Help - work - redundancy

[sykes]

Just been told I have a meeting with head of HR and one of my MDs tomorrow. It's, I'm sure, the initial stages of working towards redundancy. I would REALLY appreciate some advice on how to approach this. It's not a suprise - my private company was taken over by a plc last year and I've guessed it's been on the cards. Questions are: have had lots of personal issues in the last year - h left, my mother died. I believe I may have underperformed - not massively but to some degree. Doubt underperformance will be brought up but if it is do I refer to these? My firm knows all about them. What's my bargaining position - have been here for eight years, now at director level. I was approached by a headhunter who has my CV for a specific job. IF I am made redundant (reckon it's 80/20%) and accepted a job as the process was going on is this illegal? Thanks for any advice - particularly HR/legal/those with experience.

Good luck, sykes - missed this yesterday - hope you get the other job and it's wonderful!

good luck sykes. IME redundancies at director level often lead on to others in the company, so if the worst happens, you probably won't be the only one to go.

I have been made redundant and it is painful at times, even if you hate the job and loathe your boss (as I did). I think it's a good idea to listen more than talk in the first meeting - and don't imply that you agree with anything they say to you. You might decide to negotiate or challenge them on something later on.

Ask questions, but don't give too much away. I was asked if the news came as a surprise to me! What a cheek! What good can it possibly do me for the company to know my innermost thoughts.

You will have plenty of opportunity during the redundancy process to ask questions. Wishing you lots of luck and hope that other job possibility is the first of many.

Thanks, Tigermoth. Have another meeting scheduled for 10:30 this morning.

Sykes, I'm really sorry - I don't know how I missed this. Hope your meeting went okay.

In terems of what you can do - you can, of course, ask them what package they are prepared to offer you if you opt to leave without the full consultation and notice period and negotiate up from that. You could wait a bit and ask for a package at a later stage in the proceedings - once you are certain you have a job in hand.

If you find a job during the notice period then you can give counter-notice to leave early and unless they have very good reason for holding you to the original notice, they will have to accept the counter-notice and give you the redundancy pay. This is the least favourable option as they only have to give you statutory redundancy pay and no obligation to pay the unworked notice pay.
All the best,

sis

Thanks. Now have to do a presentation - knew this would happen. Will be extremely p'd off if it's just a soft soap. Doubt it as they're very busy people and five board members taking the time out if there's no hope would be silly. In the interim I'm meeting the business development director.

Sorry to hear this Sykes, am also being made redundant at the mo. I negotiated a good deal though so go for it. Do you know why they've selected you for redundancy? They might be on very dodgy ground here if they aren't making other people at your level/in your area of the business redundant - might give you more bargaining power.

eddm - my position is unique. Think a few others MAY follow. Well done on a good settlement.

thinking of you sykes - hope the meetings weren't too nasty.