I am BU to feel a bit [hmm] about this?

[DuzzyFuck]

Popping this in work instead of AIBU as it's work related and not very interesting, but ultimately do want to know if I'm BU.

The industry I work in has been badly affected by Covid and back in September we were put on redundancy warning, with a me and a colleague in our team of 5 both being 'at risk'. Basically they wanted to combine both of our roles into one.

I immediately threw my hat in the ring and volunteered to go. I've been here a long time and a change would probably do me good, I could afford a few months off if necessary, plus I had no interest at all in taking on the new combined role.

The whole process rolled on, another member of our team left organically, a specialist role we're recruiting for has been reduced to part-time and I was advised a few weeks ago that my role is no longer at risk and our team would largely continue as 'normal'.

Yet today I've found out that the colleague who was also 'at risk' will in fact be taking voluntary redundancy. I know full well that once she's gone the greater portion of her responsibilities will come my way, and I'll end up doing the combined role I didn't want by default anyway.

AIBU to be a bit at all this? I'm prepared to be told that I am, I've never been in this situation before so don't really know the protocol but I feel as if I've been backed into a corner. People in other teams are being made redundant too and I feel very uncomfortable that I've been kept on reluctantly while others are devastated to lose their jobs.

To add obviously I am already seeking another job as I'd made my mind up to go when I offered to, but the market isn't exactly fantastic at the moment.

[DuzzyFuck]

And obviously the title should read AM I rather than I AM.

(unless I am, obviously).

[TokyoSushi]

Yes, I think unfortunately that's exactly what will happen, you will end up taking on the combined role. I suppose the only positive is that you're obviously very good which is why they likely didn't want you to go. Perhaps just wait until things have settled a bit and then move on.

[Carolines100]

When ever there is any redundancies, there should be a transparent process as to how it was decided who was at risk, who will need to apply for roles and who will automatically go.

It maybe that you have longer service, higher previous performance rating etc then the other person in your team (just a couple of the ways it can be decided).

You are within your rights to ask how the decision has been made but unfortunately unless that an unfair basis or you don't think it has been followed properly then there isn't much you can do about it.

[DrDavidBanner]

Unfortunately I think this will happen a lot and you won't be the only one.

I was made redundant in July, as with you it was between me and another colleague but she had more years service. She ended up taking on both of our roles, a new project and shadowing another colleagues role. Recently I found out she's left there and doing something else completely. I don't know who is taking up the slack now but quite frankly the way they treated both of us was a disgrace and I hope it bites them on the bum.

I'm sorry, I have no advice for you but you do have my sympathy. Its a shitty thing to do

[Twizbe]

They don't want you to go. That's the tough thing about voluntary redundancies. It's rarely the people you want to go who offer themselves up.

[DuzzyFuck]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it probably comes down to the fact that colleague who is going is close to retirement age, and I'm very much not so I guess they think they'll get more years from me.

It is what it is anyway, and not only am I looking for another job I'm also TTC so will hopefully be out of here one way or another before too long! (I hope it's for the latter reason really, my misogynist of an MD dislikes nothing more than Women having the audacity to bear children, I think I'd enjoy telling him he's going to have to pay me not to be here one way or another ).

[maxelly]

Unfortunately (as an HR person) this is the way it tends to go with voluntary redundancy schemes - you open up the opportunity to apply (as is only right, to avoid compulsory redundancies) and then a flood of people you really don't want to let go immediately volunteer, and quite often the ones you wouldn't mind seeing the back of don't! Or maybe that's just the rubbish places I've worked at! It's as tricky and sometimes more contentious IMO delivering the 'bad news' that someone who wants to leave doesn't get their redundancy package than it is someone who would prefer to stay having to go.

As you are clearly competent, hard-working, able and long-serving you would probably have been their last choice and they prefer the cheaper and easier option of letting your colleague take the VR and giving her work to you. Sorry but that is how it goes and no-one is entitled to VR however much they want to leave unfortunately! Id focus on leaving asap by other means as you have said as it certainly doesn't sound a very nice atmosphere!

[williowrosenburg]

@maxelly

Unfortunately (as an HR person) this is the way it tends to go with voluntary redundancy schemes - you open up the opportunity to apply (as is only right, to avoid compulsory redundancies) and then a flood of people you really don't want to let go immediately volunteer, and quite often the ones you wouldn't mind seeing the back of don't! Or maybe that's just the rubbish places I've worked at! It's as tricky and sometimes more contentious IMO delivering the 'bad news' that someone who wants to leave doesn't get their redundancy package than it is someone who would prefer to stay having to go.

As you are clearly competent, hard-working, able and long-serving you would probably have been their last choice and they prefer the cheaper and easier option of letting your colleague take the VR and giving her work to you. Sorry but that is how it goes and no-one is entitled to VR however much they want to leave unfortunately! Id focus on leaving asap by other means as you have said as it certainly doesn't sound a very nice atmosphere!

It's funny as at my last company this really back fired!!
They put 3 staff under redundancy notice, but only one would eventually be let go. We all knew who that person would be.... or at least who the company were really aiming to let.
Except one of the 3 decided he didn't want to be part of it so fell on his sword.... he quit! We all thought he was mad as was only a few months away from his bonus and he could've just waited for the company to decide.... the shitter was he was really excellent at his job!! Worked long hours etc, good team member. Whereas the one they wanted gone was a huge liability!!

Got rid of everyone eventually.


Anyway OP, with any luck you'll be out of there on paid maternity leave soon which will be much better! 😄