Redundacy advice?
Author
Discussion

Pumajay

Original Poster:

1,072 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Looking for a little bit of adive

Im about to be placed on 30 days consultation period at work as my job is being made redundant, i have been offered another position within the company but the money is alot less than what im on now.

Ive been offered 2 choices.

choice 1.

Remain with the company and accept then role

Choice 2.

Place my job at risk and at the end of the 30 days if a suitable position isnt found i will take redundancy.

Now my question is, i was told about this last monday 13th May, since then they have been pestering me to sign the form confirming what im going to do, job or redundacy.

Ive discussed the payout of what id get if i was to go redundant and its not exactly a life changing amount, but ive been on the job hunt for a few weeks now and im currently waiting to here back from a couple of companys about whether or not i'l be offered a new position, my theory being i can take the redundancy money on a friday and start a new job on a monday but i feel im being pushed into a decision i dont have all the information to make.

i did ask if i accepted the role that the company has offered me and i found employment else where before the change over date if i could take redundancy, i was told yes (should of got it in writing) but now im being told i cant do that.

On the one hand i could accept the job offer i have with my current employer but ive been told that i would forfiet my redundancy money, all being well i should find out about one job offer by friday, so you can see my problem, im trying to hold on to see if i will get a job offer elsewhere.

How long legally should they give me to make this decision, it all feels very rushed to me.

Chris_

483 posts

235 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Have a read through this site which gives plenty of advice as to your rights.

You do not need to give decisions right away and the company should be following a set series of meetings before a final decision is taken.

Vee

3,109 posts

263 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Don't sign anythign until you've seen an employment lawyer - one that you can choose and whcih your comany will have to pay for.
You will be advised what they can, can't and should be doing.
The point being you are sufficiently informed when making a decision.

You can guarantee they'll not be following process if they're telling you to sign stuff already without independent advice.

Even if you accept the lower paying role ask for a 1 month period whereby you (or they) can decide to change your mind and still get the same redundancy package.


Pumajay

Original Poster:

1,072 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
thanks, im going to seek adivce i think, i'l try citizens advice first and go from there.

It feels like there trying to force me into a decision, im going to hold off for at least the end of this week.

Little Dave

882 posts

238 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Vee said:
Don't sign anythign until you've seen an employment lawyer - one that you can choose and whcih your comany will have to pay for.
Are you sure about that?

Vee

3,109 posts

263 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Little Dave said:
Vee said:
Don't sign anythign until you've seen an employment lawyer - one that you can choose and whcih your comany will have to pay for.
Are you sure about that?
We just went though a process and all the guys affected had an independent lawyer explaining to them what they were being qasked to sign.
I've not been through it myself though so not speaking from experience.

It sounds like the OP is going to see the CAB which is probably a good start.

Pumajay

Original Poster:

1,072 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
yeh thats my first starting point, its just stupid, they tell you whats going on but never tell you what your entitled to, all i was told was they want to start the handover process as soon as possible so i had to sign the paperwork asap as well.... load of bks from what i can work out

oddjober

9 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
BE CAREFUL THOUGH..THE JOB MARKET SUCKS RIGHT NOw.

a low paid job is better than looking for a job unemployed i.m.h.o.

M777CUS

267 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
oddjober said:
BE CAREFUL THOUGH..THE JOB MARKET SUCKS RIGHT NOw.

a low paid job is better than looking for a job unemployed i.m.h.o.
really depends.

OP, what industry are you in?

AyBee

11,311 posts

231 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
M777CUS said:
oddjober said:
BE CAREFUL THOUGH..THE JOB MARKET SUCKS RIGHT NOw.

a low paid job is better than looking for a job unemployed i.m.h.o.
really depends.

OP, what industry are you in?
yes Also depends how long the redundancy package will last for in your current lifestyle and whether you think you can realistically find other employment in that period.

oddjober

9 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
me?

S.E.O. for businesses and affiliate marketing. Really good pre 2010...Tougher and toughr every passing month.

Pumajay

Original Poster:

1,072 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
M777CUS said:
really depends.

OP, what industry are you in?
I currently work for the worlds largest vehicle remarketing company, I have a job offer from them but I'm also waiting to hear about a job I've applied for elsewhere, I just want to make sure I'm within my rights to hold off making the decision to stay or take redundancy until I've heard about this other job.

The wages my current company have offered me won't be enough for me to cover bills and live so it's a case of when not if I leave

skahigh

2,023 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Give ACAS a call and ask them for some advice, were very helpful for me last year when I was forced out of my company by way of voluntary redundancy:

http://www.acas.org.uk/

Odie

4,187 posts

211 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Take redundancy. No question in my eyes, they are belittling you by offering you a lower paid position. The people at the company clearly have no regard for you or if you can pay your bills.

Odie

4,187 posts

211 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
swerni said:
People aren't made redundant roles are.
Not really correct, the employee's skill set its no longer required. It is possible for a role to be made redundant and for the employee to still remain with the company if the skill sets are still required.

The only reason the ops employer has offered the alternative role is because it is a legal requirement that if a alternative role is available it has to be offered.

If the op takes the new role, when his CV is looked at when applying for a new role at a new company it will be seen that the op has taken a step backwards, how will this be seen by the prospective new employer?

Gwagon111

4,422 posts

190 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
Odie said:
If the op takes the new role, when his CV is looked at when applying for a new role at a new company it will be seen that the op has taken a step backwards, how will this be seen by the prospective new employer?
Personally,I wouldn't view it as a 'step backwards'. I'd see it as the candidate having the balls to give a risky strategy a go. That's not a bad thing.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

268 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
Odie said:
swerni said:
People aren't made redundant roles are.
Not really correct, the employee's skill set its no longer required. It is possible for a role to be made redundant and for the employee to still remain with the company if the skill sets are still required.

The only reason the ops employer has offered the alternative role is because it is a legal requirement that if a alternative role is available it has to be offered.

If the op takes the new role, when his CV is looked at when applying for a new role at a new company it will be seen that the op has taken a step backwards, how will this be seen by the prospective new employer?
In a positive light I would imagine...

big_boz

1,685 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
OP if you are in consultation your company will have to pay (within reason) for your solicitor bills, i would highly recommend Law Blacks in Leeds, they have represented myself and several friends in matters of redundancy and Compromise agreements and are very good. Remember your solicitor does not need to be local.

From what you describe it sounds like there is scope for what ever you have been offered as a payout to be increased as your employer sounds a bit underhand in what they are doing, certainly i would have a brief look over what you have been given in writing.

I wouldn't entertain the role with the lower salary personally as it sounds like it wont be something you could stay doing for long anyway if you are going to be in the red as a result so, i assume you will be looking for another role at the same time then if you leave you have nothing in your pocket.

What is the offer like on a weeks per year of service basis?

Pumajay

Original Poster:

1,072 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd May 2013
quotequote all
the offer is 5.5 weeks severence pay with a weeks pay for every year ive been there, 7 years, and any remaining holidays left paid back to me.

I should explain what is happening, currently im a mechanical inspector for a vehicle auction company, im paid a salary + bonues scheme, £1 for every car i inspect, doesnt sound like much but i can inspect 600-800 cars a month, what the are doing is combining the mechanical inspection with the bodywork inspection, this then creates a one touch appraisel on the vehicle, now, this means i will be in a team of 12 instead of 2 and means my bonus drops by roughly 4-5k a year.

i am waiting to hear back about a job ive applied for, will hopefully find out tomorrow, if i get it i can take redundancy, and start a new job, which would be great in a perfect world.

big_boz

1,685 posts

236 months

Thursday 23rd May 2013
quotequote all
Assuming you are and always were between 22 and 41 during your employment your redundancy should be 7 weeks pay as per statutory redundancy guidelines, so your 12.5 weeks fulfills this but is pretty stingy. Have you asked for more, if you offer to go quietly and keep things simple they might go up a bit.

I would still suggest you get a brief to look at your situation to make sure there are no grounds for anything along the lines of unfair dismissal.