Go full time or be made redundant - can they do that?

[PuppyMonkey]

I currently work four days a week - my employer agreed to my request for flexible working when I had DD2 six years ago.

Myself and three colleagues have now been told our jobs are to be made redundant and we are all being asked to apply for just TWO new roles. The duties of the new roles will be fairly similar to what we do now, except the new roles are both full time.

However, the new positions also involve weekend working (we've been told this will be every third weekend "or probably less.") and if we are on the rota to work weekends, we will be doing a different job to the one we normally do. Trying not to be indiscreet here so don't want to give too many details away. It would be something akin to a situation where my job is normally to help run the women's clothing department of a large department store, but if I have to work the weekends, I will be on the tills in the food hall. Sort of.

I've had my first redundancy consultation meeting this week where all this was explained to me. I was told they would not be able to agree to a flexible working request for either of the new roles, although a job share might be possible (but as it turns out, none of the other colleagues would be willing to do a job share with me anyway).

I really do not want to work weekends. I really do not want to work full time. I've told them this and asked them if there are any other jobs available, there aren't. I've worked there nine years, but was with the company for several years previously too. My connection with the business probably goes back nearly 25 years. I'm for the chop aren't I?

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So there are only 2 jobs going between 4 people? How many of the 4 people will agree to the new employment terms? I suspect that the 2 that do will be offered the jobs. If your employer is operating the legal redundancy process. I doubt there is much you can do. Im not a lawyer but have been in the op's position

Nobody has agreed to new terms yet. Those that are interested have to apply for the jobs and go for an interview too.

As part of this they should have explained why they propose to make these changes; what the business need is that will be met by this restructuring. If you can think of another way to meet that need that would be better for you, you should put that forward.

Thanks Flowery. Yes they've explained the business need I suppose. It's just I feel I can't/don't want to be pushed to do weekends and full time - wasn't sure if it was legal that they should force me to. Guess in going to be made redundant then

Is it better to apply and try to keep the job then look for something else more suitable? Do you have someone who can help with the dc on the weekends you need to work? Will the redundancy be good enough to keep you going until you can find something?

Shitty position to be in

Well, although it may feel like it, they are not forcing you to, as there is the option of redundancy.

If you feel there is no genuine redundancy situation, or an unfair selection process, or they have not consulted properly, you can appeal if you are made redundant.

But ultimately as long as they follow a legal process they are allowed to make business decisions about their staffing needs, and it sounds like they need/want fewer staff and also have a need for weekend cover, and this is the solution they are proposing to meet that need. If you can think of some alternatives you must put them forward but ultimately, depending on how much you want to keep a job, it may well boil down to working FT and some weekends or taking redundancy.

Could you do a job share with one of the other potentially redundant people?