Redundancy - is this correct?

[Kanga13]

I work at a school and due to cuts we have just been told that some of us will be made redundant. That part I've got over and I'm already sorting out something else (although I can't find anything to match my hours yet) what I don't understand is they are telling we can work for 5 weeks after we have been made redundant and if we do we have to pay the money we get back.
Is this correct and can they restrict my right to work or do I have to wait 5 weeks before gaining employment in the education sector again?
Can anyone help??

Hi Kanga, I've just been through this situation and this is correct. It might depend on where you are as it's 4 weeks for me, not 5. It does depend on what your new job will be, google Local Government Modifications order. If you start a new job, or have an offer of a new job under one of those employers, within 4 weeks of contract ending then you become ineligible for redundancy money.
For example, if I go to work in a bank within 4 weeks, that doesn't count and I still get my redundancy money, but if I were to get a job in another school or local government, then it is seen as continous service IYSWIM, and I don't get the money.
In my case though, they won't pay the money until 4 weeks after leaving so they'll know if I work in same type of job again.

If you're not sure what counts, give your local authority/council's HR department a ring to clarify. I would think it would be similar to me if you're in the UK.

Sorry you're going through this though, it's crap! I'm just coming to the end of 5 months of stress and uncertainty!

Kanga - Are you in England? Was your redundancy pay more than statutory? Were you paid notice you didn't have to work?

What saphhire says makes sense, if you get another job in school or LG and it counts as continuous service, then effectively you have not been made redundant, but offered an alternative job.

Check out the ACAS website, they have some helpful guidance on these things, or go to Citizen's Advice.