Page 5 | Been called to a meeting with HR - any advice?

Foxy200 · 2025-01-30T16:16:28+00:00

(Name change in case any of my colleagues recognise me) I’ve been called into the office on Wednesday next week for a meeting with my boss and HR. The meeting title is vague, and when I asked what it was about, I was told it was just an update meeting with nothing to prepare. I asked if I should be worried, and I was told that I shouldn’t be. However, I can’t shake the feeling that something might be amiss. There’s no question about my performance, but I find my boss very difficult to work with; he’s a micromanager and often inappropriate. I tend to keep my distance and only approach him when necessary, and I avoid any work social events. I’m concerned that I may be let go simply because I don’t seem to fit in. I’ve been with the company for 11 months in a senior role, and while I’m not devastated since I hate the job, I’m worried about being out of work and finding another position. I’ve never been fired before, and I feel a bit anxious about it. Any advice on how to handle the meeting?

Whyherewego · 01/02/2025 18:27

Spirallingdownwards · 01/02/2025 18:13

Discretionary bonuses are always "in the gift" of the employer so they can simply choose not to give them.

Show quote history

Discretionary bonuses are.just that. Unfortunately it will not be guaranteed. If they confirmed you were eligible and the amount and are now unable to pay then that is less clear. If they have severe cash flow problems you're best off looking for another job!

jeaux90 · 04/02/2025 15:33

OP I hope it goes ok tomorrow.

Panham · 05/02/2025 19:39

How did it go?

LostittoBostik · 05/02/2025 20:46

Any news OP?

Jillybloop393 · 05/02/2025 22:43

I do hope we find out what happened, and hopefully the meeting wasn't regarding redundancy.

DazzlingCuckoos · 06/02/2025 10:23

The latest update doesn't sound positive unfortunately. Any business having to make staff redundant will take two routes:

the easiest route; and
the cheapest route.

When you've been working somewhere less than two years and they're looking to reduce headcount, you fulfil both criteria unfortunately.

If they're giving three months notice, perhaps try and negotiate it as a "leave now" scenario. That way at least you may be able to avoid paying tax and NI on the 3 months income and can spend more time looking for another role.

Unfortunately I'd say the chances of getting the bonus are gone. As you say, the handbook refers to it being discretionary so I'd assume you weren't getting anything and it's likely entirely within their right to do so, as shitty as it is.

If they've already delayed the bonuses, I'd say they've either:

realised the NI costs mean they need to make people redundant, so used cashflow issues as an excuse to defer the bonuses to the point that they weren't going to pay them; or
the cashflow issues are genuine, in which case the business is in more trouble than just the NI increase.

neekeem · 06/02/2025 21:52

Foxy200 · 01/02/2025 13:50

Update

I have found out that the company is making redundancies due to the increase in National Insurance. There hasn’t been an official announcement but a close friend in another team received her notice yesterday. They are loosing one person on average per department. My boss was on annual leave yesterday and Monday, Tuesday next week, and I don’t believe anyone in our team has been informed yet.

My friend, who also has under two years of service, was offered just her three months' notice. The company has decided not to pay her annual bonuses, which was confirmed in December and expected at the end of January. About two weeks ago, we all received an email stating that bonus payments would be delayed until February due to cash flow issues. I reviewed my contract and found that it allows the company to withhold bonus payments at their discretion.
The more I think about it, my boss has been resistant to booking a number of important meetings in February and March, which makes me suspect that I might be affected.

Has anyone been in this position before in terms of bonus payments being confirmed and then withheld. It is 30% of my salary and so too much to loose especially if I get made redundant.

Still hanging around for an update and I hope it’s not as you feared OP

Original poster

Foxy200 · 07/02/2025 08:48

Hi,

Thanks for all the messages.

I have been made redundant along with 7-8 others. It's based on company wide cost savings and the need to reduce headcount. I had the meeting with HR and my boss on Wednesday, and tbh , I just wanted to get it over and done with - I had been on tender hooks for nearly a week.

I asked about working my notice and they are willing to discuss this. I also asked about the bonus and they said that they would confirm everything in writing, which they still haven't done and so clearly I won't be receiving it.

Just a question on the tax free payment, as mentioned by a PP. I understood that you couldn't receive your notice period as a tax free payment, but am I wrong ? I won't find a new job in 3 months and I will not receive any redundancy pay, so I am really worried about money.

OP posts:

angela1952 · 07/02/2025 08:53

So sorry to hear your news, my DH has been made redundant twice and it was like a kick in the guts. It's probably worth seeing if you can pursue a claim for the bonus since you working during the time it was "earned".

QuickHare · 07/02/2025 08:57

It's shit. I'm so sorry. It wasn't you.

TheDrunkenClam · 07/02/2025 09:00

Sorry to hear your news - I've been through it twice and whilst it is a worry at the time it all worked out for the best!
Notice period pay will be subject to tax/NI deductions in my experience. I'd ask to be let go with immediate effect to give you maximum time to focus on finding a new role.
Good luck but you'll be fine. Onwards and upwards!

Jillybloop393 · 07/02/2025 09:05

I'm so sorry - that's a rubbish start to 2025. But ... I bet you turn it around, and end up better off and happier. Good luck - I hope to read a post in the very near future from you that you're pleased it happened, and you're loving your super new job! x

roses2 · 07/02/2025 09:35

I understood that you couldn't receive your notice period as a tax free payment, but am I wrong ? I won't find a new job in 3 months and I will not receive any redundancy pay, so I am really worried about money.

It will be processed like a normal salary with tax and NI deducted but you will - eventually - get a tax refund if you are out of work for awhile when Inland Revenue do the annual tax calculation.

Sorry to hear and good luck. It's a tough market out there - DH got made redundant in April last year and is still looking.

OVienna · 07/02/2025 10:44

I'm sorry to hear this.

Panham · 07/02/2025 10:52

Foxy200 · 07/02/2025 08:48

Hi,

Thanks for all the messages.

I have been made redundant along with 7-8 others. It's based on company wide cost savings and the need to reduce headcount. I had the meeting with HR and my boss on Wednesday, and tbh , I just wanted to get it over and done with - I had been on tender hooks for nearly a week.

I asked about working my notice and they are willing to discuss this. I also asked about the bonus and they said that they would confirm everything in writing, which they still haven't done and so clearly I won't be receiving it.

Just a question on the tax free payment, as mentioned by a PP. I understood that you couldn't receive your notice period as a tax free payment, but am I wrong ? I won't find a new job in 3 months and I will not receive any redundancy pay, so I am really worried about money.

You will find something it’s the right time of year just get on total jobs and you’ll be inundated. It’s horrible I’ve been there but try not to take it personally. I took a change of career at this point and found something related but different and never looked back. Treat it as a positive change and you’ll be fine. Think out of the box a bit If there aren’t many jobs going In your field right now diversify a bit. And…enjoy the time off you’ll look back at it fondly in years to come. Good luck!

Rimmer08 · 07/02/2025 10:57

How much notice did you get of the meeting?
take a representative in with you to take notes/offer advice- union rep if you are in one.

Babbitbaddit · 07/02/2025 13:59

I found Eleanor Tweddell’s ‘Why losing your job could be the best thing that happened to you’ to be a good book to reframe your mindset. Being made redundant is a scary time, I used it as an opportunity to go to another industry. Good luck!

DazzlingCuckoos · 07/02/2025 15:12

Hi @Foxy200 - it's called a PILON - payment in lieu of notice.

There certainly used to be a quirk in the rules that if you had a PILON referred to in your employment contract it was taxable if received, but if your employment contract was silent on a PILON being paid then it could be tax free.

It seems HMRC may have closed that loophole though as this page says that you pay tax and NI on the part of your termination payment that you'd have earned if you were working.

https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

If they paid you anything over and above your notice period that would be tax free up to £30,000.

Sorry to have given you a bum steer.

Tax on termination payments

Check if you’ll pay tax or National Insurance on the 'termination payment' you may get when leaving a job.

https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

Lilactimes · 07/02/2025 19:02

DazzlingCuckoos · 07/02/2025 15:12

Hi @Foxy200 - it's called a PILON - payment in lieu of notice.

There certainly used to be a quirk in the rules that if you had a PILON referred to in your employment contract it was taxable if received, but if your employment contract was silent on a PILON being paid then it could be tax free.

It seems HMRC may have closed that loophole though as this page says that you pay tax and NI on the part of your termination payment that you'd have earned if you were working.

https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

If they paid you anything over and above your notice period that would be tax free up to £30,000.

Sorry to have given you a bum steer.

Yes - came on here to say that.
do you want to work your notice or just receive payment? This will give you more time to look for another job?
although if you’re working notice, your employer has to give you time to look for work I believe and attend interviews.
wishing you lots of luck @Foxy200 - I’m sure you will get something soon x