Worked a year for free, basically

[Sadandstressed26]

A year ago my employer launched a voluntary severance scheme. The scheme met the number of staff it needed to.

A year later we have voluntary and potentially compulsory redundancies.

If I am made redundant, I will have worked for free, the difference between the voluntary severance and voluntary redundancy is huge. If I am not, there are lots of people in the same boat so it will apply to some.

I take take voluntary redundancy for the same reason I couldn't take voluntary severance.

I'm not sure what I'm asking for really, just want to vent.

To top it off, we haven't been informed of any restructures, but it was published on a shared company drive.

I'm not sure I understand. Why do you think you've worked for free? Surely you've been paid for the previous 12 months?

I think I get it, it’s the difference in the packages? So you’ve effectively worked for no extra?

That’s normal. It’s the risk you take hanging on. They want people to go the nice way. If you chose not to you’ll just have to wait and see.

it’s not working for free though, it’s your decision. It’s just an offer

You’ll have had an extra years wages? So not worked for free 🤷‍♀️. Your redundancy payment just won’t be as big…..that’s normal. And if it gets to compulsory redundancy it’ll be even less.

My extra years wages do not cover the difference, that's what I meant. Sorry if that was unclear.

What’s the difference between redundancy and severance?

I'd also like to know this

Plus, your post is as clear as mud!

This is a very weird way of thinking about it.

In no way, shape or form will you have worked a year for free.

the different in packages might by one years salary,but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles unfortunately. VR is always set out to be more attractive so as to encourage people, leaving more jobs behind for those who don’t want to leave. But they of course have to cap the number as the could and up with no staff at all.

Unfortunately that's what has happened, our teams are severely depleted. Some people applied for voluntary severance and were turned down, they are now at risk.

We were essentially sold the line that the VSS would solve everything, but obviously it didn't.

The difference is about £25,000.

I'm sorry if my post was unclear.

If you even try to make this point to your employer, they will look at you with complete confusion

You haven't worked for free - you've been paid for the work you did.

I know you’re gutted but you rejected the extra £25k. You took the risk.

severance and redundancy although the same thing in reality can mean slightly different things in unionised environments, for collective consultation agreements (ie you might agree no redundancies but can offer severance)

I hear you OP, it has happened to both DH and me. Turned down for VS, had to stay in crappy circumstances and both eventually given statutory.
In my case the difference was a life changing sum. I wish I had just tried to leave anyway.

Okay so what you mean is you had the chance to go on a voluntary basis, you decided to stay and now it’s still likely that you’ll be made redundant but you’ll receive £25,000 less? Is that it?

( I still dont know how that equates to working for a year for free)

Do you have a union? If not you need to join one asap

Just spell it out for us. How much would have got if you’d taken the severance deal a year ago, and how much will you get if you’re made redundant now?

I understood your post perfectly OP and I'm sorry your job is at risk.

She’s just cross (understandably) and has come up with a weird way of saying why.

Forget about the ‘working for free’, thing, OP - it’ll chew you up.

You have been paid the past year… correct?

So if you had got the voluntary redundancy you would have been given the money and not had to work? Yes. It's annoying.