Lovely Christmas Bonus

Tripnologist · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:16

Six years ago, I started with a company that had 3 employees and was being ran out of the front room of a guys house. I helped make it what it is today, a successful company with 50+ employees and a company owned office.
To thank me for all my hard work over the years, I received this yesterday.

Following a review of our operation we feel that our needs have changed to the extent that it is now essential that our website development team is operating from a single location in Leeds. We consider that this is more likely to assist us in terms of the supervision of projects and ensure maximum productivity and quality.

As a key member of the digital team it would be preferable to the business if you would move to Leeds in order to fully contribute to the growth of the digital department. As you know we've discussed this on many occasions.

We're at a point in time with the business where if you will not relocate to Leeds then your position in Bristol will likely cease to exist. That is through no fault of your own, you can choose to work from where you wish, however should you decide not to come to Leeds then unfortunately that will mean we'll have no choice but to make alternative arrangements to source someone with your skillset from the local area. Should that prove to be the case we will have to initiate a redundancy consultation process in relation to your role.

With the above in mind will you please consider your intentions and let me know by Jan 2nd 2013. If before that date you would like any more information or to discuss the option please let me know.

Anyone know how redundancy works? I gather they're trying to go the route of saying there is no longer a position in my city, but the thing is that there never was a 'Bristol Position' as they have no business here. it's always just been 'my position'. So what they are doing is literally just forcing me out and replacing me with someone with a near identical skillset.

trojan698 · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:17

Rough luck. Did you pee someone off?

Narj · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:19

Does your employment contract state where your normal place of work is?

At least you're not being sent to Coventry... Sorry!

Tripnologist · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:21

MeatSack said:
Rough luck. Did you pee someone off?

Nope, quite the opposite in fact. I even own a 10% share in the software that's responsible for running the entire business as I helped create it.

Basically, they were perfectly happy with me working remotely for the last 6 years (in fact, they approached me for the job to start with), but now that the company is big enough, it's apparently just inconvenient for them.

They even know that I just moved and signed a lease on my house. They know there is no way I could move even if I wanted to.

[FnG]magnolia · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:24

Lawyer up.

e : there is at least one Lawyer who posts here who specialises, I think, in Employment Law, but there are several others who will have views they might share. I redact my 'LAWYER UP' shout until one of them says they can help you

Simon · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:24

Sounds like they don't trust you ?

trojan698 · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:24

Do you think they're trying to save money? Get someone cheaper in.

jamief · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:26

Simon said:
Sounds like they don't trust you ?

Eh? It sounds like they want him to move to Leeds.

Simon · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:31

' We consider that this is more likely to assist us in terms of the supervision of projects and ensure maximum productivity and quality'

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:34

jamief said:
Eh? It sounds like they want him to move to Leeds.

This, sounds like they really do appreciate and want him, just that they need some one in Leeds these days.

Simon said:
' We consider that this is more likely to assist us in terms of the supervision of projects and ensure maximum productivity and quality'

Due to the expansion of the company, makes sense for a team to be located together, so they can work effectively with each other, IMO you're reading far to much into that line.

Gilly · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:36

Sounds like they want him to run a team from the centre of the world.

Move to Leeds mate, you've been offered a chance to move up in the world.

Clav · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:40

Negotiate yourself a fat pay rise and move to Leeds

gillywibble · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:42

What a shoddy thing to do this time of year.

Deleted member 77746 · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:44

Just shows you how spiteful people can be, not too sure if I would want to work for a company like this but on the other hand at least they are giving you the chance to move with the company not not instant dismissal.

Tripnologist · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:45

Gilly said:
Sounds like they want him to run a team from the centre of the world.
Move to Leeds mate, you've been offered a chance to move up in the world.

It's this, really. The team is large enough now that it's hard being the senior dev and not being in the office.

As it is, I do spend a week each month up there, but can't move there perm as all my wife's family is here and we have plans to move back to Canada in a few years.

Bald-Eagle22 · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:49

Take the Leeds post and go long term sick .

What a scummy thing to do at this time of year.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:49

I don't see what Canada's got to do with it?
And do you really have to stay in same location as family, after all you are going to live several thousand miles from them, could be great way to get a nice pay rise and save even more up.

Gilly · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:50

Bald-Eagle22 said:
Take the Leeds post and go long term sick .

What a scummy thing to do at this time of year.

It's not a scummy thing this time of year to go long term sick, it's a scummy thing to do ever.

Tripnologist · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:52

Glaucus said:
I don't see what Canada's got to do with it?
And do you really have to stay in same location as family, after all you are going to live several thousand miles from them, could be great way to get a nice pay rise and save even more up.

In a few years, my wife will leave behind all of her family and friends, for me (I'm Canadian). At the very least, I owe it to her to let her have as much time with the people she loves here.

Gilly · 21 Dec 2012 at 09:54

Tripnologist said:
In a few years, my wife will leave behind all of her family and friends, for me (I'm Canadian). At the very least, I owe it to her to let her have as much time with the people she loves here.

It sounds like you have a decision to make together that will impact your lives greatly.

Either a new job in Bristol or a move North. Either way is going to be a big change. You need to involve her in the decision is all.