Redundancy Queries - Forced to apply for new role

[Disciple of Nagash]

Hi,

I have the following situation at work, and I am not sure if it is fully legal. Firstly I should state the company policy is to comply with ACAS if that helps at all.

So the situation is as follows:

• Current team of Business Analysts (of which I am one)
• Current team of Change Analysts (in different department) - a role junior to the Business Analysts

Restructure takes place, in which the Business Analysts are moved into the same department as the Change Analysts. We are then advised:

• Current BA role is "at risk" - i.e. it will no longer be in the structure
• Current Change Analyst role is "at risk" as well
• A new Change Analyst role has been created, which has less positions than the combined teams
• Apparently the new role is a 90% fit for the existing Change Analysts, so they don't have to apply are automatically given a job
• It is also (somehow) at 70-80% fit for the Business Analyst job, and as such we MUST apply for it via an assessment or hand in our resignation
• We may not take voluntary redundancy
• We may not take early retirement
• Should someone wish to to not apply (and thus have to hand in their resignation), the Director in charge has advised he will force us to work our full notice as it "inconveniences" him and he may have to source replacements

Considering my full notice is 3 months it is really annoying. The offered role is generally seen as junior to the Business Analyst role, and some may choose to leave. However at the moment they are saying we have no choice but to apply.

My main questions are:

• Are they correct in forcing us to apply for the new role?
• Is there anything that can be done in regards to the notice period considering we are officially "under risk", as it is making it difficult to seek some employment with a three month notice period.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Cheers

DoN