MARS or wait to see if redundancy follows?

[MamaOtter86]

I'm currently on maternity leave and received a message today that the NHS trust I work for is rolling out MARS (mutually agreed resignation). I have an ok amount of continuous service and the amount I'd receive would likely be around 10k if I applied and was accepted. However if I was made redundant I'd get double that amount.

Has anyone worked for a trust that rolled out MARS then a few months later made redundancies?

If it was full redundancy pay I'd snap it up. However if I take this I can't return to the NHS for 6 months. We plan on having more children so it would have a knock on if I got pregnant again within a year of starting a new job.

Just after people's experiences because this is a lot for my brain to be thinking about right now.

I worked in two NHS Trusts. Neither ever did redundancies. They ‘restructured’ lots of times and got rid of posts, but they only put people on redeployment lists and people also left voluntarily. I think the NHS would rarely use redundancy due to the cost involved.

Yes the trust I work for did MARS about a year ago but l rolled out VR last month which I've applied for as I have 22 years of service so would get a decent payout - unfortunately I dont think I stand a chance of being selected but I can always dream ....

My trust needs to get rid of 150 admin staff and launched a VR scheme last month ...I wont know if my application is successful until October but I luve in hope

My trust has already restructured. I was redeployed 18 months ago. I know of 2 trusts that rolled out MARS then voluntary redundancy in the last few years.

Thank you. I was redeployed 18 months ago and I'm pretty sure if VR was available I'd be accepted, it's just figuring out if it's worth waiting. My protected pay ends next year so my payout would reduce if VR took a while to role out and be paid. I was planning to leave before my pay protection ends so essentially I could get paid to leave. Honestly I just don't know what is the best option.

I hope you get your VR!