Redunancy

[whitbybabe]

Where I work we have all been given a letter stating that a certain percentage of the workforce look likely to be made redundant soon. They said they will look at other options first,but it looks likely that some of us will go soon. My question is,do they by law have to offer voluntary redunancies first before they make any decisions as to who is going? I have heard rumours that you get a bigger pay off if you take it voluntarily? Is this true?

[Buenchico]

If you've worked for an employer long enough, you'll automatically be entitled to a certain amount of redundancy pay. (See link for details). Some employers pay more than the statutory minimum but they're not obliged to do so. In particular, some employers might offer an incentive to those who volunteer for redundancy but, as stated, they're under no obligation to do so.

There's loads of information here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Redunda ncyAndLeavingYourJob/Redundancy/index.htm

Chris

[buildersmate]

One difficulty with voluntary redundancy schemes is that employers tend to lose the people they can least afford to.
Government department tend to offer voluntary redundancy schemes.
What does that tell you?

[Thunderchild]

where I worked - and am working again they offered voluntary redundancy but refused to let some people who volunteered go. Being agency I was for the chop anyhow, but someone left a couple of months later and I came back as a rplacement ;-) but still via agency }-(