Work Want Me To Move

[bednobs]

i know i've asked this before, but that was when things "might" happen, and now things have actually happened.
I had to interview for my own job, but in another part of the NHS (the bit i work for is closing down), and was accepted with "location to be arranged with your new line manger, they will make every effort to accomodate your requests". I got a letter giving me the job, saying i had to accept it within 5 days - still not heard about locatrion, so i accepted it
Have found out today they want me to work in another county 3 days a week and from home 2 days a week. This is impossible for me because it would be a 1.5/2hr journey each way and i wouldn't be able to work full time and still drop off/pick up daughter from nursery. If i found one closer to the job, when i am working from home, i'd have to do a 3 hr at least round trip to drop her off and come back home - impossible!
do i have any rights at all, or will i just have to quit?

[bednobs]

the problem is mojojo,that she has been on a waiting list for the nursery for 7 months, and most nurseries have waiting lists. They want me to work from the other county for 3 days a week, and home for 2 days a week. If i moved her nursery nearer the job, i would then have to do the 3 hr round trip to the nursery on the days i'm working from home before i could even start work! and when i am on leave, if she was still in the nursery, i would still have to do the journey to the nursery each day!
HR are refusing to return my calls.
I am in the union (RCN) and will call them today

[boxtops]

Whilst working for a specific Trust would have applied in the past, BM, bednobs and I work for PCTs at the moment which are disappearing on 1 April. Those of us who find jobs will all be TUPEd into the new organisations.

The Commissioning Support Units are supporting all the new Clinical Commissioning Groups which replace the PCTs, and the CSUs can be anywhere in the area - ours has 3 potential bases spread well apart (but we are a much bigger county so the question of across county boundaries doesn't apply). However it can take two hours to get from one side of the county to another, if the base happened to be far to the west from where I live.

The base where any individual might be located isn't known at the time the various roles are filled - a lot of it's to do with where there might be desk space.

[buildersmate]

Bxtps
OK, understood, but if one is being TUPE'd the transfer needs to be on (very nearly) the same conditions of employment. And being transferred further down the M4 corridor (wherever) to a place that increases my travel time by at least 3 hours per day, doesn't sound like the employer is delivering against that.
Anywhere, with Bn in a Union, she will be able to see what they have to say.

[boxtops]

Yes - I'll be interested to see what bedonbs' union rep says. We're certainly being told that reasonableness of travel is something to be taken into account when relocating people.

[bednobs]

I really appreciate ALL the answers that people have given me and also thanks to boxy for explaining it a lot better than i could.
I suppose the rub is that if i kick up a fuss, i might be forced to apply for jobs i don't want but are near my base. Mind you i think i'd rather do an awful job than travel. The new county they want me to work in is Pxford, and i think BM you are in the same sort of area as me and know what a pig getting to the centre of oxford it.

[Peter Pedant]

I dont think any of these answers are right Bednobs

The best thing you can do is join a union UNISON springs to mind
and ask them.
No one has said they have to make you redundant which I think is a possibility. The obvious people to ask is the Union handling the other requests

Good Luck

[boxtops]

PP - most of us who haven't got obviously defined jobs in the new organisations ARE already under notice of redundancy, effective 31 March. In order to remain eligible for redundancy we have to apply for and consider reasonable alternative jobs in the new organisations (and we have to log them as they'll call for the log of efforts to find work, if redundancy is finally the only option). I have to evidence why jobs I've considered aren't suitable (either in terms of content or location). There are dozens of new jobs in our county at a range of grades, so "they" are hoping that redundancy will be the absolute last option.
All these processes are nationally agreed and have union buy-in, so it would be bednobs' personal circumstances which might be the final decider in her case. Bednobs, tell us how you get on!

[bednobs]

just to let you all know i have a bit more news. I have spoken to the would be new boss and there is no movement on working in the other county, so regretfully i'm going to have to appeal. HR tell me that a valid reason for appeal at my grade is being asked to work more than 30 minutes away, and child care, although each appeal is looked at individually. If my appeal is unsuccessful, i'll either have to take the job or quit, if it's successful, i can be considered for redundancy.

[ladyalex]

Good luck, bednobs.
I hope you have or will soon consult your union for advice and support re your appeal.
Don't go in alone.

[bednobs]

thanks lady a