Redundancy advice

[williteverstopraining2024]

Just looking for a bit of advice currently going through a consultation period at work. Been there for 9 years almost and a team manager, I am part time work 3 days a week and there are some changes being made within the department.

I've been told that the changes mean that there is still enough roles for everyone however I am having to apply for a new role and interview because my existing role can no longer be done on part time hours apparently !

The department is going from let's say 12 managers down to 9 with 3 new roles for a completely different job. This is the only one I'm eligible to apply for due to hours and location now as some are required to be in a different office which is 4 hours away.

My question is it normal to have to apply? And interview etc? I'm having to do a CV application form and interview however I'm being told there's enough jobs for everyone? They are saying that they have to make sure the new role is the right fit for me however it seems unfair that I'm having to jump through hoops for this! I said what if I'm not successful they said I would then be redundant but it wouldn't get to that really as there's enough jobs for everyone?! Well why am I having to interview for it !

Any advice appreciated.

If other roles are at risk it is normal to have to interview potential candidates to find the best fit against criteria.

This role is a completely new role so no one done this before, just seems odd that they are assuring there are enough roles for everyone (if I change my role) but then being forced to interview for it

They're just telling you there are the same number of roles in the new structure as there are currently. They are NOT saying that therefore means you, and the others, are safe. You're not. Hence applying.

This is why I'm confused as in the initial meeting it was advised that there would be no redundancies enough roles for everyone not to worry! and now this? Doesn't make any sense. Anyway I guess I'll just apply

Sounds completely normal to me. If the role changes significantly (in terms of scope or location), then asking people at risk of redundancy to apply is a fair way of selecting who gets the role. It’s not like you are the only one being asked to apply/interview for roles. The others at risk
of redundancy are going through the same procedure.

It may be that they don’t technically have to make you redundant because there is an equivalent role in an office 4 hours away. So there are technically/legally enough roles to go around. Whether you want to DO the new role(s) given hours and location is another matter

IANAL or HR professional though. It would be worth getting some advice from someone who is about your rights if you don’t get the new role that suits you and your only option is something with different hours or location. ACAS may help or have some info on their website. Or obv your union if you have one or there is one in your workplace.

They can absolutely ask you to apply for the alternative role if there isn’t one that’s a close match to your current one