Being made redundant - do i need to undertake new work

[FatMax]

My position is being made redundant and i have had my initial consultation meeting.

I dont like the way im being treated and just want out.

My contract stipulates a notice period of 3 months and i qualify for redundancy.

I'm hoping they let me go at the earliest opportunity and im happy to perform a handover of my work in the remaining time.

Can they ask me to undertake new work for them in my remaining time with them? After all ive done for the company and the way they have treated me i dont particularily want to help them any more than i have to.

(Im a long standing member here, but didnt want to post under that account)

[Dog Star]

If I was to be made redundant that, as far as I'm concerned, means that you are no longer required.
Obviously the dream ticket is to get punted straight out of the door with notice paid for.

If they insisted I worked it then sure - but I'd sit on my arse, be on something of a go-slow and any sort of effort and diligence would definitely be missing from my work unless there was some mega-good incentive for tying thing up well.

[Ussrcossack]

Dog Star said:

If I was to be made redundant that, as far as I'm concerned, means that you are no longer required.
Obviously the dream ticket is to get punted straight out of the door with notice paid for.

If they insisted I worked it then sure - but I'd sit on my arse, be on something of a go-slow and any sort of effort and diligence would definitely be missing from my work unless there was some mega-good incentive for tying thing up well.

And if he wants a reference?

I'd put it another way to the employer, if I'm redundant I'm not required now so I'll go you a hand over but can we drop the 3 months

[Dog Star]

Ussrcossack said:

And if he wants a reference?

I'd put it another way to the employer, if I'm redundant I'm not required now so I'll go you a hand over but can we drop the 3 months

That's how I'd play it, but if they tried making me work it then I'd be very much not putting the effort in. Do companies give references? I always got personal references from my line managers.

[Largechris]

Dog Star said:

If I was to be made redundant that, as far as I'm concerned, means that you are no longer required.
Obviously the dream ticket is to get punted straight out of the door with notice paid for.

If they insisted I worked it then sure - but I'd sit on my arse, be on something of a go-slow and any sort of effort and diligence would definitely be missing from my work unless there was some mega-good incentive for tying thing up well.

"Depends"

I've been there twice, got the t shirt. I didn't need references for my line of work, so yes I didn't push myself when the writing was on the wall.

If you need references, future relationships with ex colleagues or suppliers, or customers for that matter, you will have to judge it. Be surprised if they didn't give you PILON, seems normal these days.

[Muzzer79]

Largechris said:

Be surprised if they didn't give you PILON, seems normal these days.

It depends very much on what you do and where.

If, for example, they are shutting down an office at the end of May that needs to remain fully operational for the next 3 months, you very much wouldn't be getting PILON.

However, it's generally well accepted that you're not exactly going to be motivated to succeed.

OP - judge your individual circumstances. If you're needed now, but won't be in 3 months, hence are being made redundant - expect to work your full notice. If you're not needed now, you should be able to exit now.

[FatMax]

Thanks for all the replies.

Im extremely pivotal to the products that the company design/manufacture. I think they are going to push me to complete 'new' work as there is nobody else capable of doing my work.

As stated, im happy to do a handover, not that anybody will understand what i provide them with, but im loathed to help them further.

However, i am mindful that i might need a reference from them.

[Panamax]

In my opinion it's always easier to find a job when you're in work than when you're out of work. Keep that in mind. And then there's the "reference" point that's already been discussed.

[ozzuk]

My concern would be if you refuse a reasonable work request, you could be in breach of contract and therefore putting your redundancy at risk (sacked instead). Unlikely to come to that, but if they've treated you badly before...

[PF62]

Depending on your job, the company might be taking a bit of a gamble if they do insist the contract is worked to the end of the notice period (either with the original work or new work).

If the job is something where it is immediately obvious whether you have done it correctly - put tab A into slot B - then the employer is pretty safe.

However if the job involves any long term work where it won’t become obvious for months or years as to whether you were fully committed - well more fool them.

[Largechris]

Also years ago I remember somebody who was being made redundant being advised that legally during their notice period they were allowed reasonable time off for interviews etc - NO IDEA IF THIS TRUE LEGALLY but worth investigating if you need to.

[FunkyNige]

If I were in that situation I'd probably just keep doing my job, but not go the extra mile to get work done or anything like that, you don't want to be that guy people remember as being a lazy sod in the last few months of his time at the company. I've forgotten a lot of old colleagues, but the guy who just decided not to bother coming in on his last day will always remain in my mind as someone I wouldn't want to work with again.

Largechris said:

Also years ago I remember somebody who was being made redundant being advised that legally during their notice period they were allowed reasonable time off for interviews etc - NO IDEA IF THIS TRUE LEGALLY but worth investigating if you need to.

Citizens advice say "You can take 'reasonable' time off once your employer has given you a date for when your employment will end."

Reasonable has a nice long definition in this link.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/leaving-a-j...

[Heathwood]

I’m quite surprised at some of the replies here. Your role has been targeted for redundancy; it’s not personal. You are still contracted until such a date and will be paid accordingly. I’m not sure why you’d suddenly go on a go-slow or refuse to engage in any work asked of you.

[HappyMidget]

Ignore the worry about a reference in the UK, al the HR dept can do is give confirmation of periods of employment. Even if they fired you you could use them as a reference source as they cannot give any clue as to reason for termination of employment.

[edc]

HappyMidget said:

Ignore the worry about a reference in the UK, al the HR dept can do is give confirmation of periods of employment. Even if they fired you you could use them as a reference source as they cannot give any clue as to reason for termination of employment.

This is not quite correct. References simply have to be factual. If you were dismissed for gross misconduct there is nothing to stop an ex employer stating this.

OP if you are going to be working in a similar line of work or similar industry then I'd just roll your sleeves up and do the best you can. After all, later down the line when others are looking for work you do t want to be referred to as that guy who just couldn't be bothered.

I was recently in touch with an ex colleague who asked me if I knew anybody. Actually I do and the person I will connect currently works at my organisation and is being made redundant. He is going to be one of the last standing in his area. I had no hesitation in referring him as if he can tough it out now and show some resilience then he will find a way when times are tough in the future too.

[ozzuk]

HappyMidget said:

Ignore the worry about a reference in the UK, al the HR dept can do is give confirmation of periods of employment. Even if they fired you you could use them as a reference source as they cannot give any clue as to reason for termination of employment.

Any sources for that? HR can state reason for termination, as long as factual.

To help you, from citizens advice:
"You might get a bad reference if you’ve been sacked for poor performance or misconduct. This is because your old employer can be sued if they don’t mention something about you that later causes problems for a new employer."

[x5tuu]

edc said:

HappyMidget said:

Ignore the worry about a reference in the UK, al the HR dept can do is give confirmation of periods of employment. Even if they fired you you could use them as a reference source as they cannot give any clue as to reason for termination of employment.

This is not quite correct. References simply have to be factual. If you were dismissed for gross misconduct there is nothing to stop an ex employer stating this.

Absolutely right, but in reality almost all HR depts will just acknowledge that an employee did work for the business from X to Y and leave it at that. Only those with an axe to grind go into more detail.

I remember seeing lots of reference forms come across my desk 10-15yrs ago where there was a raft of questions about reason for leaving / sickness absence record / disciplinary record - I never see anything of the sort now and it all tends to be very high-level stuff.

[JP__FOX]

HappyMidget said:

Ignore the worry about a reference in the UK, al the HR dept can do is give confirmation of periods of employment. Even if they fired you you could use them as a reference source as they cannot give any clue as to reason for termination of employment.

That's not true, but it may be a company policy that they'll only do that.

As someone that's had the unpleasant experience of managing a redundancy consultation (Programme Manager), then redundancy payout will usually be based of successfully completing the notice handover and working until the agreed date. I have seen payouts reduced based on lack of engagement with handovers.

It's a rubbish situation to be in and nobody will be expecting you to work long hours to go above and beyond but I think it's best to do a reasonable job as others have said. You never know when you'll come across people in a different company that saw you slacking in the run up to leaving etc.

[FunkyNige]

x5tuu said:

I remember seeing lots of reference forms come across my desk 10-15yrs ago where there was a raft of questions about reason for leaving / sickness absence record / disciplinary record - I never see anything of the sort now and it all tends to be very high-level stuff.

A friend's assistant left to get a job at the local council, their reference request included questions about suitability for the new role, etc. It was also sent before any formal offer of employment which could've caused issues if my friend wasn't as supportive of him going!

[Glosphil]

In 2003 I was made redundant when the company I worked for as a salesman took over part of the business of a competitor. The sales manager from that company became the UK sales manager of 'my' company kept his own sales force & made me & another existing salesman redundant.
I took some time off for interviews so only worked 3 weeks in the last month. Despite that I had the highest sales that month. The Sales Director ensured I also got paid the commission on a sale where the order came in 3 days after my last month.
I took the company to the Industrial Tribunal for the way my redundancy was handled - no consultation & nonsense, untrue reasons given for choosing me to be made redundant. The company settled before the hearing & trebled my redundancy payment.