I really need to some advice here

[Dearymee]

I’m going to try and make this as unidentifiable as possible for what will become obvious reasons. Salaries are adjusted to be not identifying but are not base rate tax payer salaries.

im in tech and I I started a new role 4 months ago, got a pay rise to 60k. How ever they’ve jut put me at risk, and it looks like it’s rapid turn around for compulsory redundancies. As of yet I don’t know if I’ll be selected BUT last In first out tends to be the way BUT tbh I would say I’m the best and most qualified person for the job. BUT I’ve no indication either way and the entire department was advised to look for other roles outside the business and to use our connections and even to go back to our old employer if we can. 50% of us will be going. However, the whole thing has been handled very very poorly (I won’t go into it but it’s jaw dropping) As a result there will be a settlement (over 10k)

so I’ve been looking

I’ve got an interview (65-80k)and then a final informal chat on another (55k) realistically the former is probably out of my reach

i pulled in a connection and got a wink wink nudge nudge tenative we’ll Mickey Mouse the interview at my old employer. Different role but same salary range. BUT the max salary is 5k less than my current salary and they won’t pay me the max. So I’d be looking at 7 maybe even 10 less, but the job isn’t live yet so I don’t know. BUT the benefit package is a lot better. I sort of feel indebted to them now.

BUT I still don’t know if I’m going to be laid off.

leaving only makes sense IF I’m being laid off and will get a settlement. I can probably make that happen if I put myself forward for it but I have to do it very very soon.

ultimately my views on my current work place have changed and the culture has taken a massive shift and it’s become very unpleasant. That being said I could make it work, if I wanted (if not laid off) but I don’t want to.

so my options as I see it;

do nothing - get laid off, my old employer don’t shaft me and offer 7k pay cut to 53k. Fine. Settlement and benefits work to not put me at a financial disadvantage.

do nothing but NOT laid off - and quit. No settlement and pay cut in other job= financial disadvantage.

put myself forward for redundancy- get settlement go to old employer, fine

put myself forward for redundancy- settlement but old employer shafts me pay wise and don’t get to other jobs and I’m stuffed. unlikely but still in the realm of possibility

do I put myself forward for being laid off as I think leaving is the best bet for me but it only makes financial sense if I get a payout.

do I do it?

Why be mean? But I’ll tell you why I’m not my best self. 2 weeks before being out at risk, my dad died. My dad was my best friend, who I’d talk to about this, he was so proud I got a job at a salary that I deserved. I lost him suddenly and the rug got pulled out from underneath me, and I feel like I’m drowning at the best of times. This on top, I can’t see.

No you can offer VR to the same group/roles. Doesn't need to be business wide (early retirement does) and always company discretion. People can also volunteer from any department but obviously less likely to be accepted if their department is not at risk.

The distinction here is that they are probably not offering enhanced redundancy pay for VR.

Is the "settlement" over and above statutory redundancy pay? The whole settlement issue is confusing me.
Also why they would officially advise everyone to look for alternatives if they are only losing 50%....unless they are hoping you all quit.

You just be honest with old employer.....really want to come back but its too early for me to accept any offer....can you hold that thought while we wait and see if I am made redundant? As obviously I don't want to lose the payout especially as you offer is less than I get now.

I wouldn’t count on any settlement. A company on the verge of collapse isn’t going to go throwing £10Ks round like confetti to people that they don’t need to pay a penny to by law.

Could you manage on the lower salary at your old employer? Were you happy there, but just tempted by the higher salary of the new place?

Thank you @laclochette it’s about 3 months pay roughly (after tax) but it will be tax free. What makes it appealing is If I was walking into another job, my car died on its arse so I need another one and that would be a weight off

i don’t owe them? I really feel like I do? Esp if they created a job for Me? I’m worried about burning bridges

Yeah it’s way above it, statutory for me would be nothing. Now it is related to seniority so in truth the lower paid individuals it will be significantly less. I wish I could give more detail but it would be outing.

re looking for jobs, I think the rapid nature of the process would mean it would be hard to most to secure a role. It s a consistent message from my peers that we’ve been told ‘ to see the process through but explore all options’

Sounds to me like your current employer is being specifically vague so that people are in the position you are in now. They are hoping that people will jump ship to secure a role and won't hang around for redundancy. This cuts down on their redundancy costs. Do you want to work for a company that will treat it's staff in this way? Likely after this round if redundancies there will an awful atmosphere, increased workload on people, lack of clarity about real ownership. Most likely won't be an enjoyable place to work.
Your aim here is to not miss out on the £10k if you are one of the people on the chopping block.
If your previous employer has created a role for you they clearly want you back. There's likely no urgency in getting you into the role.
I would be honest with your old employer, tell them that you don't want to prematurely quit your existing role until you know if you are eligible for the payout. You are 100% taking their offer but you are unable to confirm the start date until things are sorted with existing employer. I'm sure you're current employer has some rough time line they can provide to give old employer an idea of start date.

We’ll get it combined with an NDA.

i was happy, bored but well respected. I can manage on the lower salary. That’s exactly it, I was approached and tempted away by the sudden increase in salary

Just an observation , you mention the £10k settlement would compensate for the lost salary at your old employer. That’s just for one year. Think ahead to other years. £10k is quite a step back and if you’re experience and your skills are worth more I would wait it out for a better salary.

@Dearymee Honestly, businesses don't do things out of the kindness of their heart. Don't think of them as friends. If your old employer has a role for you, it's because they need something doing and you could do it for them. Try to take emotions out of the situation.

And don't make decisions based on a potential £10k. Only bank on what you can bank - this is just a maybe bank. I'd act as if it wasn't in the equation, and if you end up getting it, it's a lovely bonus. (If it were 6 months or a year's pay to be honest I'd think maybe think otherwise but... It isn't)

@Annacondas

nasty post

But is it a settlement because they messed up and are liable? Seems unlikely they would offer this upfront without some NDA
Or just enhanced redundancy partly which is fairly common?

OH had a similar situation. Threatened with redundancy after lockdown. He called some contacts and applied for some other jobs. A friend offered him a job but he took a different one (and quit the awful company that screwed him over, got no redundancy pay but glad to be shot of them). He explained to friend who created job that he was very grateful but for several reasons it wasn't ideal for him.

Ps sounds like they want you to take the settlement to avoid the negative PR and costs of redundancy. I would decline that and see what happens

Completely agree on my current employer, it is absolutely intentional. I don’t think my old employer will pressure me to start asap, they want an answer but they’d understand about the settlement.

youre spot on about the culture and how it will be moving forward too. Hence why I want to leave and because I want to leave I’m wondering do I just ‘take a punt’ and just put myself forward for it just in case they were planning to keep me?

It is, I guess my thought process was in another year I could try to move on even internally.

it is a big step back right, there is no denying that. But if I’m made redundant and let the job go that 10k would go quick 😭😭

I think it is redundancy, but there will be something to sign I think, that has been hinted at. They just can’t take any more damage to their reputation

I’m so so sorry for your loss. And sorry for the tone - I honestly didn’t mean to be mean, I just couldn’t understand the heart of the dilemma especially as you had to change bits for anonymity. It sounds jumbled and I couldn’t understand what part of it was missing, to be able to have an opinion either way on your choices.

I bet your dad would be very proud to know you have all these possibilities. I know what it is like to lose the person you turn to for advice. I quite often have a conversation in my head with people I have lost, what do you think your dad would be replying?

Don’t rush anything right now. Apologies again and take care of yourself.

Very sorry for your loss. I'd plan to leave your job regardless, as it's likely a sinking ship anyway and morale will be terrible. Considering it's a tough time in your personal life I'd be tempted to go back to your old work for a yr or two as it will be more comfortable and predictable and they seem decent (just going by the fact they're willing to create a position for you.)

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to min/max the settlement. If it happens, great, but you can only control so much.

It’s fine. Aibu always brings people to put the boot in. But thank you for apologising

i don’t know what he’d say or think or advise, he’s gone and I don’t ‘feel’ him or anything like some people say. There’s just these random possibilities and I feel sick. I was allowed my 3 days for my dad and a week AL nothing else due to my tenure in role. Then this hit and it is just chaos in my head

Take the voluntary redundancy and go back to your old employer

That's the answer you want people to give you

the only thing I want is for none of this to be happening or this waiting to be over so I know either way so I can get a bit of control back

This turmoil will end. You will feel better. This is just something you have to go through now. It’s unsettling unnerving and very difficult. But you will get through it.

have you got good colleagues for everyday chats and support?

today don’t make a decision. Today have a coffee and cake for morning break and tell yourself you’ll get through this and you’ll be in a calmer situation in 6 months.

even if you end up back in your old job and you feel you want to stay a year to be loyal, a year is short. You can still be looking for other options whilst working and being loyal to your employer.

anxiety and grief are both horrible things to deal with. You’ve got it all going on at once. I’m telling you this- you are going to get through this turbulence and uncertainty and you are going to be fine.

today- no decision needs to be made. Cake and coffee.

In your position I’d put myself forward for redundancy, accept the old job but continue to look for something else higher paid. Cover all bases. Don’t worry about loyalty to the old employer, work is a transactional arrangement not a favour.

Unfortunately the deadline is today 😭 I thought it was the was the end of the week but they just emailed saying they’ve brought it forward

So the deadline for putting yourself forward? And if you don’t? How does the payoff work?

Deadline being today means an end to this feeling of chaos and worry will come even sooner.

I stand by my statement that you should get coffee and cake today at break