At risk of redundancy - does this always mean you’ll go?

[RIPworkingmums]

I work at a small company who have just announced that they are making redundancies. They will be letting us know if we are at risk on Monday (thanks, have a nice weekend!). I am 99% sure one of them will be me, mainly because although I have been there for 12 years, I am currently part time so relatively cheap for them to get rid of and I do the same job as another lady who is full time. I’m currently furloughed and I am sure they’re also aware of how difficult it will be for me to return to work properly in September as I have 2 primary aged children and a toddler.

My question is, if I am one of those ‘at risk’ does that 100% mean I will go? Or is it worth trying to suggest cost saving alternatives (job share with a colleague, reduce my hours further etc) or is this pointless. To be honest with 3 young children I don’t have the energy to fight it but I know I won’t find a similar paying job that works around the kids in the current climate.

I was put at risk last year (while pregnant) we all had consultations and managed to come to a compromise. Mine isn’t a small company. Speak to acas If you’re worried.

You Can definitely suggest other options and to avoid the dismissal being unfair, your employer should properly consider any suggestions.

However, most of the time these things are decided ahead of consultation and go ahead more often than not. There's a bit of hope but probably worth starting to get your head round the worst.

At your meeting, ask about the package including any outplacement support they'll provide to help you find your next job. Try to agree a reference. And throw in anything else (If you don't ask you don't get) - for example could they keep you furloughed until the end of the scheme to give you a bit of time to get looking?

Usually depends if there are opportunities in other roles/departments. I was at "risk of redundancy" in my previous company 4 times over 10 years before it actually happened.

It's worth putting a propsal together, I think it can help. It all depends on business needs, if there are only the 2 of you doing that job can they manage with you doing part time hours if she went?
It's likely they may put both of you at risk and you both reapply for that 1 remaining role, the risk for you is your hours may not be enough to cover the role to they needs, it may need to compromise and increase hours a bit
Fingers crossed for you x

No IT doesn't always mean you'll be made redundant. Normally they will have to put you at risk of redundancy have a consultation period. Tell you how many they are reducing the staff by. Give you the opertunity to apply for any positions still available. Then make the reduncies at the end of the risk period. I've been put at risk a number of times bit never made redundant.

They only officially age to go through the process if it's over a certain number of employees they are wanting to get ride of. But many small employer's seem to go through the process anyway in order to make sure they do everything fairly.

Thanks all. The redundancies are purely cost saving. To be honest the company will struggle without most of us individually and there will be a huge amount of pressure on those left as they divide out roles up between them. What I’m saying is there will be no other roles for me to ‘apply’ for. My colleague has offered to reduce her hours to keep me as she knows full well she will bear the brunt of me leaving. I agree I think the decision is already made, so I’ll have to focus on a good package to keep me going for as long as possible. I’m so annoyed they’re letting us all stew over the weekend! I’ve barely slept!

I believe they are not allowed to discriminate due to you working part time.
Saying that I'm going through redundancy consultation and I agree I do think they have probably already decided .
Be positive it may be that you are both up for redundancy and they keep one part time person , they won't be saving as much as the other person if they got rid of you .
Hope it works out for you .