Voluntary redundancy issue?!?

[Em1503]

Hi all, the school I work in (I'm a teacher) are making cuts and have asked anybody who would like to take voluntary redundancy to come forward before it goes to compulsory redundancy.

I am not happy in the job and have wanted to hand my notice in for a long time! I'm also pregnant so if the voluntary package offer was better than maternity pay I would seriously consider it.

However, I don't want to make it known to the school that I am considering it as if it doesn't happen then they will know I want to leave, which I don't want unless I'm actually going to. (Expected to show passion and commitment to the job and all that!)

How then do I find out what the voluntary package would be???

I would have thought that the fact that you are pregnant is a good reason for you to be considering your options and to enquire about the package. I don't see that as lack of commitment or not liking your job

Isn't it usual for them to make the package known when they ask for volunteers, the package being the incentive to volunteer?

I understand not wanting to tell them you're considering it, especially as you're pregnant. It might give the message that you don't intend to return after ML. However, you're going to have to tell them before you know. If you apply, you might not be successful and end up staying anyway.

Someone might need to corroborate this, but if you gave worked there for 26 consecutive weeks you will get the maternity pay as well! even if you take the redundancy package I believe? (Obviously it would be the basic SMP, 90% for 6 weeks and then the basic rate)

I'd ask them what the package is, so you can make an informed decision, given that your circumstances will be changing anyway.

Thanks for the replies. Yes I believe I'll get either smp or maternity allowance but need to work out if the package is worth not having a job to go back to after maternity leave if I don't want to. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and ask. Don't people worry that if they put themselves forward but don't get selected then it looks like they don't really want to be there?

You would be entitled to SMP providing you meet the qualifying criteria, regardless of whether you then leave as fantastic says. Is there a policy anywhere that might detail the package? I don't think many people wouldn't want to know what the package is, even if they hadn't considered leaving before. Have you worked there long - that will make a difference to any payment you might receive.

Sorry didn't see your reply before posting. You can reduce risk of this perception by explaining you really hadn't considered leaving before, and if aren't selected will remain fully committed to your role. It just gives you an opportunity to spend more time with your baby when they are born. I would bear in mind though that it is often easier to get part time hours when you are in a role, than to find a part time job (you could suggest part time hours after your maternity leave as an alternative to redundancy). And also it might be less scary to return to a job you know after being out of the working world for a year, than starting a brand new job.

Unless you're an academy or independent then the LEA HR would be responsible for providing redundancy estimates, confidentially. I don't think anyone would make a negative judgement about you asking what your entitlement would be.