Redundancy threat

[Pegs11]

Hi, I’ve been off work for over a month due to personal circumstances beyond my control and the loss of a close family member. The timing has been awful because I’ve missed a number of meetings about big changes planned for my department. I’ve only been given the bare bones of the plans in writing. Yesterday I was informed that I’m at risk of redundancy due to these changes. I’ve apparently been scored on a skills matrix, which will be compared with the others in my team and the decision will be largely based on this. I also need to attend a consultation meeting to discuss the risk of redundancy and the skills matrix. I am effectively being forced into the position of needing to go to this meeting tomorrow even though I am off work and consumed with family matters. Otherwise I won’t have the chance to fight my corner. But I already feel I’m at a serious disadvantage as I’ve missed all the formal meetings and informal discussions around this. Any advice?

I had the same consultation meeting but knew they’d made up their mind. I’m effectively hired till the end of this month then off. I’ve applied internally for a role which I have an interview next week but I had to be at the helm of any potential redeployment. Sorry to hear about family issues. My consultation meeting was only 15 mins at best.

Thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear you went through this. Best of luck to you in your future endeavours.

I’ve backed out of my consultation meeting as really don’t feel mentally well enough to participate in a fair way. Might be able to reschedule but depends on my health and capacity before the consultation ends at the end of the month. Not sure what I’m going to do.

I would suggest ringing ACAS for advice

Personally I think all the decisions are cut and dried long before any meetings.
I've been on the receiving end and was lied to for months aforehand.

I would try and reschedule and attend a meeting if you possibly can. The more information you can get the better Ive found in these situations. They may be looking for suggestions on how to mitigate redundancies as well. Sorry you're going through a tough time.

It sounds like they’re trying to skills match at risk colleagues. I assume they’ll redeploy those with a higher skills match to open roles. By not attending these sessions you’ll likely end up self selecting yourself for redundancy. It’s up to you how you feel about that. I’d try and attend the call so you know what’s going on.

Thanks all. I have spoken to ACAS and received some advice as to my options and how I can be enabled to participate in the consultation process fairly, given my limited capacity at the moment. Fingers crossed everything can be dealt with fairly and properly.

Honestly I’d try and make the meeting , I think refusing makes you far more likely to be selected for redundancy. How long have you been in the role?