this situation at work doesnt seem right to me

[employmentwoes2015]

would you be concerned by this?

Have nc'd as this is pretty identifying, have also slightly changed some details.

I work for a fairly large organisation - several hundred employees in various offices around the UK.

About a month ago, we were told that the owners of the business were in formal discussions over it's sale. We were advised that we would need to appoint TUPE reps in every office, and this had to be done within 7 days, and that the reps would then be involved in a consulation process etc.

So far so good. There has been almost no comms from the business since to the elected reps or anyone else, other than that no deal has been reached. Today we have been told verbally that instead of an outside company, some of the (ex) directors are now going to buy the business, and set it up as a new limited entity. Apparently this is going to happen within the next 7 days, and 'not to worry' all our terms etc will stay the same. It has also been openly said by management there's no point to the TUPE consultation process.

Does all this sound right? It makes me feel very uncomfortable indeed.

I don't know, but you could call ACAS - they're brilliant. www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

Will try and call them tomorrow.

If anyone has any advice/ thoughts in the meantime,would be much appreciated.

I'm not sure, but if the whole business is not being taken over by another company then why would TUPE apply?

Gin, I suppose that's the point - they thought TUPE might apply when it looked as if the business might be sold to another organisation, but once that was off the table TUPE doesn't apply, hence the statement that there is no need for a formal TUPE consultation.

I have been in a similar situation and it was fine - we were given letters once the company had changed hands which confirmed that our continuous employment wasn't stopping and that everything would stay the same.

In the case of a management buyout it's just a legal box ticking exercise

I can also recommend ACAS excellent.

Sorry, meant to say - if he is well behaved with you then you are clearly not a failure and are doing very well indeed!!

Oops wrong thread!

Sounds good so far, no redundancies or closedown are being discussed, there's no suggestion of having to reapply for jobs, and a management buyout could create new opportunities for skilled staff. Can understand it's unsettling though.