Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advise

[walkers40]

I have been given 6 weeks notice of redundancy out of 4 staff on production (plastic moulding) I have been told I have the poorest sickness absence record so I am the unlucky one. !!!!!!!!

Any advice or more info would be very helpful 53 years of age 7 years at the company

Many Thanks in advance. Russ

[Amethyst]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Oh bloody hell, sorry to hear that Russ. I'm really not up on redundancy rules but didn't want to read and run. Others should be about tomorrow who can give you a bit of guidance but really I'd say give ACAS a call tomorrow to check processes and selection are being followed fairly.

[walkers40]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Thanks 2 main points I am very unhappy with is waiting for 7 days to find out how I was selected after the redundancy dismissal being given and if 4 staff is 4 x 40 hours why could 4 staff not work 30 hours as this was never considered to avoid making anyone redundant.

Russ

[Tools]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

I know this is probably not the answer you want to hear, but on your second point it does not make good business sense to the company. They would still have 4x worth of holiday entitlement, 4x PAYE & NI contributions to make etc.

Were the 4 of you consulted prior to any decision being made?

What reason are they giving for the need to make someone redundant, i.e down turn in orders, cost saving etc.

Have you been offered alternative employment elsewhere within the company in a different role?

Have they offered to assist you looking for other work or indicated that they will provide you with a good reference?

Sorry to ask so many questions but the above points are something to consider. I also echo what Amethyst has said regarding speaking with ACAS.

[walkers40]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Thanks for your feedback, as my company has no previous experience of making anyone redundant and this is the first time I have been made redundant the more information the better, in response to some of the questions above the situation is,

Consultation was one to one each meeting approx 10 mins covering yes or no to voluntary redundancy, cutting of hours of work, taking a pay reduction and any ideas for new business.

The need for action is due to a reduction in orders looking forward (3 months)

No alternative position has been discussed or offered

No help offered apart from visits to job centre, interview attendance and no discussion on giving a good reference as of yet.

In more detail the first and only consultation (10 mins) did not cover who was being considered, how many were to be made redundant,how a selection criteria (matrix) was to be used and over what timescale the decision would be made.

In my conformation of redundancy meeting 2 days later I was given no reasons for my selection and it took 8 days to get a letter outlining how I was selected ( days of in sickness) on average over 7 years 4.8 days per year. (meeting duration 10mins)

The whole process was very rushed and I felt as if I was being told that is that and the decision has already been made.

After 7 years at the company this just left me feeling railroaded and to be total honest shocked at my treatment.

Thanks for your help and I am looking to ACAS and their advice.

Many Thanks Russ.

[Tools]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Hi Russ,

Again you may not like my answers, sorry in advance as I'm playing devils advocate.

It seems they have covered most bases on consultation, albeit through very brief interviews. You've kind of answered your own question about retaining all 4 staff and reducing hours.......it sounds like the other 3 employess were not open to this idea or the business deemed it not viable.

To the best of your knowledge, how does your attendance/sickness record stack up against the other 3 employees, do you agree you come off worst in that comparison? If so I'm afraid they've selected you correctly.

They have complied with guidance etc by allowing you time to look for another job and for interviews, I would raise the question about references with them.

Sorry I can't be the bearer of better news for you, even so do contact ACAS as you have nothing to lose, they may even speak with the company to see if they can offer an alternative position.

I wish you all the best in finding something else and if, as a result of losing your income, you need any help with planning your finances/ dealing with any outstanding creditors you may have, specifically priority bills like mortgage, council tax etc then there are lots of people on here to offer guidance before you get in to trouble. Don't hide from your finances, tackle them head on and it will keep you afloat.

[teaboy2]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

How many employees do they employ in total on your site (workplace), is it just you 4 that you mentioned or more? - Important question.

[walkers40]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

The workforce is or was 21 people in total, I am one of 4 on production moulding that has been made redundant.

My immediate line foreman/ team leader has also made redundant (1 role) (40 hours) and 1 female part time (32 hours) office staff 1 of 2 in office admin, leaving 18 staff and 3 redundancies on the 14th May.
The 18 remaining have had to sign for and accept a 10% cut in wages but no reduction in hours.

Hope this clarifies some things any other comments/advice appreciated.
N.B 3 of the 18 remaining have a far poorer absence record than my office colleague and myself albeit in various different roles. !!!

Thanks Russ.

[walkers40]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Some more important information this week as I am on my 3rd week of 6 weeks notice and having checked C.A.B. and ACAS website 4 important issues may have surfaced.

1. Both in my one to one consultation meeting (10 mins) and my compulsory redundancy dismissal meeting 3 days later (10 mins), no reasons were given for how I was being selected and made redundant. ?

2. When I asked for the criteria as to why I was selected to appeal (within 7 days) I was given a letter with no meeting stating a criteria which basically was based purely on sickness absence. this letter given to me on the 8th day after dismissal meeting.

3. A part time colleague aged 65 was made to retire just prior to start of consultations on redundancy and was not part of the process, has handed in a solicitors letter to managing director last friday and has be re- employed from this monday (age discrimination) and is now back at work.

4. It also looks likely my company may be hiring a sales representative shortly its 50/50 , I have 11 years of sales representative past experience.
However this has not been discussed or offered in any meetings or letters with me at any time.?

As any help and advice on these points would be much appreciated thanks in advance as I have 3.5 weeks of notice left before 26th June.

Thanks Russ. :tinysmile_hmm_t2:

[Tools]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Did you speak with ACAS?

[walkers40]

Re: Being made compulsory redundant in June and I think it is unfair. any advis

Not yet have been at work 7.30am-5.00pm but I am having half day fri so will be contacting ACAS friday (fingers crossed they may be helpful) as trying to talk to management is almost impossible as the decision is made. !!!

Thanks Russ.