Redundant no consultation

[footballmumhum]

After 9 years with a business, I've been told my role is redundant and offered a settlement agreement.
I'm devastated as I love my job and colleagues, it works with the kids' school times, I've given my heart and soul and am currently TTC so need the maternity pay.
I was in shock when I was told (just called into a meeting) and just accepted what was happening. Was then sent the offer by email but haven't yet responded.
I haven't agreed to anything, it's just so sudden but everyone's been told I've gone and a new structure announced that I'm not in.
Can they do this? I thought I had to be offered other job options (which I'd take just for the maternity) but don't know if this is different because they've offered settlement.
I will see a solicitor but money is already right so a bit worried about spending.
Any help would be great. Thanks

I'm in the public sector, processes are very slow indeed. Our restructure is by voluntary redundancy, ie settlement agreement, only, no compulsory due to agreement with the union, but some staff have been told they had to take it as there was nothing in the way of other roles for them (these were more specialised staff). I haven't been given a time limit and have made it clear that I want to stay, however I'll probably need to take on a fixed term at a grade lower on pay protection for 12 months, and that will buy me time. After that, who knows!

When my ex husband was finished at work due to having MS & being unable to carry on in his old role, they told him to go to an employment solicitor of his choice & paid all the bills for them to negotiate the compromise agreement, they didn't have to do this as he had only been back working there for less than 2 years, having previously worked there, been made redundant, worked somewhere else & then been offered his old job back to replace someone who was retiring.

they didn't have to do this as he had only been back working there for less than 2 years

They would have weighed up the risk. Your ex had MS. That would/could be deemed as a disability, and therefore a characteristic that your husband could have used to suggest it was a factor in the “redundancy” decision making process. It probably wasn’t but an SA protects the company from such claims.

Hope your ex got a good deal out of it.