I have been told by part-time job is redundant

[sameagain]

I work 2 days per week in a junior management position for a bank.

Everyone in my position (full & p-time) was given a letter last Weds where we have to choose

• Voluntary redundancy
• to apply for another (specified) job at the same grade. Whilst the same grade it is completely different in terms of content and skills.

-to apply for another specified job, which would involve a downgrade and and pay cut

We have to make our decision by this coming Weds.

I raised a number of questions regarding the part-time working, as I am concerned that if I apply for one of the vacancies and am successful, I will be obliged to take it even if the hours do not suit me (i.e. will lose the option to take VR) All anyone can tell me is that the new line manager would discuss hours with me. This is of great concern to me as I am unable to be very flexible re hours, as my childcare arrangements currently work around my parents' and DH's jobs. This means that even if they offered me the same number of hours, spread differently across the week, I might find it difficult to take the job.

Does anyone know what my position would be?

[flowerybeanbag]

What happens if you choose one of the 'apply for' options and then don't get the job? Compulsory redundancy? Is that a different package?

If you are unable to change the hours you work, you need to make a decision what you want to do, and if you want to apply for one of the jobs, you need to make it clear to HR or whoever, that you want to do so but will only be able to do x hours. You need to clear this all up before you apply.

Can you meet with someone in HR to discuss your individual situation and work out between you how best you can go about getting yourself a job, work out if that is possible, and ensure you don't jeopardise your VR package?

[sameagain]

Thank you flowery

This is where it gets complicated. I am told all questions must be put to my line manager, who then relays them to HR and it's becoming a bit like Chinese whispers.

If I go for one of the "apply for" options and don't get it, then re-deployment procedures are invoked, which means the Bank will do their best to find me a "suitable alternative" position. If this is not successful then I will face compulsory redundancy on the same terms as VR (that is what I am told although I don't have it in writing)

If I say I can only do 14 hours (as now) and they offer me, say, 14 hours across 4 days, would that be considered a suitable alternative?

I probably can be a bit flexible on hours, but I don't want to offer this, for them to come up with something I don't want and then be told, but you said you'd be flexible.

[BonsoirAnna]

So you currently work 14 hours over two days, and you specify the days? And you want to continue working those same hours and days?

What is in your current contract about your days/hours?

[flowerybeanbag]

'suitable alternative' should take into account things like pay, status, location and hours.

If the new proposed hours involve significant disruption to your personal circumstances, you could certainly say the alternative is not 'suitable'.

[sameagain]

Bonsoir - When I went back after ML, the bank offered those days because there was another woman already working the other 3 days (although never a formal job share) She moved on some time ago, but I kept my days. All my arrangements after ML (with parents and DH) were based around those days, so yes I would prefer to keep them as they are.

That said, I would consider more hours if it could be term-time only, but wonder if that just makes everything too complicated ATM. I believe my contract has a standard clause about hours being changed at the bank's discretion, but I was advised when the other lady left (and they tried to force me to take on her hours) that it was unenforceable and certainly they backed-down as soon as they realised I had taken advice.

Flowery - would it be acceptable/ a good idea to go for the VR option, but annotate the form that I felt I had no option as I have been unable to obtain satisfactory answers to my questions about p-t working in the apply for options?

What do you think happens if I am late returning the form? No-one at work can answer that one either.

[flowerybeanbag]

I think you should push for an answer to your questions. It's all very well being told to channel questions through your line manager, and that is sensible, but if you're not getting answers you need to discuss it with someone directly.