Company announcement, what could it be?

[bluebag27]

In your experiences, when you have been told there is a company announcement, what has it turned out to be?

I'm currently off work, but have been told there is an announcement tomorrow and that I must attend unless it's absolutely impossible that I can't.

My first thought is redundancies. What else could it be?

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/redundancy-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/

We had this last year. The company had gone into administration. It wasn't a shock though as we knew there were financial issues.

Thanks @Thevelvelletes

This came in to force on the 6th of April sourced from pregnant then screwed

Yes, it affects you slightly differently.

They can still make your role redundant. However you should get priority for any suitable alternative vacancies, so make sure you keep an eye on any that are offered or advertised so you can express your interest. If it’s genuinely objectively suitable, then you should be offered the job.

You should also be paid as a KIT day if you’re attending work meetings.

As an employment lawyer, It’s definitely redundancies. Sorry.

All of those or Senior Management changes.

How ridiculous. Its a strong possibility, bit it's far from definite.

@MrsPinkCock Ah really? Nobody has mentioned me being paid for attending the meeting. Do you not have to do a full day at work in order to be paid?

I have attended two such meetings, the first was redundancy and the second was news of our company taking over a new company and news of restructure post that.

No, it doesn’t have to be a full day - you’re entitled to 10 KIT days, but even attending for two hours (for example) would still remove one full day from your allowance.

They don’t have to pay you for the full day, although many employers would - but they should agree with you what you will be paid if they’re requiring you to attend. You should be paid at least your normal salary for the hours you are there, though, so I’d clarify this with them!

I wonder if there's anything in the financial press if it's a big company. In my case on the day new CEO the restructure came at a later date.

They might avoid it to not ebay accused of unfair treatment but if your all professional or the business itself is closing down or losing everybody in the team then your best bet is too hope for a pay off

BTW. Get back once the meetings over cause now im curious...

The only time I've had to attend a meeting like this it was redundancies. It was the statutory consultation meeting that employers are required to have.

As it happens, not one single person was made redundant. Many got other jobs within the organisation, and some got jobs elsewhere, and there was no need. A few people were pissed off because they wanted to be be made redundant because they weren't far off retirement age and would have got a decent payout!

Could be TUPE consultation meetings? This happened to us when we were taken over by a larger firm. Big announcement then little meetings followed about how things would change. It was a good thing, in the long run.

Email HR and ask. You should either be paid a full day, even for a meeting or they may do half a day and it be counted as a SPLIT day. You're entitled to 10 kit days while on mat leave.

Sorry should have said,

If you're able to attend...reply that you are able to attend, ask for clarification of hours needed to attend and for it to be counted as a kit day.

They won't be able to refuse unless they decide you're actually not needed.

It means this should be classed at a KIT day and paid. Maternity gives some protection against redundancy but not necessarily to avoid it.

Really? 🤨
The last 3 company wide timed announcements I’ve been called to were:

• acquisition: no redundancies
• change to pension scheme (shit, but no redundancies)
• major news story related to our industry and wanting to send a clear message on our official stance (no redundancies)

As it happens I think the follow up meetings of the same day do sound more like redundancy than the above.

But I don’t think you say that it’s “definitely” that. Are you very newly qualified, perhaps, and lacking experience?

Redundancies/restructuring or merger/takeover. The latter wouldn't require further meetings.

I’ve had it - our company had been sold to an investor. It was however not a change for the better!!! I much preferred the large well known owner we had been under previously

Last time I had this it was our office closing down and redundancies or relocation

It's definitely redundancies.
If you can't attend you will be called. I don't recommend getting this remotely, it's not pleasant and you will miss the opportunity to remind colleagues who you are esp if there are new roles.
Try not to bring the baby if you can avoid it. Even if you have to bring someone to walk around the block for a few hours.
It's common to have your email account locked out as soon as you are put at risk.

I would log in,

• download payslips - getting access to these for mortgages etc when you've left is a mission.
• download personal correspondence between the company and you. We get bonus letters everything to work, I am rubbish at sending them onto my personal account even though I've been in this position before.
• download your last few years performance reviews - so you have some recollection of what you've been doing/delivered/succeeded at when you start interviewing there or elsewhere
• Don't download tons of useful company docs that you don't own even if you wrote them. You'll get yourself in all kinds of trouble. screenshots however....

If this is a post where the OP doesn’t come back and update I will riot!

My experience of redundancy announcements is that the affected teams get told first, then a company wide announcement follows the next day.