Redundancy - info needed

Guest2 · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:36

Our company has been reducing costs and as a result my role is at risk. The other person who is in a similar role to me has been there longer than anyone else in the team. We can both apply for the role but I know he will get it so there's not much point in going through a selection process and whatever else is involved. (I have only been there since August)

I have a letter that states "... you will be invited to a final meeting on friday 4th February 2011 and you will formally be issued notice of compulsory redundancy on this date"

Not a great start to the new year. Really ****ed off as this happened not long ago, business going through hard times so got rid of about 1/4 of the staff. Now at my new job that I have been really enjoying they are doing the same thing (7 / 35 redundant at head office alone)

A couple of questions -

Is the 1 months notice from 4th Feb, meaning I would work my notice until 4th March and receive my last pay at the end of March?

As its a new year, what happens with holidays? Could I book all my days up until 4th March?

Sp00n · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:39

How long have you been with the company?

/edit ffs, I completely missed it, sorry, I did read the post, honest!

The Halk · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:41

August, Spoon. It's in the first paragraph.

OP - Apply for it anyway, seniority doesn't guarantee him the role.

The notice period begins on the 4th of February. You're working normally until the notice period runs out, so yes you get holidays. Are you certain they're only giving you a months notice?

Also, book holidays BEFORE February, because it's not uncommon to be put on gardening leave as soon as notice is issued.

Pawnless Endgame · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:42

Something similar happened at my old work - 2 similar positions, both at risk. 1 position to apply for. Both applied for the job and the guy who got it in the end was actually the one who worked in the company the shortest.. by about a year. So Guest2, I'd say go for it.

chriscubed · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:42

Not an expert so don't quote me on it, but to your questions:
1: I would check with whoever sent you the letter. I would imagine if you are to get a 1 month notice period, it would start on the date you are formally told.
2: Generally holiday is done pro rata. If your holiday year starts in January and you're working until March, you would have worked 2 out of 12 months, so you would get 1/6th of your yearly holiday entitlement which you should be able to take before you leave. You would have to ask if they'll let you get paid for the holiday instead of taking it off.

Hope that helps

Vonhelmet · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:44

Sp00n said:
How long have you been with the company?

Since August. It says somewhere in his OP.

You can request all your holiday, but they aren't obliged to grant you it. However, they must pay you pro-rata for any holiday entitlement not used by the date of the end of your employment. However, if they allow you holiday before you leave and you take more than the pro-rata amount, they can't claw money back from you for it.

Participant · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:46

The Halk said:
OP - Apply for it anyway, seniority doesn't guarantee him the role.

Absolutely this. Apply your arse off and really impress them. You never know what could happen.

The Halk · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:47

vonhelmet said:
they can't claw money back from you for it.

Von Helmet raises a good point - you need to watch for them trying to do that. Many companies will try to claw back money that way, regardless of the legality. It's difficult and sometimes a big waste of time to try to get it back.

MikeHiow · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:48

+1 for applying anyway.

Guest2 · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:53

Monserrat said:
Something similar happened at my old work - 2 similar positions, both at risk. 1 position to apply for. Both applied for the job and the guy who got it in the end was actually the one who worked in the company the shortest.. by about a year. So Guest2, I'd say go for it.

The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

The Halk · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:54

Guest2 said:
The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

And he can spend his notice period teaching you, when you get the job and he doesn't.

Participant · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:56

Guest2 said:
The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

Even if it's 50/1 that he'll get the job, it'll still be a worthy exercise. It'll also give you practice for your next job application.

Sp00n · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:58

You have nothing to lose by applying so you may as well go for it, don't bother if you're just going to go in with a negative attitude though.

Confused · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:59

Guest2 said:
The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

It could be that you're on a lower wage than him - and keeping you on makes more financial sense.

So - as others have said too - apply for the job, impress them, and you might end up OK

Morba · 7 Jan 2011 at 13:59

Guest2 said:
The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

Good opportunity to get rid of him then, get some knowledge shared around the rest of the team.

Guest2 · 7 Jan 2011 at 14:36

It was also noted in at meeting we both had that there would be possible pay cuts.

At the moment its really busy, which will only mean it will be twice as busy when one of us has left. Couple that with a possible pay cut for whoever gets the place and it will be pretty soul destroying working twice as hard for less money!

It was noted that the work would be spread amongst the team but I cant really see this happening

Morba · 7 Jan 2011 at 14:37

Guest2 said:
It was also noted in at meeting we both had that there would be possible pay cuts.

At the moment its really busy, which will only mean it will be twice as busy when one of us has left. Couple that with a possible pay cut for whoever gets the place and it will be pretty soul destroying working twice as hard for less money!

It was noted that the work would be spread amongst the team but I cant really see this happening

Its just like you are both applying for a job again.... oh wait.

They have recently employed you so you know the process, you know that you beat others to the job you currently have.
Go in the same again, but negotiate better regarding the paycut if there is to be one (if this is allowed).

Gaijin · 7 Jan 2011 at 14:57

Definitely apply anyway.

Ok so he knows more about systems others don't - thats what a handover is for.

Think about it this way. If his salary is significantly higher than yours but he can hand over the job to you and you can do it competently, you are in the running.

Furthermore there may be other extenuating issues (bad attitude towards management, sickness etc) that you might not be aware of.

boxman2000 · 7 Jan 2011 at 15:03

Guest2 said:
The thing is the other guy has been there over 3 years (longer than anyone else in the team apart from one of the Devs) He knows parts of the systems that no-one else knows so he's more or less needed

He's been there longer and most likely he costs the company more from his wage.

'Wes · 7 Jan 2011 at 15:12

boxman2000 said:
He's been there longer and most likely he costs the company more from his wage.

This raises a good point tbh, you could be more flexible with your pay cheque.