Being made redundant - what do I need to know

[iloveagoodlist]

HI, much like the title says. Been given notice that I am impacted, there is a small pool of people and we are likely to exit at the end of January.

Can you give me your list of questions I should take into my meeting with HR? I know we can take reasons why we should be made redundant to help save our roles but that is a remote possibility.

Week before Christmas too, so that was nice!

Any help you do have would be very appreciated.

Check your rights first www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights

Does my redundancy payment include my pay in lieu of notice. Mine did, it was a pisser but i wanted to go anyway so I sucked it up. So in effect, i actually got only 9 months salary not a year once they had factored in the three months notice.

What length of service do you have?
Dig out the copy of your contract to see if there’s a redundancy T&Cs clause.
How many people in the company are being made redundant?

I’m not sure I’m following this. Redundancy pay and notice pay are two completely separate things

Ah I’m sorry I got made redundant before Xmas once it was shit. Ask what redundancy pay out you get an how it is calculated. You can ask if garden leave is an option, and you should also ask if there are any internal roles available that you could apply for

Whether they will provide support to enable you to look for new jobs, for example job hunting in works time or interview practice

ACAS have the best redundancy guide. They spell out the law. It sucks before Christmas doesn’t it.

I know someone who was at risk but was retained by persuading management to give him a crack at a slightly different job so it can be done

agree it’s a long shot

be clear about pay and notice periods. Ask who is making the decision although it’s virtually certain that will be made already, sadly. Be clear why it’s you if they are retaining others in a similar position. Have some reasons as to why they should retain you. Make it hard for them if you can.

been in this situation several times unfortunately. It’s shit. I’m sorry.

Are you in a union? They can advise you.

I'm fairly certain that's illegal. If they decide to let you go straight away they have to pay you for your notice period. The redundancy pay is completely separate.

What a shitty thing to do right before Christmas.

ACAS has a good website to read through. How long have you been there? That will significantly affect your payout.

Ask why it’s happening, what they are trying to achieve. That way if you have any alternative ideas you can suggest them. Ask about redeployment options. Ask about timeline, how long will they consult you before they make a final decision. Ask what support they will offer you to find a job such as outplacement support like CV advice, interviewing skills, etc.

Most companies advise those in redundant jobs of vacancies. They certainly can redeploy the employee but you have to remember it’s the job that’s redundant. The employee can go to another role.

Have you signed anything yet?
If not, dont.

Are you in a union if so time to contact them.

Ask what funding they have available for an employment lawyer (they sometimes do) if not, get one.

Good luck
💐💐💐💐

Thank you. I’ve been there a long time, the package is generous and more than statutory.

The payout would wouldn’t include any notice pay, holiday accrual that would be extra.

I’ve had a look at the ACAS website that’s been handy. A list of vacancies were provided with the pack and I can apply for them but I do not have the skills.

I was going to ask how long I would be in receipt of my benefits, like BUPA for example? I am using it at the moment so don’t want to keep going down a path of treatment but find the final bill lands on me.

Although it’s a decent lump sum, the job market is awful at the moment so I am going to take up the offer they have given us for some CV building and coaching.

I think I’m a little bit less scared than when I wrote this post earlier, thank you

We have legal support through an EAP and they will also pay to cover the cost of a solicitor who has to review with you the acceptance before you sign it.

it’s worth asking if they will continue to pay your health insurance until your treatment is over / enable you to pay the premiums until it is over

I think I will, the worst they could say is no!

Sounds like you have an enhanced package so will be asked to sign a settlement agreement. Definitely ask for continued PMI after leave, I’ve extended it up to a year before.

Thats so good to know. I have been waiting years for the procedure on the NHS, so I don’t want to lose my chance of surgery.

I'm so sorry OP and right before Christmas too! Years ago, one of my roles was made redundant. If you aren't in a union, you should be able to take a friend/family member into any formal meetings. Although they might not have advice, they could at least jot down the conversation etc. You should let them know though IF you plan to bring someone along.

We too were offered the services of a company to help with CV's/job hunting etc and got X amount of hours to spend with them. In my case, the woman was condescending and rude and other than some minor tips for linkedin, I found her useless. I hope you get more support.

When you come to job interviews, remember and repeat to yourself that 'the ROLE became redundant' not that 'I became redundant'. I know its a small tweak, but its true that it was the role and not YOU. Wishing you all the best x

@iloveagoodlist Do look at your skills and do not under estimate your transferable skills. They might not match a job spec exactly but sometimes skills are more transferable than you think.

I - along with all my department - were told in early November that there was going to be a restructure and that the number of posts will be cut in half. So I've got a 50:50 chance of being made redundant. The final decision will be made in February so I've got to go through Christmas not knowing if I will lose my job

I spent the first couple of days feeling very upset, panicky, tearful etc. Now I've had a few weeks to consider my options I've come to much more acceptance of the situation and will possibly even be disappointed if I'm not made redundant. Not least because those who survive the process will have to do double the work and we are already working flat out!

I think in a few days you might be feeling differently. Also you will have loads of transferrable skills - don't write jobs off just because you're not an exact match.

Good luck!

Thank you. I hope you come out the other side either in a new place and feeling good or if you stay it all works out that way for you too.

I was meant to have finished up now for Christmas but I’m staying on for a few more days to join meetings, work on my CV, search for job adverts etc.

All of the advice on here has been excellent. I currently have friends offering to jump ship and join me if I go through with the threat of starting something on my own! I know that would be a long way off but it’s been an amazing boost to know your colleagues think so highly of you.

I am very disillusioned with my career, I have been for a while. It’s a tough job. Perhaps this is a push I need.

I’d love to get myself a tabard and a van and start a solo cleaning business. The thought of never having to do another personnel dispute or an attendance review is filling me with joy tonight.

I had:

• Redundancy pay
• PILON
• Holiday pay (untaken, pro-rataed)
• Annual bonus (was surprised by that!)
• An ex gratia payment to make sure I wouldn't diss them on social media And they covered legal fees - a lawyer needed to review the redundancy agreement.

I would expect the bonus and ex gratia payment.