Please help. Need some advice re at risk letter

[Mumtorobbie]

Due to a restructure in my department I am now facing redundancy.

I received the at risk letter on Friday but have been signed off for two weeks due to anxiety relating to the restructure.

In the letter HR have organised a formal at risk meeting this Wednesday but I am so poorly I can't attend it.

I have no interest in playing the system but if I am too unwell to attend will the redundancy process not start until I attend the formal meeting?

I am not playing for time as I won't get any redundancy pay anyway as I've not worked there for 2 years.

I will make every effort to attend when I'm well enough but my GP has advised I need to take steps to avoid any anxiety at the moment.

I don't think you being unwell and unable to attend this week will change the situation - it might delay the process, that's all.

The organisation may decide to reschedule the meeting which is probably the most straightforward option if you're planning to be well again soon, or they might decide to start the process in your absence, leaving you to put forward any objections.

In any case, if you're not well, then the best thing you can do is look after yourself and focus on that for the time being.

I tend to worry excessively and I found this book really helpful: www.amazon.co.uk/Worry-Steps-Worrying-Start-Living-ebook/dp/B00ZGC8842

Take care and get well soon x

That's essentially what I want to know. If I am unable to go into work for the at risk meeting this week, will I be made redundant a week later so in effect I will get an extra week's pay?

The redundancy has come completely out of the blue because we were assured we'd all keep our jobs and the process was a formality so an extra weeks pay will be very useful if I am unable to find another job in the next month.

I used to work in HR but it was a long time ago so my advice could be out of date.

However, in this situation, and many similar others, meetings would go ahead in your absence, you can submit your comments and they should either send you the minutes of the meeting or the relevant outcomes afterward.

Sorry you are not feeling well, I hope you feel better soon.

They won't necessarily delay it due to your absence because you do not have the ability to claim unfair dismissal in any event due to your length of service.
They will probably be told just to proceed in your absence unless they think there is a risk you might have another claim such as discrimination.

Thanks both. I thought that would be the case ie the process would go ahead whether I attend the meeting or not.

Tbh, I just want it over and done with as I am keen to chalk it up to experience and move on but it's hard. I feel very betrayed and hurt by the way I have been treated.

atticus it's interesting you should say that because I believe I have been made redundant due to having small children but I have no way of proving it.

I have been let go because officially my role was made more senior but in a meeting with my manager I was advised not to go for it because I have young children and the role would be very stressful.

Of course I've got no way of proving it because it's his word against mine.

Redundancy is a bruising process for all involved. I've been on both sides. Horrible. The employer has to make reasonable efforts to include absent employees and this could be arranging to see you at home or including you in documented accounts of meetings. It's not likely that absence will delay the process or buy you any time or pay.

You have to look at it that the job is being made redundant, not you as a person. The company has to go through an objective process. I know that there are always ways of cheating the system and some companies are guilty of that. I've also found that once companies start to restructure then it's likely there will be a few other "restructures" along the way. If you found this one so stressful that you have had to take 2 weeks absence then you are probably better out of it.

It's tempting to look for malicious motives but it's probably not personal. You have less than two years service, the company is changing, fewer people are needed. Focus instead on looking at securing a role in a good company that is right for you.

Good luck in finding something quickly.