Redundancy

[schoolcats]

If you were recruiting and somebody applied who had taken voluntary redundancy from a work place where they were going through a compulsory redundancy process what would you think? Would it put you off employing them?

No, why should it? I have been through the process and watched the process happen a few times. In the situations I was in, the whole organisation was being shaken up and for many the restructure was moving in a direction they weren’t happy with so they opted for VC. These examples are all from industry, but can’t see why education would be different.

Surely it is better to jump then wait to be pushed? Which was often the case.

From listening to other people they've been keen to stress that they took voluntary redundancy but others have implied that they only took voluntary redundancy because they knew that they'd be selected for compulsory redundancy.

Personally I'd think good for them for taking the initiative to get out and move on to their next role but others think they are possible not the person to employ in case they were going to be selected for redundancy.

I guess it must depend on the industry. Certainly didn't stop my DH getting a new role, he sat tight to get the best exit package. He had the skills so was snapped up before the ink was dry. I guess it depends on references, it will become clear if the person wasn't up to the role or wasn't a right fit in terms of personality.

When you say selected for redundancy, my understanding is that that isn't related to performance anyway? So, it wouldn't mean they were bad at their job?

There have to be very clear criteria for redundancy , I thought : not 'you're crap; you're up'. Unions wouldn't countenance that.

I expect that there are strict criteria, I've never been through it thankfully but if you've got say 20 teachers and have to make 2 redundant would they try and manage out the two weakest ones - the ones with lowest pupil achievement perhaps?

We're recruiting and some say we shouldn't short list the one who put on his form that he was made redundant (voluntarily) and I think we should.

They might try but it is something in the 'real world' that is sometimes pointed out about teachers : that we are hard to sack !

I think you have to shortlist him on 'safer recruiting' if he meets all the selection criteria.

I shortlisted for headteacher recruitment once and had to have stern words with the selection panel about ageism at one point!!

And definitely if it was voluntary redundancy : he may well have been extracting himself from a toxic situation.

That's my view Piggy, I've done the safer recruitment course and it was fairly clear on there. I have stated my views clearly to the others who were less in agreement.

Always the way! Stick to your guns. At interview it will be clearer if he is a knob!

All the people I know who have been redundant have actually all been good at their jobs. It's been because of downsizing, mergers, company changes etc that they have left.

If they were thinking of leaving anyway and a chance for voluntary redundancy comes up then they're very likely to take that option, especially if it comes with a good payout.

I would be perfectly happy to recruit someone who had been made redundant.

At interview it will be clearer if he is a knob!

Haha, yes!