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Original poster

DH has been offered to be made redundant today...

21 replies

quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:30

He has been working for this comapny for 1 year and a half, 5 months ago, he got a new boss...since then his life has been really hard, this guy was really a bully and almost push my dh towards nervous breakdow, this morning my dh had a disciplinary meeting and they offered him to go with 3 month salaries. He's going to accept, I think it's the best to do but cant help to be scared...anyone has been in this situation ?

OP posts:
Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:35

Please ?

OP posts:
improvingslowly · 03/08/2007 18:38

would he be able to find something else he likes within a reasonable time scale?

meandmyflyingmachine · 03/08/2007 18:40

Not quite the same, but DH did take a voluntary redundancy once. He found a job within a month and it all worked out very well for us. But yes, it was a bit scary at the time. I was a SAHM, but found a job 'just in case'. Which also worked out pretty well, and I enjoyed it.

How is the job market in his field?

Desiderata · 03/08/2007 18:41

I would take the redundancy and the three months salary. If another job is found quickly, this is a cash lump sum that you could use to some advantage.

What type of job is it?

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:43

Thank you for your replies ! He's a project manager..I'm worried because I'm in maternity leave...I'm chocked but I'm more upset by the fact my dh has been treated badly by this arsehole..

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TequilaMockinBird · 03/08/2007 18:46

I did this approx. 3 years ago now.

I'd been working for my employer for 6 years when a new manager was brought in. This new manager was what can only be described as a bully and was an absolute nightmare to work for!

To cut a long story short, I put in a formal grievance about her etc. etc. and the company were unwilling to do anything about the situation. What they said was that they classed this as a 'personality clash' and offered me 4 months salary plus bonus and my 3 weeks holiday pay upfront if I wanted to leave their employment. They said that this was a gesture of goodwill because of my length of service etc. but really I knew they wanted me to just go and keep my mouth shut!

I was fortunate in that I was in an Account Manager role for this company and one of my clients had already offered me a job with them because they knew I was fed up!

Unless it will be easy for him to get another job then I would be cautious about him taking this offer. It's always easier to get another job whilst you still have one IYKWIM.

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:49

Well he thinks it's going to be alright but I'm just wondering what he is going to say on interview to the question, why did you leave your last job ?

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Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:51

The term used was "leaving by mutual consent" so do you think it's going to be alright for him to find a job with this reason to give to a potential employer ?

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Desiderata · 03/08/2007 18:53

I'm sorry that you're upset about dh. There are some buggers out there, but try not to dwell. Your dh is obviously unhappy where he is, so the redundancy money is a good enough springboard for elsewhere.

Project managers, generally speaking, can be vulnerable to redundancy. I don't think your dh needs to explain himself too much. He was made redundant .. that's that. He has no obligation to go into it any further.

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:56

so there is some hope after redundancy..I really hope so because I'm very very scared

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TequilaMockinBird · 03/08/2007 18:57

I was quite fortunate in that I wasnt asked that question!

However, I would've probably said something along the lines of "there weren't a lot of opportunities for career progression" or words to that effect. Companies tend to like people who are career minded and know where they want to go etc IME.

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 18:59

TequilaMockinBird - well this position was not offering other opportunities, he wanted to leave but he wanted to get another job first, but he goes back there his boss is going to be on his case, my dh is professional, comitted and he's nice and this guy is a shark...

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Desiderata · 03/08/2007 19:06

Don't be scared, baguette. You know that something always turns up, and even in the worse case scenario, you will get temporary help from the state. You've paid your taxes and you're entitled.

Is your dh sufficiently feisty to insist that the wording is redundancy rather than 'leaving by mutual consent?'

Can he not approach the Personnel Dept? After all, if a woman had been bullied in this way, it would be a given.

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 19:17

Desiderata - well is better to say that you have been made redundant or that you have left by mutual consentment ? The human ressources was at the meeting this morning nad she didnt say much, I dont think my dh will find the strenght to go to see her and admit he has been bullied..he just want a fresh start.

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TequilaMockinBird · 03/08/2007 19:24

baguette, its awful when this happens. There are some nasty people out there in senior positions and why the companies can't see right through them is beyond me!

I really feel for your dh as I know what it's like working for one of these sharks!

I agree with Desiderata - he should try and get them to change the wording to 'redundancy'.

meandmyflyingmachine · 03/08/2007 19:24

He should ask for a neutral reference "Mr Baguette was employed in the role of Project Manager between X and Y". Many companies only give that kind of reference anyway. It shouldn't raise any eyebrows.

flowerybeanbag · 03/08/2007 19:30

quiveut it's not a bad offer actually as he's only been there 18 months.
If he accepts it he needs to ensure he gets a compromise agreement, this is not really a redundancy situation, they are offering him a lump sum in return for his resignation so he needs to have a formal agreement stating that, and agreeing various other things.
This is quite normal so nothing to worry about. If he gets a compromise agreement his employers have to pay for him to get it checked by an independent solicitor to make sure it is fair and legal.
Something else which is often included as part of a compromise agreement is an agreed wording for any reference which is requested by a future employer, and as part of that it is possible they can agree something suitable that your DH can say when asked why did he leave previous employment which will also be reflected on a reference.
His solictor will advise him about all this and make sure the agreement and reference etc he gets is fair.

So, important thing is that if he would like to accept this, he needs to ask for a compromise agreement, then as I say take it to a solicitor which his employers must pay for, and which will ensure he gets a reasonable agreement.

Of course he doesn't have to accept it, but they are offering it because they want rid of him, so his work life is not likely to improve if he stays, he may find himself going through all sorts of disciplinary procedures etc instead, so he should consider it at least.

Hope that helps

Desiderata · 03/08/2007 19:48

Oh, I'm sorry, baguette. I wrote a long reply, but ds is very sick at the moment with a tummy bug .. my flat is completely covered in pooh and sick!

I'll get back to you when I can: this is just to let you know I'm thinking of you!

ElenyaTuesday · 03/08/2007 20:11

baguette, my dh is going through something similar now, although his boss is determined to sack him (not because he has done anything wrong - it's a total personality clash!). Dh has just had a disciplinary meeting but he has to wait to hear what his boss plans to do next. It is such a nightmare!

Interesting post, flowerybeanbag - I must look into that.

Original poster
quiveutmabonnebaguette · 03/08/2007 21:29

Thank you all for your kind emails,flowerybeanbag , my dh is going to see a solicitor after we come back from holiday. I'll tell him to be really careful with the wording, thank you for now and I'll keep you updated..thank you all

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chocolatekimmy · 03/08/2007 22:17

This isn't redundancy, they want to pay him to go away and not pursue a claim. They would have to do a compromise agreement as flowery said.

Technically he could claim constructive dismissal at this point as they have fundamentally breached the implied contractual term of mutual trust and confidence. By saying we want you to go, heres an offer of £xxxx. Basically they are saying clear off and keep your mouth shut - hardly the basis of a trustworthy contract between the two.

To be honest, with the length of service it wouldn't be beneficial to pursue such a claim, he wouldn't get much financially for an unfair dismissal plus there is the stress of the claim and the fact that it is hard to prove that sort of claim (onus is on you).

Three months sounds reasonable for that length of service - does it cover all remuneration such as any bonus, medical insurance etc - you may be able to get a bit extra

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