Facing redundancy - all or nothing?

[SpangledBoots]

This week I was officially informed that my role in the marketing department of a bank is being removed through restructuring. My team of two is going. We expected it and have both been working on other projects which would convert into new roles.

I have a list of ringfenced roles to apply for and have identified two that are suited to my skillset. One is the role I've been unofficially doing. The problem is, both roles are two grades above my current grade and typically in the bank, this isn't encouraged. There's nothing I could do at my level or one up.

The alternative is to refuse any new role and move into redundancy. I'd have three months' notice and enough of a payout to cover 3-4 months without touching savings.

AIBU to brassneck this a bit and apply for those more senior jobs? What would you do?

Absolutely go for it! If you are doing the job already then surely there is no "brass neck" about it?

This is a no brainer. Apply for the jobs. If they are ringfenced I'm assuming you've only internal candidates to beat to them.

I don’t know why you wouldn’t at least apply- you don’t lose anything.

Go for it, if you don't it will be redundancy so you have absolutely nothing to lose

You have no reason to stick to the rules... you have something to gain by ignoring them.

Good luck

As long as you are applying for it, they cannot stop you from doing so. Go for it.

They wouldn't be able to slot you into a job on higher grade than your own. But you are allowed to apply.

If they've been ringfenced for you then the expectation is that you can do it but they can't just give it to you. If it's a role you want, you'd be mad not to apply.

Nothing to lose by applying for it. Good luck!

The alternative is to refuse any new role and move into redundancy.

As far as I remember if they offer you a "suitable alternative role" you don't have the choice to refuse (unless you would choose to resign with no redundancy pay out), or unless they allow voluntary redundancy (which would affect any benefits/insurance). Make sure to check this out before you do anything rash.

Thanks everyone. Lots of CV time this weekend!

BrokenWing - I looked at our suitable alternative policy and I'm fine, if there had been an 80% match of role, location and grade they'd have mapped me directly into that (if I refused, I'd have had to resign and lose any benefits)

The issue I have just now is I'm guaranteed to be let go if neither of these roles work out.

Good luck, Spangled, I'd do what other posters have suggested. You wouldn't be 'ring-fenced' for jobs that weren't within your grasp so the assumption must be that the bank thinks this is viable.

I know you said that they don't do this in the bank but perhaps that is under normal circumstances and not when somebody/a whole team is facing redundancy.

Go for the senior roles. You have been doing the job already so there's a really good chance you'd get it. You know the business and processes and they would not have to hire in. Go for it and good luck.

Go for it. Do not hesitate. Good luck :)