Being Made Redundant After Furlough.
Being Made Redundant After Furlough.
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Discussion

NordicCrankShaft

Original Poster:

1,921 posts

138 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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Hi all.

I run the catering for for a large golf club. I've had a phone call this morning from the Finance Director saying that they've had to cancel all matches for this year and don't forsee matches going ahead until 2022 there fore there isn't a job for me anymore upon my return.

I've been furloughed since the 21st March, all the talk before we were all furloughed was positive and that the guy's above would do everything they could to make sure we could re-open as soon as legally allowed and make sure everyone had a job to go to. so this phonecall was a surprise.
They've also said that they will keep me on Furlough as long as the scheme is running but I'll likely be made redundant there after.

Not sure where I stand, as I only took the position permanently last November after working there from September and they begged me to take the position but because I lived an hours drive away I agreed that I'd do it for 1 year, then just before this thing's where going really well and asked if I'd commit another year which I said I would with a view to moving closer.

toastyhamster

1,761 posts

119 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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Sorry about your situation. Some of my family are avid golfers and they're booking tee off times on the 11th as they feel that the courses will be open then (two balls only, possible restriction on number of holes due to expected demand). Do you mean that your employer has cancelled all competitions requiring large scale catering, but that the course will (probably) open anyway?

So

28,176 posts

245 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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I think this is a story that will be repeated thousands of times in coming months.

Sy1441

1,283 posts

183 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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From a legal perspective you've no rights. The employer could actually just make you redundant now rather than furlough you if they wanted so they're being pretty fair as this impacts cashflow.

It's a horrible position to be in, hope you're ok.

NordicCrankShaft

Original Poster:

1,921 posts

138 months

Monday 4th May 2020
quotequote all
Yes, so all competitions and matches have been cancelled this year and they "think" it will be the case next year.

From what I understand we have around 900 members, they had expected that to drop because of Corona virus and it has but not as drastically as they'd thought.

From the email confirmation.....

"We have been discussing the potential for re-opeing the clubhouse when lockdown regulations are eased and unfortunately do not see how it would be feasable to re-open the catering function as we would have hoped. Social distancing will remain the norm until a vaccine is widely distributed and while we hope to re-open the bar with all sorts of restrictions we do not see how that could extend to catering.

All matches have been cancelled for 2020 and the rules that we have to live with as we start playing golf again probably mean matches will not restart until 2022.

Our event calendar for 2020 has obviously also been cancelled and if we're right then social distancing rules will be in place next year too, so events will again probably only start again in 2022.

We don't know yet for certain, the PM's announcement next Sunday may shed more light on the subject but at this stage I feel it's fair to say there will not be a job for you to come back to if and when we allow the club hour to re-open.

In the meantime you will continue to receive 80% salary from us for as long as the furloughing scheme is available to us."

21TonyK

12,941 posts

232 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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Sorry to hear this. As they say "at this stage" they can't see how it could work. Maybe you can?

First thing my employer did was ask how I could make it work feeding kids and staff in schools with social distancing. Came up with the solution and next day we had 40 to feed.

Different scenario I know but the hospitality and catering industry is going to have to come up with a solution, restaurants etc can't remain closed for ever.

The demand for group catering may disappear but (not being a golfer) I assume members would rather dine out is a non-public space where they are familiar with the people and surroundings.

My local * place is doing very small number meals for home delivery with just the head chef working.

Guess from the clubs perspective can you generate enough profit to justify yourself?

Tough situation. Wish you the best of luck with it.

PorkInsider

6,356 posts

164 months

Monday 4th May 2020
quotequote all
So said:
I think this is a story that will be repeated thousands of times in coming months.
Unfortunately I think you're right.

There will be an awful lot of businesses out there only surviving with government support and once it's gone things will be even tougher.

Hope you get something sorted sooner rather than later, OP.



Steve91

508 posts

143 months

Monday 4th May 2020
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I'm in the exact same position. My work has seen sales drop by around 60% so sent an email saying they're going to lay off 50 people, names unconfirmed, as soon as the scheme comes to an end. We make high end brass lights so it's a luxury item, so was always going to take a hit.

I started in august so won't get a penny if my name comes up. As above, this will be an unfortunately common story.

BuzzBravado

2,949 posts

194 months

Tuesday 5th May 2020
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I received an email this morning....."Both staffing and non-staffing costs will need to be reduced". Our operating costs are £90mil a MONTH, and the nature of our business means we wont see normality for another 4 years,if even then. I haven't been job hunting in 15 years!

jonah35

3,940 posts

180 months

Tuesday 5th May 2020
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The straight answer is they want you gone after furlough. They’re allowed to do that.

They’re keeping you on now which is fair and good of them but technically they could make you redundant now

You have no rights

Harsh but that’s the facts

What’s your question?

fat80b

3,174 posts

244 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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NordicCrankShaft said:
Hi all.

I run the catering
As you run the catering, is this not an opportunity to put a plan together that brings in some income to the club rather than no income as they are currently assuming. You could look to turn the whole thing to your advantage perhaps.

As a club, I would have thought they'd be desperate to bring in the cash once things are being relaxed. I'd be thinking sandwiches, snacks, socially distanced drinks / food, a cart driving round the course etc as ways of making some dosh etc.

Perhaps you could even make them an offer to take the income and pay them a percentage or something. no risk to them but a big upside to you?

ChocolateFrog

34,954 posts

196 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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Massively naive of people to think they'll walk back into their jobs when the handouts are withdrawn.

Deesee

8,509 posts

106 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
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Op,

Ask the club to make you redundant, and ask to take in the catering (and perhaps bar) as a franchise for you, typically this will be a payment for you to them of circa 10% (negotiable) of turnover this is fully maintained, I’d suggest you start at zero for 12 months.

Clubs In England will be reopen probably from Monday, just think of the tea/coffee bacon sandwiches you can drop at the first tee, and look at a catering van on a golf cart to sell drinks snacks beers etc.

Take the problem off there hands and create an opportunity for your self, when things fully reopen you’ll have a nice little concern.


PorkInsider

6,356 posts

164 months

Thursday 7th May 2020
quotequote all
Deesee said:
Op,

Clubs In England will be reopen probably from Monday...
I'd be amazed, but let's see.

CrouchingWayne

746 posts

199 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
Deesee said:
Op,

Ask the club to make you redundant, and ask to take in the catering (and perhaps bar) as a franchise for you, typically this will be a payment for you to them of circa 10% (negotiable) of turnover this is fully maintained, I’d suggest you start at zero for 12 months.

Clubs In England will be reopen probably from Monday, just think of the tea/coffee bacon sandwiches you can drop at the first tee, and look at a catering van on a golf cart to sell drinks snacks beers etc.

Take the problem off there hands and create an opportunity for your self, when things fully reopen you’ll have a nice little concern.
I think this is a great idea. If you could socially distance while providing a core range to the players I think you could do OK.