Not taking voluntary redundancy when you don't even need to work

[triskele]

Work are asking for voluntary redundancies.

Pay off is statutory only.

I won't be putting in for it as I can't afford to be out of work. I may yet get culled if not enough people put in.

Anyway. Colleague who is close to retirement, comes in, makes a drink, has a chat, has a moan and might eventually do some work - who also makes no secret of not needing to work - says she's not going unless pushed.

Part of me thinks fair enough but part of me is fuming. Other people who need the could end up out of work while Mrs Chat keeps her job. If I were her I'd volunteer and save someone else.

AIBU to think this? I'm fully prepared to admit she has a right to hang on if she wants...she clearly works for the social side of things. What would you do in that situation?

[pixiebaby23]

As others have said, work is not just for money, it's good for your mental health (if it's the right job and you're happy there). Also, I know from experience, it's really hard to find re-employment when you're older.

Be angry with your bosses for not performance managing effectively though.

And your co-worker would do well not to rub your noses in it if she's wealthier - but you probably have habits which piss off other people - as we all do.

[Teenspov]

The same is happening at the school I go to, they're wanting rid of 2 English teachers and have asked for volunteers. Me and my teachers all know who we want to leave, but the bloody woman is safe cause she has some shitty qualification-she's shit at her job, she's been ill a lot recently and she's just generally hopeless! Know how frustrating this can be. Not much you can really do unfortunately, unless you get called in for a meeting with the people who have the power to pick who gets fired then you could put your points across (but potentially risk your job in the process).
I really hope it goes well for you though, and that you keep your job. It's a horrible situation to be put in.

[chanie44]

I have someone in my office like this. They are early 70s, have a great pension, in addition to a large inheritance from a parent. They don't need to work. The reason they do is primarily because they are lonely. They don't have a partner and family live far away.

It seems really unjust when we are restructuring and they know that there are people in the office who could end up in serious financial difficulties if they lost their job. I know that if they retired, someone else could be saved from being made redundant. I do understand that they have a right to their job etc etc.

[harderandharder2breathe]

She needs to be managed better, but she's as much right to want to stay as anyone else

[MidniteScribbler]

She may not need to work, but she has as much right as anyone else to do so. Lack of performance is a different issue.

I really hate when businesses ask for voluntary redundancies, because it pits staff off against each other just like this. It needs to be dealt with at a management level and staff approached individually and confidentially to consider taking redundancies.

I certainly wouldn't take one if they weren't offering me a damned good offer. If this woman is only several years from retirement, her chances of getting another job are probably pretty slim.

[QueenLaBeefah]

Is she is mase redundant at her age she will, more than likely, never work again. I don't blame her for not going for redundancy.

[maddening]

If they're only offering statutory for voluntary redundancy no one should volunteer - things like mortgage payment protection and other insurances wouldn't pay out as you would be losing job voluntarily.

[triskele]

Thanks every. IABU!

(But still wish that people who have no financial need to work would not go on about this all the time!)

[MaisyPops]

YABU if we're going logically because she doesnt owe you anything.

But, I can totally see why you feel that way and it's completely understandable on an emotional level.

[specialsubject]

Volunteering doesn't necessarily mean anyone else will be saved.

There is never only one round. Start making plans even if you survive this one.

[Slightlyperturbedowlagain]

She may also be trying to ensure she has sufficient credits for her state pension, or so that she's not totally dependent on her OH. There are lots of possible reasons.

[OhTheRoses]

I have no need whatsoever to work financially. Nobody at work actually needs to know this. I love work and I'm bloody good at what I do. Work fulfils me and gives me a,purpose. I am also entitled to work regardless of any characteristic under the Equality Act (2010) as is the lady in question.

[DisneyMillie]

I technically don't need to work (as in we could survive on my dh money) but I like working and extra money enables us to have more luxuries - very few people are so wealthy that they wouldn't like a bit more income

[caroldecker]

They are not offering a sweetener as they want to get rid of the worse performing - often the good workers will take the enhancement knowing they can get a new job easily.

[EweAreHere]

Technically, my family could and has lived on my DH's salary. But I would fight tooth and nail to keep my job because it does make a difference in our lives and my mental health. Just because we don't 'need' the income as much as other people might, doesn't mean I should offer myself up on if redundancies are being made.

[EweAreHere]

I realize you're frustrated and worried and angry OP, but it's not your colleague's fault.

At her age, work is what may may her feel useful and be keeping her amongst people and mentally active, important things for health and well being. And she may need the money more than you know, in spite of what she might say.

[schokolade]

Nah I didnt mean the colleague should kindly give up her job!! Why should she? I just meant it's easy to start resenting g other colleagues (as the op is) when it's misplaced. The colleague is in the same bad situation and so hopefully they can still try to be friendly.

[Megatherium]

Your employers are being fairly silly asking for voluntary redundancies but offering only statutory redundancy pay. Usually the incentive for voluntary redundancy is that you get more than the statutory allowance, because otherwise you have nothing whatsoever to lose by hanging on until it becomes compulsory unless you have a better job to go to.

[triskele]

I'm not being goady.

I fully acknowledge she owes me and my other colleagues nothing.

I think before redundancies announced her not being properly managed was frustrating as she really takes the pee but now we are in this situation her not being disciplined etc means when they look at criteria her lack of any actual work won't come into it.

I am just frustrated.

[Crowdblundering]

This has to be LA?

[museumum]

If she's not productive then she won't survive a restructure if it means competitive reapplying for positions.

[ShatnersBassoon]

There's being kind, and there's changing the plans you had for the rest of your working years and reducing your potential pension income. She owes her colleagues nothing, and I don't blame her for putting her own interests first.

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

excuse I don't think it's an attempt to be Goady, I think op is just very anxious and feeling a bit resentful. I think it's understandable but her frustration is misplaced.

[schokolade]

It does sound stressful. No one is in a great position. I suppose all you can do really is try to be kind to each other despite the stress.

[ExcuseMyEyebrows]

No-one can know another's personal circumstances. She may not 'need to work' at the moment but anyone can be hit with a big household bill at any time.

Also if she has insurance to cover a mortgage for example, that would be invalidated by taking voluntary redundancy.

As other posters have said, work is about more than money - don't write her off because she's approaching retirement age

You're coming across as a little bit goady OP...