redundancy/job change question

[oldmacdonaldeieio]

Hello all, would really appreciate any thoughts/advice on the following:

I currently cover a large geographical area for my employer, because we've been so successful the workload/line management is potentially becoming too large for one person. One potential way forward is to split my job in half and have two managers, doing the same job, covering each half (I would be one of those people).
My question is whether this should be a redundancy situation? My role will no longer exist and instead there will be two new roles- I thought that would be make it a redundancy situation?

Grateful for any advice, thanks.

But it sounds like the same role, just covering a different area? How much of the job description would be different?

Are you wishing redundancy?

Have you read your contract? Normally this is permitted. It's the same job, just they are saying one person can't do it all. Which is fair.

Yes, hoping for redundancy :)

I think that was obvious tbh!

Your job still exists, so much so that another identical one has been created to cope with the increased workload. Your job is not redundant. Quite the opposite.

Well as much as your job isn't redundant, I would simply ask them if they will be willing to look at it for you.

How many years have you been there? They may be willing to let you leave and give you a small payment. I think it's a week for every year.

Why not just quit though, is it the money?

They're not making you redundant. They're creating another of the same post. You have zilch chance of a redundancy payout unless there's a dripfeed of information to come.

I usually agree with Bluntness but really don't on this occasion. Please don't even ask for a redundancy in this instance. And as I said above, unless you're missing out relevant info you're on a hiding to nothing here.

I'm a big believer in you don't know things until you're told but your manager will think that you're either taking the piss or an idiot.

Thanks for all the replies.
We've just been through a merger and to be honest I'm a little sick of the place. I was hoping I could take redundancy and then look for something else (which I'm doing anyway). I've worked hard and been successful and there are other options than taking away a national role from me- it feels a bit like a demotion. Probably being silly but it's how i feel.

This does not address the redundancy issue but more the perceived demotion point.

If the job has got bigger in terms of geography, is there any reason why they have a create a equivalent manager role and split the geographical coverage in 2, rather than allow you to hire a subordinate that reports to you?

The definition of redundancy is a diminished need for the role - this is an increased need for the role! It's a restructuring/growth. If the workload is too big and a geographical area is large, then two covering a defined area each is very sensible, and not a demotion.

Don't ask for redundancy, unless they are desperate to get rid of you I can't think of any reason they'd do that. They'd probably say if you're not happy you are free to resign!

Thanks everyone. I knew really that it wasn't a redundancy situation, I suppose! They definitely won't offer me redundancy if I ask for it so will just stay til I find something else.

If it is a merger, who knows, the redundancy may come later or the organisation may be more open to it. Sometimes, they let the roles settle first and then when the picture is clearer, start the cuts in the overlapping roles.