Squizz

My wife is a Group Accountant and was told out of the blue last Thursday, that she was to be made redundant.

She was asked to clear her desk and handover work whilst supervised on the Friday. She was given no formal letter of intent to make her redundant. She was asked by the HR Manager to get a solicitor to draw up a Compromise Agreement. She's currently on Garden Leave, has no idea of a final date or a settlement figure.

The HR Manager is on holiday this week, without anyone suitable to deal with this in her absence.

We've organised a solicitor, who's an Employment Law specialist. He's waiting to contact them as soon as possible.

Surely they have to provide at least a letter of intent legally?

I've been made redundant before, but this sounds ridiculous!

Are we going to be able to screw them good and proper for ******* her about like this??!??

Cheers,
Squizz.

lawson101

I sincerely hope so!!

My old man was made redundant after 27 years service but at least they let all the staff know a few months in advance what dept/grade staff were likely to be asked to leave.

Best of luck.

little-ginge

A girl at work, who was brought in specifically for a new role not 11mths earlier, arrived one morning to find the boss by her desk. SHe was taken into a side office and was told to pack her things as she was being made redundant. She was given 15 minutes to sort her stuff and then she was escorted from the buidling.

They have done this a few times.. people turned up for work only to be told they were to go home again.. I think they were put on gardening leave whilst the paperwork was sent etc...

As far as I know the first girl is trying to pursue them thru a tribunal but I don't know if she is getting anywhere tbh...ANd as far as I am aware, there should be someone to cover for the HR dept in instances such as these, for any questions etc the employee may have.

Squizz

By all accounts the HR Manager was told by the Financial Director only an hour before, and was dismayed because she knew she was booked to go on holiday the following week!

My wife had worked for the company for over 10 years.

I'm just waiting for someone to call her from work with a question, and we're going to take great delight in referring them to her solicitor.

Seems very odd - I want this solicitor to delve into the need for redundancy given the story about a new role they've come up with. (Which would combine her old job with another for which she does not have the requisite skills).

little-ginge

Good Luck!! Let us know how things pan out??

Diablo

If they are making less than 30 redundant there is no requirement to consult.

Bottom line is, they don't need her services going forward, so be nice, polite, helpful and screw them for as much money as you can

Squizz

Ah-ha. That rings a bell.

Amen to that, Brother.

Cheers,
Squizz.

OllyK

It sounds like they could have handled it better, but making somebody redundant and putting them on gardening leave while they sort it all out isn't that uncommon. I expect she will get the statutory minimum redundancy and will be sent on her way.

I trust she is actively seeking new work and had requested that they give her a good reference?

CrisPDuk

Employment law with regard to redundancy in this country is very much biased towards the employer, this is why when you hear of big multi-nationals downsizing, it's always the UK divisions that go first

Little Ginge, a former employer of mine yused to do it that way too, only she'd wait until 4:45pm to let you know, that way she'd get a full day out of you into the bargain
I don't bear grudges, but when I heard she'd been invited to spend some time as a guest of Her Majesty, as a result of not paying tax & VAT adding up to rather a large sum, I did raise a slight smile

Diablo

I doubt its statutory minimum, Olly, if the employer has asked her to draw up a compromise agreement.

Squizz

She's actively seeking new employment, as much as one can without knowing when you'll be available...

Luckily, prior to her current predicament, all redundancy pay-outs went through her books, so she has a certain expectation level. Our solicitor is not going to make any waves until he gets a whiff of their initial offer and consults with her.

Hopefully, an agreeable figure and a reference worded to her satisfaction will be forthcoming.

I doubt she'll be out of work long - Looks like she'll end up with a job paying a good deal more than she was there anyway!!

Edited to add:-

Unfortunately we'd just bought a Mk1 MR2 for her to use as a race-car in the MR2 Challenge next year. That plan's now on hold until the financial situation has been clarified.

Brendan Hughes

Squizz, I don't know if it bothers you, but although your name is anonymous, your location isn't

Squizz

Didn't see much point in hiding it. There's a fair few of 'em about!

r32

Doesnt sound like redundancy to me .............