Redundancy and starting a new job
Discussion
My job is currently in the process of being made redundant. We're currently 2 months into a 3 month consultation but I have accepted voluntary redundancy. I have a 3 month notice period which, of course, I'll be paid for but I've been told I don't need to work the notice period, which is a bit of a bonus!
I've starting looking around for new roles, but my question is when can I start work for a new employer. Even though I'll be available for work from the end of the consultation period I'll still technically be employed by my current employer for 3 months after that. Can I start a new role during my notice period/gardening leave or do I have to wait until the end of my notice period.
I'm not averse to having 3 months off over the summer (far from it!) but my number 1 priority is securing a new job to regain some financial security. If I have to wait until the end of the notice period, I'm concerned that a 4 month wait before I'm able to start might put off a few potential employers.
I've starting looking around for new roles, but my question is when can I start work for a new employer. Even though I'll be available for work from the end of the consultation period I'll still technically be employed by my current employer for 3 months after that. Can I start a new role during my notice period/gardening leave or do I have to wait until the end of my notice period.
I'm not averse to having 3 months off over the summer (far from it!) but my number 1 priority is securing a new job to regain some financial security. If I have to wait until the end of the notice period, I'm concerned that a 4 month wait before I'm able to start might put off a few potential employers.
I think it will depend on the terms of the voluntary redundancy agreement you have (presumably) signed. Your HR department / consultation contact should be able to clarify for you.
We had a redundancy programme where I work and those that were made redundant signed agreements that gave them the terms and specific leaving date. They were paid their contractual notice periods from that date as part of the redundancy package, and were told that they would not be called back in (although given the factory had been closed that wouldn't have been practical).
We had a redundancy programme where I work and those that were made redundant signed agreements that gave them the terms and specific leaving date. They were paid their contractual notice periods from that date as part of the redundancy package, and were told that they would not be called back in (although given the factory had been closed that wouldn't have been practical).
As above check the wording on your exit paperwork; either your company will be paying you in lieu of notice meaning an up-front 3-month salary payment and you can walk into your new job the day after you leave. Alternatively they will put you on gardening leave for the 3 months meaning technically you are still an employee (but don't have to work) until the end of the notice.
In the majority of redundancy cases I've handled, Pay In Lieu Of Notice is most common.
In the majority of redundancy cases I've handled, Pay In Lieu Of Notice is most common.
Will the company terminate your employment and then pay you in lieu of notice? If yes, you can of course start the next day. If they want to hold you over on the off chance of any wrap up or handover work then you will be in a garden leave scenario. When running these processes I have always asked affected employees to keep their manager/HR informed of any interviews and job developments as it's much easier to plan an early exit with this knowledge than somebody asking on a Friday to start somewhere else on the Monday.
I'm two months into the three months you speak of (and absolutely loving it!). My settlement agreement was predicated on me not having another job offer on the table at the time of accepting. However I now have something lined up which starts about 2 weeks after my three months paid notice ends. "Win Win" is the official term, I believe! (Except that I am enjoying this not-working malarkey FAR too much, it's only my bank balance which disagrees!).
Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
CAPP0 said:
I'm two months into the three months you speak of (and absolutely loving it!). My settlement agreement was predicated on me not having another job offer on the table at the time of accepting. However I now have something lined up which starts about 2 weeks after my three months paid notice ends. "Win Win" is the official term, I believe! (Except that I am enjoying this not-working malarkey FAR too much, it's only my bank balance which disagrees!).
Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
Your bank balance shouldn't disagree at all as from what you write the termination payments only come at the end of the 3 month garden leave period which only leaves you 2 weeks unpaid which the termination payments may cover.Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
edc said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm two months into the three months you speak of (and absolutely loving it!). My settlement agreement was predicated on me not having another job offer on the table at the time of accepting. However I now have something lined up which starts about 2 weeks after my three months paid notice ends. "Win Win" is the official term, I believe! (Except that I am enjoying this not-working malarkey FAR too much, it's only my bank balance which disagrees!).
Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
Your bank balance shouldn't disagree at all as from what you write the termination payments only come at the end of the 3 month garden leave period which only leaves you 2 weeks unpaid which the termination payments may cover.Off out to lie in the sun with a cold one now!
CAPP0 said:
Er yeah, but sadly I'm not PH enough to be able to live on 3 months money for the rest of my working life
I think you misunderstood me. You've got a job lined up now which is great. I'm sure that wasn't the case before the process started so I'm sure there were a few sweaty moments up until then. But now you can afford to switch off and ramp down a bit if the business allows, assuming your termination payment more than covers the 2 week gap, the next job is comparable. One of the hardest parts of my job is to try and stop people stressing themselves too much as they become useless at their job and to the business and also become a distraction to others. It's easy saying it and providing the right support goes some way but getting too pent up doesn't help one find the next role either.edc said:
CAPP0 said:
Er yeah, but sadly I'm not PH enough to be able to live on 3 months money for the rest of my working life
I think you misunderstood me. You've got a job lined up now which is great. I'm sure that wasn't the case before the process started so I'm sure there were a few sweaty moments up until then. But now you can afford to switch off and ramp down a bit if the business allows, assuming your termination payment more than covers the 2 week gap, the next job is comparable. One of the hardest parts of my job is to try and stop people stressing themselves too much as they become useless at their job and to the business and also become a distraction to others. It's easy saying it and providing the right support goes some way but getting too pent up doesn't help one find the next role either.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff