of work during December, Jan and Feb and plan your finances accordingly.
Thinking out loud, but if the migration is possible before Christmas, then it can't be so complicated that you are the only person who can do it? I'd be very careful about the contractor route.
We're moving to SAP from legacy systems at my work and the schedule is for it to take seven years from end to end. Each site takes around two years.
We're moving to SAP from legacy systems at my work and the schedule is for it to take seven years from end to end. Each site takes around two years.
Taking redundancy then returning as a contractor? The role won't be redundant until the work is complete so there won't be an opportunity to 'take' redundancy then return as contractor. You could resign and see if they then take you as a contractor. If after resigning this is your only option then you aren't exactly in the best position to get premium rates.
Feel free to refuse to do the work but you might find yourself out of a job and with no redundancy and a poor reference in exchange.
I have been in the unfortunate position to action and or oversee a number of 'restructuring' exercises and have even 'restructured' myself a few years back!
Feel free to refuse to do the work but you might find yourself out of a job and with no redundancy and a poor reference in exchange.
I have been in the unfortunate position to action and or oversee a number of 'restructuring' exercises and have even 'restructured' myself a few years back!
Things rarely pan out as first described; at the moment there seems to be some speculation. I'd continue to smile, be a valued employee and work hard at whatever is required. If it does pan out as described, at least you will be in a position of strength to either look for other roles in the organisation or leave on a high with additional experiences and a redundancy package. I would however get my CV in to shape and start networking immediately. Good luck!
Thanks for your input guys..
Its time for the parent company to deliver the christmas shafting.. Over the two xmas's that I've worked here, there have been significant numbers of redundancies prior to xmas.. Think its to do with setting budgets for next year.. So, the fact that i've been unofficially warned by my MD says that it will happen.
I've seen the way redundancies are handled in our small company... In March 3 staff were made redundant after the company lost a contract. Only in the last week of their notice period the MD realised that they had no one to cover the other these people carried out for other clients.
I've booked a 1 month holiday over xmas, from mid December to mid January.. So, yes.. I'll have to assume i'll be out of work until March/ April..
Its time for the parent company to deliver the christmas shafting.. Over the two xmas's that I've worked here, there have been significant numbers of redundancies prior to xmas.. Think its to do with setting budgets for next year.. So, the fact that i've been unofficially warned by my MD says that it will happen.
I've seen the way redundancies are handled in our small company... In March 3 staff were made redundant after the company lost a contract. Only in the last week of their notice period the MD realised that they had no one to cover the other these people carried out for other clients.
I've booked a 1 month holiday over xmas, from mid December to mid January.. So, yes.. I'll have to assume i'll be out of work until March/ April..
Edited by ThunderSmurf on Friday 26th October 00:36
ThunderSmurf said:
Hi All
I work in IT as a systems developer for a small company, that is owned by a parent company.
My MD (parent company puppet) brought me in for a chat on Monday.. and in summary, the parent company wish to migrate and consolidate our systems that I manage into the core systems. Surprise surprise, he said that this will most likely make my role redundant..
He also said its highly likely that I will be required to work on the migration, and that I might be given some sort of bonus to work on this.
Obviously I am a bit pissed off, especially as he approved a 1 months holiday over xmas just the other week. But i've suspected this would happen one day, but before xmas with a big holiday is going to screw me financially..
As an employee, can I refuse to work on this or would that be a bad idea? Talk of a bonus to work on the project sounds nice, but I know he doesnt call the shots, so am not sure if that would actually materialise..
One friend has advised that if the company want me to work on the project, then I should think about taking the redundancy and then returning as a contractor.. I'm not sure if the company would accept this, but it does seem like a good idea..
Over to you..
Firstly - how key is your role to the smooth transition from your core system to the groups? If it is time critical (as it appears to be) negotiate /discuss staged delivery bonus's. I did this on several occassions when I had to move functions/systems within the company.I work in IT as a systems developer for a small company, that is owned by a parent company.
My MD (parent company puppet) brought me in for a chat on Monday.. and in summary, the parent company wish to migrate and consolidate our systems that I manage into the core systems. Surprise surprise, he said that this will most likely make my role redundant..
He also said its highly likely that I will be required to work on the migration, and that I might be given some sort of bonus to work on this.
Obviously I am a bit pissed off, especially as he approved a 1 months holiday over xmas just the other week. But i've suspected this would happen one day, but before xmas with a big holiday is going to screw me financially..
As an employee, can I refuse to work on this or would that be a bad idea? Talk of a bonus to work on the project sounds nice, but I know he doesnt call the shots, so am not sure if that would actually materialise..
One friend has advised that if the company want me to work on the project, then I should think about taking the redundancy and then returning as a contractor.. I'm not sure if the company would accept this, but it does seem like a good idea..
Over to you..
I looked after the individual as much as I could and got the proposition completed on time and within budget. On one occasion I also agreed to operate a 6 month consolidation programme that kept the individual on side until the company was happy that the functionality was embedded and running well.
Anyway good luck with it all.
Steve
This happens quite often in IT and if you're smart you will get something positive out of this. Redundancy and contract is an option, but if you're not going to make a career out of contracting you might be well advised to negotiate a deal to keep you there through the migration, it could take a number of forms, such as ex-gratia, but whatever you decide, get it in writing and be a good leaver, it will pay you in the long-term.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff