Redundancy meeting tomorrow

[rebelrun]

i have a meeting tomorrow to discuss my options. I am a long term (15years) public sector worker, current post is FTC until April 25. My substantive post was given away (and I dont want it anyway) so I have permanent employee status protection for redundancy, redeployment etc.
My preference would be redeployment but I am also excited by the idea of redundancy and a new beginning.
What should I say or not say tomorrow (line manager meet no HR or union rep attending have been given 1 day notice of meeting).
I think I should say very little? just listen and let them know I will take away the information and seek independent advice. No clue in the invitation as to what I will be offered.

You're in a decent position I think, if redundancy wouldn't be a disaster and you'd get a decent pay off. It's bad practice they didn't give you enough notice to bring a union rep. Definitely don't accept anything at the meeting. I'd strike a "friendly but a bit shocked tone" and ask a lot of questions. Concentrate your questions on redeployment at first because if that's a non-starter you can maybe use it as leverage to get your payout up a bit. Their first offer will not be their best offer. Tell your union rep everything afterwards and get them on your side.

If you can - just listen make notes and then after that do some thinking and talking with a partner or friend

Absolutely, listen, make notes, ask them to repeat any information you're unclear about and don't make any decisions or commit to anything in the meeting.

All the above

I would also get looking today at redeployment options you would be interested in and ask for them to give you information not those jobs

Nothing. Absolutely nothing beyond, "Hello" at the start of the meeting and "Thank you, I shall consider what you have said. What is the next stage of this process and when will it be happening? Who should I contact with my questions?" at the end. Otherwise you just listen and take notes.

If you haven't been given sufficient notice to arrange for union representation the they're not playing by the rules, although the timing of the first conversation may be being coordinated with other meetings/announcements.

Thank you for all the replies so far, I am generating a list and in bold at the top will write “say nothing” I am worried that I will be coerced into going down whatever path they have planned (and they will definitely have an intended pathway). Need to have my wits about me. I am open to redeployment and redundancy but want to make sure I get the best outcome either way.
Not sure that there is much negotiation to be had with any redundancy offer (and have not yet been provided with those details) as it is a public sector role with defined redundancy rules.

If you can't organise a union rep, do you have a friend or trusted colleague that could come with you, with instructions to kick your shin if you stray from the Say Nothing script?

I was a union rep during a time of public sector redundancies and there was negotiation room! Improved offers might need to be accounted for in some way but everyone's circumstances are slightly different. Maybe Bob's never taken any study leave that he was entitled to, or maybe Bill is very close to the next boundary of salary so they can round it up as a gesture of goodwill, that sort of thing. Your union rep is your new best friend.

Just practice your gentle bemused, neutral, Louis Theroux face. "Gosh, bit shocked, let me think". If in doubt it's no bad thing to pretend to be slightly more upset than you are without losing your shit. They might let you go home early lol.

Are you aged 50+?

I totally agree with others - say nothing. They're already pushing their luck giving only 24 hrs notice of this meeting, so should be viewed as informal anyway.

Whatever they say - ask for it to be put in writing.

make it clear at the beginning that you see this as an informal discussion and you will not be making any decisions until you've seen the options in writing and you've had time to consider.

Sadly a couple of years shy of it. Not wishing time away but early pension would be good 😊

Thank you, added this to my top lines. They have known this is coming since April 24 so why they have not given more notice is beyond me. It is quite typical of current working environment.
Will ask for a formal meeting with a union rep present