Are They Trying To Manage Me Out??

[laylaandannabelle]

Hello Everyone,
Would really appreciate your advice/take on this:

Due to a health condition I went from working full time to part time. This arrangement was reviewed recently whereby I asked for it to be extended. However, the company said that they are not in a position to extend it.
I have the choice to either come back full time or else take a settlement agreement. Reading between the lines is by offering me a settlement agreement a way of managing me out? They hired another person to do the days I don’t work on a fixed term contract. Perhaps they want to keep her over me and offer her my role?

I feel very vulnerable right now and would really appreciate your insights?

Do you have a union? Have you spoken to a solicitor? How long have you worked there?

I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re managing you out but more they don’t want to pay for two salaries for one position as ftc or temps are expensive. They are saying the job isn’t a part time role so if you can’t come back full time they are offering you money to leave.

Thanks for such a quick response :-)
I’m not in a Union. I have worked there nearly 3 years. Nope have not spoken with a solicitor.

Op a settlement agreement agreement means you leave. Employment terminated. They are not managing you out, that is subtle, it’s a straight work full time or they terminate as the business cannot accommodate.

What's their reasoning for saying you must be full-time?

You need to speak to an employment solicitor or ACAS etc. As you've been there over 2 years you have rights etc.

Yes a settlement agreement is a contract that basically means that they pay you to leave your employment. Ask for a draft version of the agreement and what they are considering offering and they should contribute towards the legal fees for you to get advice.

Depends

What's the settlement?

Would you/do you need to be able to find another job?

Are there any other reasonable accommodations that could be made, i.e. WFH?

Yes agree with pp, ask what terms they are proposing for settlement and make a decision at that point with all of the facts. They are not managing you out, they are being very clear on the need which appears to be 1 full time person. It sounds like they are offering you the full time role if you want it but realise you might not want full time job.

I would speak to someone in citizens advice.

Is there anyone else doing your role on a part time basis in the company?

Hmm… so I’ve never managed a joint pt position nor have I managed in your country with applicable laws. That being said…

They aren’t managing you out they are giving a clear choice… work FT or take the settlement and leave.

I imagine several scenarios
-it could be disruptive to the business to juggle a FT position between 2 PT employees.

-you may not be ‘as good’ as the other pt person
-your performance in the PT role isn’t great
-or many other things

Since I don’t know enough to comment on the legalities… I will ask a couple of questions…

-Are you performing at the level you were before the health issues (adjusted for pt rate) ?
-Is the job appropriate for two people to split?
-what else is going on?