Enforced role change

[BR36]

Hi, my employer wants my colleague and I to change roles (senior management positions) as they now like to rotate positions every few years. There’s nothing in our contracts to say this is an obligation.

Whilst the principle isn’t a huge issue, my colleague is less inclined to do the swap than I am. If we both ‘resisted’, where do we stand. It’s a large UK Ltd company.

[echat11]

How long have you worked for the company?

If there is nothing in your contract, then there is nothing the company can do to make you.

The best thing to do is if you both raise it informally with management. If they still want you to 'change', both raise a Formal Grievance in writing setting out your reasons. Management will arrange a meeting.

https://www.acas.org.uk/grievance-pr...e-step-by-step

ULA

[BR36]

As I suspected in reality. We’ve both worked in the company for many years (25+), in simple terms, our HR people (who never change roles) want to rotate people in roles to introduce fresh thoughts and ideas.

[echat11]

As I suspected in reality. We’ve both worked in the company for many years (25+), in simple terms, our HR people (who never change roles) want to rotate people in roles to introduce fresh thoughts and ideas.

The Government do that a lot, ministers leave and new ministers arrive, each minister wants to leave their stamp, so something that works is 'short lived'. In some ways it's 'crazy' because you lose the continuity, building blocks, foundations etc.

[ULA]

Other than the change to the roles are any of your contractual employment terms changing.

[BR36]

No changes to T&Cs, just a job swap basically.

[ULA]

If there are no changes to T&C's and this is a role swap at senior management levels, which is customary, then unless there is the potential for the individual to be concerned about their ability to do the new role due to needing some specific training, which should be requested, I suggest they arrange to speak with HR. By discussing their concerns there may be some way that these can be resolved and your colleague feels less resistant to the change.