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Original poster

I got made redundant today - Merry sodding Christmas

39 replies

galaxy · 10/11/2005 19:58

How shit is this?

Went through hell last year in my old job and came out with a settlement from them. Started new job on March 1st, put my heart and soul and most of my alleged leisure time into working on a major tender for them for the first 6 months.

We lost the tender because we were too expensive (not my fault or an area I had any input into). Saw my boss on Monday and had my objectives set for the next 6 months...no hint of job losses. Took Tuesday off for dd's birthday and got asked to be in the office today, which I did to be told I was being made redundant due to too many people in team and am now on 3 month's garden leave.

I feel sick and let down. The person who I replaced came back in May and has just had her temporary contract renewed and I get dismissed. It sucks and I am so angry.

On the plus side, I got an interview for a similar role on MOnday afternoon after 1 phone call.

I'm worried sick though. We have just taken an extra £10k on our mortgage and the redundancy insurance I took out doesn't cover being made unemployed within the 1st sixty days of taking out the policy.

Life sucks

OP posts:
Twiglett · 10/11/2005 20:00

that sucks

good luck with interview

gardening leave for 3 months would mean you're still employed though, wouldn't it?

pedilia · 10/11/2005 20:00

oh s**t. you poor thing.

HRHWickedwaterwitch · 10/11/2005 20:01

Sorry Galaxy, that is crap. Good luck with the interview.

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:07

Yes Twiglett - I called HR and told them that sucks and I want to be released and they are thinking about it. That would mean they would have to pay me my company car allowance as part of the settlement which would cost them more than leaving me in my car.

OP posts:
sis · 10/11/2005 20:07

Oh galaxy, I'm so very sorry about this.

When did you take out the redundancy insurance policy? Can you talk to the company about extending your employment fo a few weeks? To be honest, I suspect you won't need to use the policy as you will be snapped up really quickly by another employer.

rickshaw · 10/11/2005 20:08

Oh Galaxy, that's just awful - poor you. I hope the interview goes well and that you end up with a fantastic job that you stay in for ages. It sounds as though you could use some luck!
Do you lose the insurance if you are given notice within 60 days or only if your employment actually ends within 60 days? If the latter, then you should be OK, because the garden leave period should take you over the 60 days. Just a thought.

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:08

Thanks sis. I only took the policy out on the 19th October so work wont extend my date for any time.

OP posts:
Nightynight · 10/11/2005 20:09

oh no, redundancy is so horrible and twice in one year is just disgusting. It is not your fault - companies are using redundancy so casually these days.
Hopefully you should be able to get another job within 3 months?
Not very festive at the moment though!

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:09

rickshaw - it's if you're given notice unfortunately

OP posts:
sis · 10/11/2005 20:14

I'm not sure how these policies work - do they not apply if you are given notice of redundancy within sixty days? What does the small print say? You don't have to take the three months notice, you could ask your employer not to give you notice and that you will agree, after 16th December to leave with only one month's notice.

Although, of course your energy would be better used to get another job, which, as I said, I am sure you will get really quickly.

BTW, I hope your dd had a good birthday - it is ds's birthday tomorrow and he has the most awful cough that keeps waking him up.

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:16

sis - It definitely says if notice given within 60 days but like an idiot, I phoned and cancelled it today to stop the next direct debit going out so I've blown any chance of getting a payment now. Like you say, I just need to concentrate on getting a new job.

Fingers crossed

OP posts:
bran · 10/11/2005 20:18

That's just rotten Galaxy. You deserve much better. I hope the job of your dreams comes along very soon.

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:19

dd had a lovely birthday thanks. We went down to Portsmouth to the Sealife centre and then to Yellow River for a Chinese lunch. Picked up my mum and back to ours for a traditional birthday tea followed by pass the parcel and pin tail on the doknkey. She got her 1st bike for her birthday from us and a scooter from my mum. She's having her party on Saturday at a soft play place.

Sorry to hear ds has a cough - sure it wont spoil his birthday! Happy birthday to him for tomorrow

OP posts:
Gobbledigook · 10/11/2005 20:19

Oh Galaxy what a nightmare. I remember all the stress you went through in your last job and this just takes the biscuit.

Tons and tons of luck on Monday - I hope it all works out for you.

winnie · 10/11/2005 20:19

Oh Galaxy, I am sorry, no advice but just wanted to say that does indeed suck... thinking of you

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:20

Thanks Bran

OP posts:
rickshaw · 10/11/2005 20:21

That's a shame Galaxy. Is there any bargaining to be done with your employers, do you think? (e.g amending your notice period to 1 week then giving you notice in 2.5 month's time). Most employer's wouldn't go near this sort of thing as to them it seems dodgy but I wonder if it's worth a go?
Hope things work out for you.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 10/11/2005 20:21

Oh Galaxy that is shite.

rickshaw · 10/11/2005 20:23

Oh gosh, sorry - just saw that you cancelled the policy...actually I think that's the best thing because any chance of a deal with your employers would be remote and you're better off saving the money.

Original poster
galaxy · 10/11/2005 20:36

Oh and forgot to say that Tuesday night, we booked a £1500 holiday and now I'm panicking about money. Something will come up wont it!!??

Spent ages on the net this afternoon looking for appropriate jobs and saw only 2.

OP posts:
edam · 10/11/2005 22:48

Oh Galaxy I am so sorry. Dh got made redundant two weeks ago - actually having his leaving do tonight. It's awful. I went freelance six months ago so feeling very worried right now...

Will be keeping my fingers crossed your interview goes well.

threelittlebabies · 10/11/2005 23:50

Sorry to hear this Galaxy. I am new to mumsnet and in a similar position. Yesterday my DH was sent home mid shift without much explanation. He was absolutely miserable in his job but that's not the point! We don't even know what he will get yet, as we are waiting for a letter. I am on maternity leave, with a ds aged 3 and dd aged 2 months and, of course, reduced pay.

I should be in bed but am looking for jobs for him online. Good luck with your interview!

skinnycow · 11/11/2005 00:19

galaxy - your employer still has to go through the consultation process with you i think otherwise your dismissal is automatically unfair. obviously not necessarily a point which you would want to take to tribunal but may encourage them from seeing things "your way" a bit. Sis or Freckle will be able to advise further though

sunchowder · 11/11/2005 03:33

Sorry to hear this Galaxythey say when one door closes another openseasy to say when standing outside your situation however. Believe in yourself, you will find something quickly--try not to be afraid and let it shake you up. You are great at what you do, believe it! Good luck with the search.

alicatsg · 11/11/2005 07:00

Galaxy - firstly so sorry to hear this, I know from earlier this year that this is a dreadful thing to go through.

secondly - its sounds dodgy as hell. They renewed someone elses temp contract? I'd speak to a lawyer or CAB (and don't forget that the company is usually liable for a chunk of the legal fees). Push to go to compromise agreement, that way you control the agenda.

fingers crossed for the interview for you - something else will come up