Can redundancy be requested?

[WhoAmI22]

So I work for an independent business (retail) who has a high street shop and a website that is ran from a different premises. I work in the shop as a sales assistant. My employer also has other, non-related businesses.

I believe the lease for the shop is due to end next year, a few months after I'd be due to return to work after maternity leave. If the lease was not renewed, but I was offered a role within either the online sales or one of the other businesses, could I decline and request redundancy instead?

Not usually if there is another role in the company that you could be suitable for. Unless they wanted to reduce staff numbers.

If your role is made redundant you can be offered an alternative role. You can turn it down but must have a good reason such as the job is on lower pay, health issues stop you from doing the job, you have difficulty getting there, for example because of a longer journey, higher cost or lack of public transport. There is nothing stopping you asking about redundancy.

I knew that there had been cuts where I was working so I asked my boss to keep their eye out to get me redundancy if the opportunity arose. It did arise and I did get made redundant. 😊 Just ask and see what they can do. The worst they can say is, no.

The other thing to think about is that redundancy does not always pay a lot. Lots of companies only offer the statutory minimum. www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/redundancy-pay Also you have to have been employed for 2 years or more to be entitled.

That's all helpful thank you!