I've been invited to arrange a meeting with my boss so he can "hear my representations before making a decision" as to wehther to make me redundant - I don't know what to say to him!

[MamaG]

Basically, I am a paralegal dealing with people's divorces under the LEgal Aid scheme. I'm the only one. The firm I work for has stopped taking Legal Aid work as it was not financially viable and on the whole, the firm is suffering. Boss has written to me (I'm on maternity leave) saying "I must consider making the litigation paralegal position redundant. However I wish to hear your representations before making a decision .... please arrange a meeting .... you should consider in advance what representations you wish to make at the meeting, for example ways of avoiding the need for the position to be made redundant or ways to minimise the impact ..."

Obv I'm paraphrasing here.

I really don't think there is anything I can suggest or say that will make any differnece. I would much rather ring him and say "I'll just accept the redundancy graciously, there's nothing I can suggest to bring in extra work" or something. Is that allowed?! What is he on about "ways to minimse the impact?" - I don't understand that sentence.

Any advice greatly appreciated - ACAS is permanently engaged

Are there other things that you think you can do for the firm? Things that you have always thought "wouldn't it be great if someone sorted that" but have never had time to do? Can you prepare trial bundles, file docs at court, serve docs, run diaries for the fee earners so they don't miss court and filing dates? I'm not a litigator, but there must be loads of things that it would be useful if someone could do.

As your old job is no longer there - can you make a case for other things that you have the experience and knowledge to do which would help the Firm's profitability?

I don't really have much to offer, other than to say I totally understand what you are going through. I am on mat leave and have been put at risk too. It sucks.

Agree with GooseyLoosey - think about how else your skills should be applied. Are there any other paralegals in the firm? Are there any current vacancies?

You are entitled to have a union rep or colleague present at such meetings.

Sorry no advice but hope it goes ok.

fwiw - DH had to ring ACAS last week and found it permanently engaged

I've racked my brains but they are such a small firm, there really isn't anything else I could do.

Financially we'll be ok and TBH I'm secretly relieved that I won't have to leave DS2 and that I'll get a bit of a payout (not much but its there isn't it)

What do you think "ways to minimise the impact" means - could I ask for a bit more dosh?!

I'm not at all sure, but thought it was very difficult for firms to make people redundant while on maternity leave - maybe get some legal advice on this?

I would imagine that 'ways to minimise the impact' means ways to reduce the cost impact of keeping your job for the company iywim.
So could you suggest a reduction in hours and salary? or ways to increase the profit from certain things that you do in your job etc.

Thats what I'd read it as anyway, not minimise the impact of redundancy on you, sorry

Thanks

Ask what the terms of the redundancy would be? What would you get?

If its not entirely negative don't argue too hard! there's a lady on my postnatal very happy to have been made redundant to avoid returning to work (and Dh is hoping for it in about a year when he wants to go to Uni - pay frozen so fingers crossed).

They might want yu to suggest part time work or something like that?

You could "minimise the impact" by offering to take a career break or similar unpaid leave, if your firm has such a policy. That way they do not make you redundant now but you do not have to go back to work.

Then when you return to work in 12 months or whatever time, they can consider whether they can redeploy you in another role, and if there isn't one, make you redundant then. You lose the extra protection offered to mothers on maternity leave under employment law by doing this I think.

I appreciate this may not be a very attractive option, especially as you seem quite content to be made redundant. But I would guess that is what they mean.

Not an employment lawyer, by the way!

I've just spoken to boss on the phone and accepted the redundancy

It feels VERY weird. He was really nice though.

I do feel sad in a way - its the first time since DH and I have been together (14 years) htat I haven't contributed financially to the family pot. I told him that last night and he said "but your contribution as a Mum means so much more"

So thats it! I'm officially a SAHM

What a big thing to happen today to you. Hope you're ok about it.

Well at least there's no more uncertainty MamaG. It's bound to feel strange for a while.
Hope you manage to get your head around it (and bless your DH!)

Yeah it is a big thing - feel tons better today though!

Sorry you're having to go through this.

I know that it is done and dusted, but just to let you know that it is a legal requirement for an employer to "consult" with the employees before making them redundant. So the invitation to the meeting was merely a step in the overall process that your employer had to go through, otherwise you would have potentially been able to claim unfair dismissal.