Redundancy

[Badmood]

Hi

Really quick question on redundancy - whole department put at risk as department is closing.

Aware of one role within another department. This is a department of 6. Not yet aware of any further vacancies.

30 day consultation, but I am waiting for further details as I am not sure why 30 days when only 6 positions at risk (it is not me at risk).

When would they announce decisions?

Total gutted as just managed to get our bills under control, and now this - so planning for worse case scenario

[flowery]

Decisions would normally be at the end of the consultation period, but the manager/HR ought to be able to confirm when people can expect to hear.

Confused though - you say you are not at risk?

[Badmood]

is my partner, his department were put "at risk" and he has been "provisionally selected"

was a snatched conversation as he was worried but we couldnt speak properly at the time.

having spoken to him a bit more now, he has a meeting thursday.he said everyone will lose current role so will be about alternative positions.

this sounds "normal" for the situation but I cant see why 30 days when only 6 at risk unless their co. policy.

will have some answers thursday, so we are just working on questions.

[HomeEcoGnomist]

30 days for individual (ie not collective) consultation sounds normal to me
What would you expect?

[Badmood]

sorry - just to add thank you!

[hermioneweasley]

30 days in this scenario is quite generous - they could certainly fulfill their obligation to consult in less. Is there anyone who would like to go - could they explore volunteers during this time?

[Badmood]

there are no standard time lines. the 30 day consultations only become required when over 20 redundancies are expected within so many months (3 months i believe)

please correct me if i have misunderstood this, but i understood in cases where less than 20 the company had to take enough time to apply a fair process but not to unnessessarily draw it out.

[Badmood]

sorry - posting from phone, seem to be a message behind!

until wednesday he wont know anything else.

there are several vacancies at present so i have told him to get all the descriptions and see which he could realistically do

till the meeting thursday we are just going to have to sit tight

[HomeEcoGnomist]

Collective consultation is for 90 days
They technically could do it in less than 30 days, but 2-4 weeks is very standard IME

[flowery]

30 days is longer than I would advise for such a small group, as I think consultation shouldn't go on longer than is necessary to ensure its done properly. It would be possible to consult with 6 people in a much shorter timescale.

However I don't think there's much point focusing on that- there's nothing wrong in taking longer to consult, however frustrating it might be for the staff involved.

[hermioneweasley]

Agree with flowery, and frustrating as it is, at least he is employed and earning during the consultation period.

[Badmood]

Hi, thank you for you help so far, but please can I run a couple further qustions by you all?

1st Consultation meeting tomorrow. Has been confirmed certain jobs (which were previously advertised) "have been pulled to be discussed tomorrow".

If any roles are suitable, and DP agrees to the changes (if any) to T&Cs, how will it work?

I know I am being a bit thick, but I need it clear in my mind - there are at least 2 roles which were perm and sounded suitable - he has been told he has to apply for these.

Is this right? I guess this is because more than one of them (the pool) will appy for the alternative roles so they are using this for selection.

Does the company need to pause external recruitment for now? Or can they continue and if external candidate is better suited than any of the 6, can they make the 6 redundant in favor of the external?

If a FTC is offered (as apparently they have a couple of these), would he still be entitled to a redundancy payment at the end of the contract? I am not sure as he will be signing new T&Cs, but would have 5-6 years service depending on the lenght of contract.

Thank you so much anyone who can help!

I will have further questions I am sure, so sorry about this in advance, just all a bit stressful. Family are saying not to worry as we have insurance etc in place, but would rather not have to go down that route if it is possible to avoid it!

[flowery]

Fine to use application process as selection for new roles where there is more than one candidate.

Not sure what you mean about how will it work? He'll get a letter confirming the new role and his employment will continue, if that's what you mean?

They should pause external recruitment yes, but are not specifically obliged to. If there is a suitable alternative job available and they make DH redundant then employ someone external, he could claim unfair dismissal. If the job is different terms and conditions and/or isn't a close match for his skills/experience, it may not be 'suitable' in the legal sense so they wouldn't be obliged to offer it to him in that instance.

Yes if he is redundant at the end of a FTC he would be entitled to a redundancy payment.