Re Location of work place.
Discussion
My wife has worked in a very nice country house, converted to offices for the last 12 years.
It takes her 30 minutes each way to get to the office.
The company has now outgrown the current offices, they have told two departments they have to relocate, to new offices they are purchasing about 10 miles away, from the current offices.
The problem that concerns her and three others who live quite near us, is that the new offices are at the other side of a large town centre and will add about 45 minutes to the current 30 minute journey.
Her MD has just told the two departments they are moving, no what do you think about this etc.
We were just wondering if there is some procedure or guidelines, where moves like this are planned.
She is seriously thinking of resigning if this move if forced on her. The 90 minutes a day extra journey time involved seems excessive to me.
Your thoughts are gratefully received.
Cheers.
It takes her 30 minutes each way to get to the office.
The company has now outgrown the current offices, they have told two departments they have to relocate, to new offices they are purchasing about 10 miles away, from the current offices.
The problem that concerns her and three others who live quite near us, is that the new offices are at the other side of a large town centre and will add about 45 minutes to the current 30 minute journey.
Her MD has just told the two departments they are moving, no what do you think about this etc.
We were just wondering if there is some procedure or guidelines, where moves like this are planned.
She is seriously thinking of resigning if this move if forced on her. The 90 minutes a day extra journey time involved seems excessive to me.
Your thoughts are gratefully received.
Cheers.
What does her contract say - any clause about relocation or mobility?
If not, then she should not resign, but she may be made redundant. She also has the option of accepting the move for a trial period and then still being eligible for redundancy.
See here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/E...
Also, if the main issue is a commute through a town centre, would it be feasible to:
- use public transport
- work different hours to avoid peak traffic
- work from home some of the time to compensate for the extra travel
If not, then she should not resign, but she may be made redundant. She also has the option of accepting the move for a trial period and then still being eligible for redundancy.
See here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/E...
Also, if the main issue is a commute through a town centre, would it be feasible to:
- use public transport
- work different hours to avoid peak traffic
- work from home some of the time to compensate for the extra travel
Edited by UpTheIron on Friday 7th September 11:50
I think it is ridiculous that the MD of the company is moving the office without consultation.
It may be in the contract the company may require you to work from other offices when required. But if this is going to add 45 minutes to each journey then the other people who live near you may feel the same.
My company have been thinking of moving offices for 12 months and the general opinion is if they move to any location that makes it harder to reach work or have limited parking provision then people will resign me being one of them.
Maybe take the case to the MD and explain the concerns
sTeve
It may be in the contract the company may require you to work from other offices when required. But if this is going to add 45 minutes to each journey then the other people who live near you may feel the same.
My company have been thinking of moving offices for 12 months and the general opinion is if they move to any location that makes it harder to reach work or have limited parking provision then people will resign me being one of them.
Maybe take the case to the MD and explain the concerns
sTeve
There used to be distance rules about relocation of office premises (I have a figure of 16 miles in my head). A few years ago, we relocated our offices (approx 14 miles as the crow flies), we consulted the staff, explained the reasons (we were merging two companies, new office in between two then current locations), for all staff who had to travel further we upped their salary to allow for additional travel expenses and for one key memeber of staff, who would have had a further 30 mins to his already 1hr journey we offered a relocation package (and he then moved house)
Done in the right way staff can be kept on board and will buy in to the move. Done in the wrong way and you get a very upset workforce who lose productivity (by moaning!!) and who then leave.
Personally I would have a quick chat with an employment solicitor and see what the current rules are, if any are applicable then arrange a meeting with the company management.
davidy
Done in the right way staff can be kept on board and will buy in to the move. Done in the wrong way and you get a very upset workforce who lose productivity (by moaning!!) and who then leave.
Personally I would have a quick chat with an employment solicitor and see what the current rules are, if any are applicable then arrange a meeting with the company management.
davidy
DavidY said:
There used to be distance rules about relocation of office premises (I have a figure of 16 miles in my head). A few years ago, we relocated our offices (approx 14 miles as the crow flies), we consulted the staff, explained the reasons (we were merging two companies, new office in between two then current locations), for all staff who had to travel further we upped their salary to allow for additional travel expenses and for one key memeber of staff, who would have had a further 30 mins to his already 1hr journey we offered a relocation package (and he then moved house)
Done in the right way staff can be kept on board and will buy in to the move. Done in the wrong way and you get a very upset workforce who lose productivity (by moaning!!) and who then leave.
Personally I would have a quick chat with an employment solicitor and see what the current rules are, if any are applicable then arrange a meeting with the company management.
davidy
One big difference here is that you consulted the employees refering back the the OP the MD has not bothered to do this!Done in the right way staff can be kept on board and will buy in to the move. Done in the wrong way and you get a very upset workforce who lose productivity (by moaning!!) and who then leave.
Personally I would have a quick chat with an employment solicitor and see what the current rules are, if any are applicable then arrange a meeting with the company management.
davidy
Thanks for all your help.
This reason for the amount of time is she would have to go all the way across Sheffield city center.
No consultation has taken place, just a verbal announcement that she will be moved.
She loves her job and does traval all over europe with it, she has been more than happy there for 12 years, it just seems very strange of them to do this in the way they are, it is not the normal way they operate.
Maybe more will come to light over the future weeks.
Once again, thanks.
This reason for the amount of time is she would have to go all the way across Sheffield city center.
No consultation has taken place, just a verbal announcement that she will be moved.
She loves her job and does traval all over europe with it, she has been more than happy there for 12 years, it just seems very strange of them to do this in the way they are, it is not the normal way they operate.
Maybe more will come to light over the future weeks.
Once again, thanks.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff