Other people's reactions when they know you're being made redundant...

[escaping]

Long story, but loads of change at workplace, and several people at risk of redundancy - me included.

Strangely, I find have mixed feelings:

1. It's actually fab news, because I was planning to resign in March anyway and go freelance(part of larger 'family plan' which DH & I have been mapping out for nearly 12 months), and now I will walk away with about £35k tax free But...
2. I am finding the 'process' really hard... I haven't told them I was planning to resign 'cos I don't want to negatively influence any potential negotiating position I may have, AND I am actually concerned about the manner in which individuals have been 'selected' - there seems to rather to many inconsistencies in the 'process' i.e. 'jobs to the boys' (literally, in some cases!) - but although I, and others, suspect something untoward, it would, of course, be difficult to prove..

At the moment I hate being at work 'cos I don't want people saying how sorry they feel for me etc - I can't seem to find the right set of words, without it seeming that I'm trying to put on a brave face - I can't imagine anyone believing me if I said, "Oh, it's OK, I was going to leave anyway..."

I can't decide whether to question the process a bit more, out of principle, or whether to just smile sweetly and get the hell out of there asap.

i welcomed my redundancy. i was sick of the job and ready to move on. i also knew i was going to take six months off and go backpacking in teh UK w/the money - turned out to be 4 years and counting .

all of the folks made redundant w/me were pretty pleased - some even had other jobs to go to.

When I was made redundant I was over the moon I had secretly been going through the interview process for another position and the day I had my final redundancy meeting to confirm the payment amount I got offered the new job I was told I could leave work straight away if I wanted (as my redundancy was due to relocation so no point me staying on) but still be paid for my 4 weeks notice and took 5 weeks holiday pay and my redundancy pay and then started a new job 2 weeks later

BossyKate - I think I just have a strong moral sense which make me want to 'fight' if I genuinely believe foul play is at work - yes, it would be interesting to know 'why me', but that stuff very rarely comes out properly, and is usually largely based on old loyalties/ behind the scenes 'deals' etc.

Soapbox - I thought there were some elements within redundancy legislation which meant that had to be fair process in the recuitment of people to new roles for which more than one candidate may be eligible?

Just to clarify - in her new role, there will be more of my 'old' team reporting into H than his/hers - the company will try to argue that it's not a 'new' role, just an 'extension' of the old, yet it has:

• a new job title
• a new jobdescription
• higher grade
• at least 50% new content

In other parts of the business it has been claimed that one of the principles of the re-organisation is that where a new role is created, at a higher grade, even if it contains elements of the 'old' role, then it will be posted for applications. So, it feels as if a precedent has been set?

Escaping - it is quite complex, but there is a term called 'bumped' redundancy where effectively the job itself is not made redundant but the contents of the job is 'bumped' onto someone else, making a vacancy for redundancy elsewhere in the organisation. Your situation is a hybrid of that I think.

If you are interested in pursueing things, then go an have a consultation with an expert employment solicitor - most of the big city firms have them. They will be able to base their advice on the precise circumstances of your case.

Thanks Soapbox

Just out of interest, are you a lawyer yourself? (without wanting to risk and W&R discussions!!)

No! I'm an accountant but I took my ex-employer to a tribunal - would never do it again!!! It was a sh*t experience!!!!! And I got a load of money out of it too and I still wouldn;t do it again!

But I am not you and you may well have a different experience - so if you feel like you can take a punt on it - go for it!

TBH, I wouldn't want to go as far as a tribunal - I have been the 'colleague' for a friend of mine who went through one and even I had sleepless nights about it at the time - horrnedous.

I guess I am just currently seeing if there is enough evidence of 'inconsistencies/ questionable behaviour' for me to use in the negotiating process...

I know to some people it might sound 'greedy', but as someone said to me, at the end of the day, it's just yet another 'business' transaction, and they are all negotiable...

Get a good employment lawyer then - they will negotiate for you!

As there are more than 20 redundancies, the DTI has to be informed and the company has to consult with employee representatives. The reps job is to make sure the process is clear and fair, that selection criteria are objective, and to ask awkward questions. If the redundancy is functional (eg closing down a location altogether, or closing a department) then there is no selection process. In your case the company appears to have selected the other manager. You are entitled to know the selection critera and your score (but not anybody else's score), and you have the right to appeal. Without all of this, the redundancy process may be unfair. However I am still not clear what you hope to get out of it. Perhaps you could fight to be considered for the new role, but apparently you want to leave anyway.

I guess that like anybody, I don't want to feel like I've been shafted! The fact that I want to leave anyway is irrelevant. I want to feel that there has been fair process and selection, but I don't.
I suppose I feel that the company ought to be held to account for its actions - both for me and for other team members. If they can be shown not to have acted fairly than I would expect to be compensated for the impact this has had on me?