Can a role be made redundant before the work is finished?

[CharlieSierraAgain]

I’m being made redundant, currently in “consultation”. I’m not surprised, but I am surprised at the timing because I’m still needed to finish a project. I expected it to happen in about 3 months. I know that it’s legal to make someone work their notice period, but it feels unreasonable to make the role redundant before the work has finished, so in anticipation of it finishing and on the basis that it can be completed during notice. Surely if the work is still required, the role is not redundant yet? They haven’t said they’ll make me work it, but I think they might due to what still needs doing.

I would say they could try but an employer attempting to make someone or a group of people redundant needs to show a clear business need. They wouldn’t be able to do that if their decision is based on what they think might happen in three months’ time. Are you in a union?

Unfortunately not I’m afraid.

Yes, they can make you redundant in anticipation of your work no longer being required.

Yes in January 2018 took on a contract meant to last 9 months with a major book publisher.
It did not reach the envisaged time at all in fact 9 months ftc was an exaggeration, according to the book author.

July 2018 I was served with notice.

Yes then can make the role redundant if the project work is scheduled to finish at a set date. They can also expect those being made redundant to work their notice to complete the work. They may give an incentive that if the work is finished earlier then the residual notice period doesn’t have to be served in the work place. Equally in the event there are some loose ends which go beyond the date of redundancy they can offer an extension to the redundancy date sbut the individuals don’t have to accept it.

Yes, they can, and they can keep you working, and probably will, until your last day.

Sorry @CharlieSierraAgain I’ve been there and as harsh as it may come across, they honestly don’t give a shit. You are, for all intents and purposes, a commodity.

Onwards and upwards, there are companies out there that still value your skills and experience.

Thank you for your kind words. I’m going to be retiring so won’t be desperately searching for a role. I could see the direction of travel and expected this outcome, however if they are thinking that me working my notice is how they’re going to land the change we are working on, then that is shocking and harsh. They are uncaring, I’ve seen two other senior women treated poorly in the past year, but nevertheless trying to get this done with me on notice is not in their best interests and there is no financial need to accelerate the timing so it seems unnecessarily brutal.

Silver lining n’all that but if you’re retiring soon anyway, redundancy (money) is a bonus of sorts?

Are they expecting your 100% commitment to the role until the last hour of the last day?

Yes. Very normal.

I don’t know yet what they’re expecting. I’m just musing on the thinking as it’s an odd decision right now considering where we are operationally. I will retire now but would have worked another year given a free choice and as well as the extra income, I would have preferred to conclude my career in a phased transition to retirement rather than this.

Have you proposed this? Depending on how much redundancy you would be due, a phased transition to retirement over the course of a year might work out cheaper for them.

be grateful. More time to save/job hunt.

Don’t understand this post, be grateful for what? The question was about pulling the trigger on the redundancy process before the work has actually finished, on the basis of how can a role be redundant whilst still needed. Several posters have confirmed that legally this is ok.