Redundancy and time off to look for another job

[POPholditdown]

Hi, I’ve posted on employment but haven’t had any replies so thought I’d try this board.. ’m hope someone can clarify what is reasonable in this case.

My team is going through redundancy consultation at the minute. I have an interview next week for another job which is expected to last a couple of hours.

I work nights, so the interview is obviously not in my scheduled work time, but at the same time I’ll struggle to work the night before, stay up for the interview during the day and work that same night again.

Annual leave is unlikely to be approved at this short notice, however my team is fully staffed on the night I want off (or to leave mid shift to get some sleep in)

Would this define ‘reasonable time out of work’ to seek other employment?

I’m trying to clarify this before I request it as my employer is not flexible when it comes to work life balance in general, so I have a feeling they might try to decline this on the basis that the interview is not during my shift. They’re inflexible with unpaid leave, too.

If they say no, do I have any comeback (my comeback would essentially be quoting the gov website on this matter..)

If you secure other employment within 30 days of redundancy, they don't have to pay you redundancy pay. You'd think the interview would be in their interest and especially if fully staffed then anyway?

In your circumstances, given your employer has been inflexible in the past, I wouldn't want to risk them saying no and would call in sick.

You'd think the interview would be in their interest and especially if fully staffed then anyway?

You’d think that, but without going into too much detail, my managers have been knowing to cut their noses off, just to show who’s boss

I’ve also been there for a relatively short time, so I’m not really going to benefit from a redundancy so to speak.

I was thinking sickness might be the way to go, too ubercorns

Is that a recent thing Alan? I was made redundant and there was no restriction on me getting another job. I didn't have one to go to but I was paid my redundancy on my last day and have had no contact with my ex employer since and they wouldn't have known if I got another job the next day.

You're in a difficult position OP, would you be comfortable wit pretending to be ill? Not something I'd normally say but sometimes needs must

Are you still in consultation? Until you get the letter saying you will definitely be made redundant, I don't think reasonable time off will apply.

I went through redundancy last year and as far as I'm aware, it was only because our manager was not a dick that he let people have time off for interviews.

"let people have time off for interviews during the consultancy period" that should have been.

@AdamNichol
If you secure other employment within 30 days of redundancy, they don't have to pay you redundancy pay.

Are you sure? that doesnt sound right at all, I've been made redundant about 3 times now, and each time i have walked in to another job in less than 2 weeks, and never forfeited my redundancy pay

Can you provide a source?

www.money.co.uk/guides/your-redundancy-rights.htm

What if I need to start a new job before the end of my notice?Important: Bear in mind that if you leave your job without your employers permission, they are entitled to reduce the amount of redundancy pay owed to you.^

Once you have been made redundant and are working your notice your employer is obliged to give you reasonable time off to look for another job and to arrange training that will help you find another job.

If you need to start a new job with a different company before the end of your notice period the best thing to do is to talk to your employer as they may be willing to release you without docking your redundancy pay.^

not a word about no pay, only if you leave before the contract period, and reduced not removed

and

Don't leave early unless your employer agrees - otherwise you'll have resigned and won't get your redundancy payment. If you want to leave early because you've found another job you could also ask your new employer if they'll let you start later. Starting later could be better than losing your redundancy pay.
Your notice period during redundancy - Citizens Advice

Yeah, still in consultation. I don’t want to be too outing about the circumstances, but even I’m probably a good candidate to go.

I wouldn’t normally phone in sick, but think it’s the way to go on this occasion. For normal interviews, I’d probably be ok not sleeping after work but this one is a lengthy assessment type and I really want to be able to think straight.

Thanks all

If you think they'll be awkward then just call in sick. You don't owe them anything- they're making you redundant after all! And being as fresh as possible at the interview in order to give you the best chance of getting another job has got to be your priority.

Thanks Tahani, that makes it a bit clearer. So, definitely not entitled to take the time off at the minute