Redundancy / Consultation - help and advice

[geoffmilk]

Hi,

I've been in my role for around 15 months - I've been told today that my job is under threat due to a forecast drop in revenue for the next financial year.

I've been told that I could have done no more in my role - it is just market conditions that have led to this - however, I suspect that I am the "newest" member of the team and also on one of the higher salaries have led to this situation.

So, could anyone help with where I stand from a legal position - and any positive suggestions with how to deal with it?

Thanks.

[chinadog]

Hi geoff, My hubby had a letter at work today saying he will be redundant from April 2nd. He's making an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

[Old Salt]

Been there on both sides of the desk geoffmilk

Redundancy is almost always 'last in, first out'

Also, it is a time to reduce the wage bill as much as possible without hurting the business.

The short answer is, unless they have really given you unfair treatment, that can be proved before a tribunal or court of law, you are only making your life more sad if you seek retribution.

My working life ended with a f final insult. I was simply ignored. Given only minimum work, in the name of, "At your age we want to let you take things easy." It got to the stage I was finshed with all my tasks before lunch, without any real effort. The really killer was missing the strategy meetings

No one said anything or made any adverse remarks, I just became invisible. So, at age 66, I fully retired. Company policy was everyone retires at 65, but, Personnel / HR went out of their way to make it known I could stay a long as I wanted.

I know we always say we want to get paid fore doing nothing, but, after a few weeks, it sure makes for very long days.

My advice is, forget it, and concentrate all your energy on finding another job.................for sure it will be less money, even before this recession started. It took me over a year to find a reasonalbe position, starting at a much reduced salary. AND, I only had modest increases in spite of good performance reports and customer feedback

Good Luck

I really know your pain
Old Salt

[Twenty20]

In most situations the company must consult with the employees first. Those whose jobs are at risk would need to be informed, which sounds like what theyve done with you.

If you are selected to be made redundant you can appeal against it but, from what youve said so far, I would guess that there was little point as its only going to drag it out. One of the things you can ask is the selection criteria i.e. how the people being made redundant were chosen. It could be done on last in first out but would ideally (from a legal viewpoint) be based on a score system for those people at risk taking in to account things such as competence, disciplinary record, absenteeism etc. What they cant put into the equation is age, sex etc.

[cassa333]

When they do the points system can they have how much you get paid as a criteria? ie: if you get paid more you get less points or something?

[factor-fiction]

Been there too. If they feel your services are too expensive and they can manage without them then if they wish I'm sure they will find a way of making sure they don't retain you. If the company is struggling financially they know the biggest salaries yield the biggest savings and they need to ensure they are getting best value for their money. I wish you luck but if they don't want to keep you do you really want to remain with them? Your manager may think you are great but if someone above tells him he has to save �X or his job will go he will find �X savings even if it means losing you.

[Old Salt]

Succinctly put, factor30

Direct and to the point.

It's exactly how I felt just before I retired.

Lots of people kept telling me to "Take them to a tribunal for ageism," but, I asked myself, "Do I really want to work for a company that wants to get rid of me me?" And if I don't, what is the likely outcome, if, I should win....(not much)

Old Salt