Denied Voluntary Redundancy
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Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Monday 15th June 2009
quotequote all
Maybe I'm wrong for considering this especially in the current economy , but I'm currently work a large firm that are wanting to lose people to save £££. They offered a Voluntary Redundancy scheme to most people, which included a pay out. Great I thought, I'll apply seen as I didn't get a bonus, pay rise nor a promotion this year and i'll look for another job. They then denied my application as their reason was that I am valuable to the company. Is this their clever way of forcing me to leave without payoff?

Or should I stop moaning and be happy I have a job!?!

RichBurley

2,432 posts

268 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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Rich_AR said:
Maybe I'm wrong for considering this especially in the current economy , but I'm currently work a large firm that are wanting to lose people to save £££. They offered a Voluntary Redundancy scheme to most people, which included a pay out. Great I thought, I'll apply seen as I didn't get a bonus, pay rise nor a promotion this year and I'll look for another job. They then denied my application as their reason was that I am valuable to the company. Is this their clever way of forcing me to leave without payoff?

Or should I stop moaning and be happy I have a job!?!
On the grounds that they did not exclude anyone from applying, you applied, and they turned you down; it's tantamount to victimisation as you are being exlcuded from something that other staff may apply for. Therefore it's not really Voluntary. Or it is, but only if the people they want to apply, actually apply.

You could raise a grievance as the employer is treating you differently?

But if the Voluntary package isn't that good, I'd just be happy you've still got a job. And that's from an Employment Law Solicitor!

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Monday 15th June 2009
quotequote all
The main reason was I am a high performer with valuable accreditations, therefore an asset.

The pay-off was 3 months salary, 1 month for each years service.

David87M3

1,459 posts

249 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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Hmm. I'd have asked if I were that valuable why no bonus, Pay rise or promotion?

did others get bonus or payrise?

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Monday 15th June 2009
quotequote all
David87M3 said:
Hmm. I'd have asked if I were that valuable why no bonus, Pay rise or promotion?

did others get bonus or payrise?
Nope, nobody got nothing, I even had to apply for the promotion twice for both times to be canned off and then telling those who did apply that its not happening for anyone this year.

edwardsje

32,267 posts

238 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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Hmm, VR + 3 months or a job where employer is telling you they view you as a key employee.

In the current climate, I know which I think's the most valauable.

shirt

24,400 posts

216 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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the co. i work for is also offering VR. its oversubscribed in a lot of areas but most people that apply are being denied. main reasons are we will need their skills in furture and its cheaper/better to keep them employed until then.

are you simply wanting a break? try asking for a sabbatical.

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Monday 15th June 2009
quotequote all
I'm ideally wanting to get out and find a better paid job! Which I might just have to do, however that extra £££ redundancy would be nice...

ewenm

28,506 posts

260 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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It's the classic "voluntary" redundancy situation - the only people who will volunteer are those high performers that are confident they can get another job in the current climate, and these are the people that the original company will not want to lose. The under-performers won't volunteer because they know they'll struggle to get another job and are onto a good thing at the original company.

We had exactly the same situation at PwC years ago when they were shedding staff. Straight to compulsory redundancy is much more effective but then the company does actually have to ensure the role is redundant.

If you reckon you can get a better paid job somewhere else at the moment, I'd go ahead and apply for it anyway. If it comes through, then resign, citing reasons for leaving being lack of reward despite high performance. They may suddenly find some more salary for you, or you can just go to the new job.

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Monday 15th June 2009
quotequote all
ewenm said:
It's the classic "voluntary" redundancy situation - the only people who will volunteer are those high performers that are confident they can get another job in the current climate, and these are the people that the original company will not want to lose. The under-performers won't volunteer because they know they'll struggle to get another job and are onto a good thing at the original company.

We had exactly the same situation at PwC years ago when they were shedding staff. Straight to compulsory redundancy is much more effective but then the company does actually have to ensure the role is redundant.

If you reckon you can get a better paid job somewhere else at the moment, I'd go ahead and apply for it anyway. If it comes through, then resign, citing reasons for leaving being lack of reward despite high performance. They may suddenly find some more salary for you, or you can just go to the new job.
My thoughts exactly. I know a couple of people who got better jobs and the company offered them a decent deal to stay. Guess I better dust off the CV and get applying for these better jobs I've seen (some of which are almost double my salary!)

cps13

263 posts

197 months

Monday 15th June 2009
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Rich_AR said:
I'm ideally wanting to get out and find a better paid job! Which I might just have to do, however that extra £££ redundancy would be nice...
As somebody who was a high performer inside their company (top 3 sales person out of 63) and has now lost their job, one month later still haven't managed to secure a new one... I'd recommend hanging on to your job for a few months at least.

It's much better paid than leaving and not being able to find a new job. There are ALOT of capable people in my boat at the moment, interviews are more competitive than before and much harder to come by than before!

Mr POD

5,153 posts

207 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
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My heart bleeds, for whoever got fired in your place.

Rich_AR

Original Poster:

1,980 posts

219 months

Thursday 25th June 2009
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Mr POD said:
My heart bleeds, for whoever got fired in your place.
?