Could I be made redundant after 20 years even though I'm the only one doing my job

[Andyls]

Hey all,

Could I be made redundant, I've been at my place of work for 20 years and I'm the only one who does my role. For example if I'm off I'll or on holiday my job simply doesn't get done. But other offices in the same company outsouce the work I do to a external UK company.

Surley the company would find it hard to explain at a tribunal why my job was no longer required after 20 years and instead have outsourced it to another UK company?

Would the other company have to TUPE me across they are based in the same city.

I'm sure if I did leave they would use the company the other offices are using for my job.

Thanks all

Yes, they could

Of course they can I'm afraid. If they choose to outsource (which may be cheaper) that's their prerogative.

TUPE is for takeover situations.

I think they can - but if call ACAS if you don’t have a Union to ask.

They can certainly decide to outsource the function to an outside company if they choose. That's a commercial decision and may well be a cheaper option. What they can't do is employ someone else in that role either on a permanent or temporary basis.

As others said, yes they absolutely could make you redundant I am afraid. Whether it’s TUPE would depend on whether on a number of factors but amongst others the service you do would need to retain its identity post-transfer. Do you do anything for your current company that’s staying in house/going to someone else? I suspect it won’t be one person at the new outsourced provider doing “your” job, but rather a bank of people picking up tasks as needed, possibly using different tools/systems/ways of working, but really you need a lot more info to advise.

Yes sorry OP but they could do this, do you have an inkling they’re planning to?

With 20 years service you should be entitled to a good redundancy package at least.

Yes, most redundancies in my old firm were as a result of the work being shifted overseas / outsourced.

Yup, my firm slimlined and it was decided the work of three could be done by two, even though I was the only person doing mine.

Exactly as @HRTea says.

TUPE is only relevant if your company has been purchased.

If your company has decided that they no longer need your role to be staffed by them and that instead they can outsource all or parts of it, then they are within their rights to do that and make your role redundant.

They basically need to put forward the business case for disestablishing a post, so this might include financial reasons (if it’s cheaper to outsource) but also things to do with the work itself (eg they want continuous service not gaps when you go on leave, or they want a more on-demand approach rather than a full time person or whatever). My DH got made redundant when his entire area of business was moved to Eastern Europe. I have just been made redundant due to funding cuts, I don’t think anyone is immune nowadays. I’ve found ACAS really helpful for outlining process - the whole thing sucks royally but being armed with the right information is important.