Making big changes to a role

[boxofissues]

After a bit of advice. In the midst of lots of changes at work at the moment and facing a restructure.

I have a question about making big changes to a job. Can this be done and what are the rules and regs about it? I am worried my role will be substantially downgraded.

At the moment I manage 10 people, who all do different things. They may decided they don't want someone in my role doing that - they might want to split it so there are two or three people managing the same amount of reports.

If this happens, am I under any obligation to take one of these new jobs (that will no doubt be paying less as well as having less responsibility etc)?

Or will I be made redundant from my role? Would I have to apply for one of these jobs? I think I would rather be made redundant.

Or what if they delete my job completely, and create a 'new' one (that sounds very similar ) but is paying a lot less - will I be 'forced' to take that?

(I would like to walk away completely of course but I can't afford to just quit with no job to go to)

I hope that makes sense!

Yes it's perfectly lawful for your company to restructure and make big changes to roles, and possibly redundancies as long as they consult and follow a fair process.

Whether you are under an obligation to accept a different job as a result of the restructuring will depend on whether it would be "suitable" for you. Whether a role is suitable depends on things like terms and conditions being no less favourable and it being suitable for your skills and experience.

If there are fewer jobs and/or different jobs, there is likely to be some kind of selection process. This might involve having to apply or it might involve being scored against various criteria, which could include things like skills and experience but also could involve performance record, disciplinary record or attendance record as well. Your company will need to tell you what selection process/criteria they propose to use and give staff the chance to comment on them/ask questions/propose alternatives.

If you are make compulsorily redundant and your role is still there, it might not be a genuine redundancy.

I think basically you are going to have to wait and see what your company proposes to do and what process they intend to use to get there. Then if you have concerns about it, come back here and/or ask them.

Thanks flowery. I know of course they can restructure etc at will but it's the downgrading thing I think I am most worried about. A new, lower paid job with less responsibility would be 'suitable' for me because I'd have the skills and experience to do it but I wouldn't want to be forced to go for it. I suppose I'm asking if I can insist on redundancy even though they argue there would be a job for me.

You're right though - I need to see what happens and then come back here!

It wouldn't be suitable if it was lower paid though - the definition of suitable is only partly about skills and experience.

Ok thank you - that is helpful.