Made redundant today

[Soontobe60]

I know people get made redundant all the time, but it’s the first time for me. I’m really sad.
I’m 1 year from receiving my State pension, so only had 1 year to work. I love my job! We got a new Headteacher in January and shes turned out to be bloody ruthless.
My job will still need to be done after I leave - I teach PPA classes which are legal requirements for all class teachers. She’s not followed the Redundancy policy - makes it up as she goes along. It’s just not the way I wanted to end my 35 year career.

Urgh, that’s truly shit, I’m so sorry. Please tell me you have wine or gin tonight?

Sorry to read this. If redundancy policy hasn't been followed, then you need to seek advice. Are you in a union?

Sorry to read this. The next adventure in your life is on the horizon.

Surely if she's not followed the redundancy rules then it's constructive dismissal?

But if you're only 1 year from retirement, with a chunk of redundancy money - could that be quite a good thing?

I’ve no specific advice to offer but just wanted to say I’m sorry.
And, yes, definitely contact your union/acas.

You desperately need to speak to your Union!!! Can you also speak to the governing body / council with responsibility for your school so you can challenge this legally - redundancy is an incredibly regulated process.

What has the head not done properly?

Sadly, I've only been at this school for 3 years.

A large glass of Pinot!!

Oh I see. The 35 year comment threw me

My apologies

Constructive dismissal?

You can't make a job redundant if it's still going to be an active role afterward!

Is there an option for enhanced pension ie leaving now with the pension you would have got in a years time. It's really crap but sounds like you are better off out of it.

This.

She thinks that she can pay me off and I’ll go quietly for a start! Rookie error.
The job isnt redundant - we have 16 teachers all needing 1/2 day a week PPA. I covered 4 of those slots. Another teacher covered 6. She’s not got anyone to cover them so will likely be planning on using TAs who earn very little and are obviously not qualified teachers.
To add insult to injury, she has been interviewing today for another teacher - so does still need teachers, just not me!

Yep. She hasn’t read the HR handbook it would seem!

Oh no, what horrible timing. I've recently been made redundant for the second time in about 12 years but for it to happen just before retirement must be really gutting and it does sound dodgy - they should be careful of seeming to make someone redundant because they were like 'Oh, she's retiring soon anyway'

I did receive my teacher pension 4 years ago, but needed to supplement it with part time work until my State pension came in. My DH can only work part time due to some physical issues and is only on minimum wage.
We wont struggle in that we have savings to fall back on. It’s more the injustice of it all. She thinks you're over the hill if you're over 50.
I’m definitely better off out of it!

You’d think so!

Speak to your union asap.

If you gave 3 year's service and you've been made redundant you have the right to appeal the redundancy decision - as it is a dismissal in law. The right to appeal should have been set out in your dismissal letter.

From what you've said, grounds could include the fact this was not a redundancy situation (ie there is still the same requirement for the work you do to be done) and that she failed to follow redundancy policy.

Are you in a Union ?

Hi OP, I work in HR and this has set my alarm bells ringing!

First of all, you can't make a person redundant....only a job role can be made redundant if it's genuinely no longer needed and it sounds like that is not the case as the job is still required.

Redundancy has very clear rules around it and it doesn't sound like any of that has been followed. You need to contact your Union rep ASAP.

It's not about getting your job back, it's about the injustice of how this has been handled and making sure she doesn't do it to anyone else in the future. If the situation is as you describe it then I would immediately get your Union on side and submit a written grievance.

Off the record, this often means you can negotiate more favourable terms and leave with some more money. Ultimately she will want you to go away but you absolutely shouldn't go quietly nor accept her initial offer.

I'm really sorry, what a rotten way to end your working career.

Definitely take employment advice - check household insurance to see if you have legal cover or speak to your union.

if you are a qualified teacher and she is recruiting teachers then you should have been considered for that role as suitable alternative employment. If she’s been stupid enough to say anything about your age (and even if she hasn’t but there are reasons to believe this is age related) then you could be in line for a very significant compensation payment as discrimination payments are not subject to a statutory minimum unlike run of the mill unfair dismissal claims. You are potentially in a very strong negotiating position here so ensure you have good representation

No. After being in what was the NUT for many years, when I first went part time, I stopped paying in and have never rejoined.
I am, however, very savvy (I did used to be the union rep) about all things legal and will not be intimidated by a tin-pot Head who thinks employment law doesn’t apply to her.
I dont want my job back - I can see that I cannot remain working for her and still stay sane - but I wont go quietly. The other staff deserve for me to stand up and challenge her ineptitude. I will be taking out a grievance in the first instance.

You’re absolutely correct! Thank you.

Good for you OP. Give her what for. Enjoy it too 🤣

Your thread was directly above the thread by HLTA who earns £11/hour and has just covered 3 full days while teacher is on a trip/visit. So that is your problem - she wants to get a young HLTA for minimum wage.

It's really not a nice way to treat someone. I hope you can find another job.

Speak to your union because 1. The HT has fucked it up and 2. You might have redundancy entitlement from other teaching jobs you've had if they're in the same LA.

Possibly MATs will have compromised this.