Possible redundancy letter

[Felon]

“We confirm that Person was employed from X to Y in role Z with a final annual salary of £**,***” is common, but usually a sign that said person and said employer didn’t part in friendly terms.

Normally this is done to keep things simple.

The company providing the reference doesn’t normally stand to gain anything by providing a detailed reference, it’s normally simpler and easier to just give the bare minimum.

It’s also risky to give a more detailed reference, if you say anything specific about the employee and they later suffer as a result, you’ll need to be able to prove everything that was said, if they sue.

So it’s generally safer to just say the least amount possible.

 

[D.P.]

You can say anything factual in a reference, even if negative. The risk is that the company can be sued so you better be sure to gave solid evidence. Given that the ex employer has absolutely zero to gain from giving positive or negative reviews many require the minimal X was employed from Y to Z dates.

 

[NickK]

“We confirm that Person was employed from X to Y in role Z with a final annual salary of £**,***” is common, but usually a sign that said person and said employer didn’t part in friendly terms.

All the HR I've known only confirm the period of employment only. To provide further information can either open them up to bad PR, legal/tribunal or GDPR issues. Personal references are different but the same occurs, you cannot be quoted/sued for silence only what you have said and typically are character references that you trust them but not that you don't trust them etc.

 

[dlockers]

All the HR I've known only confirm the period of employment only. To provide further information can either open them up to bad PR, legal/tribunal or GDPR issues. Personal references are different but the same occurs, you cannot be quoted/sued for silence only what you have said and typically are character references that you trust them but not that you don't trust them etc.

Agreed, this couldn't be more normal:

“We confirm that Person was employed from X to Y in role Z with a final annual salary of £**,***”

 

[mattw12345]

Thanks for all the responses over these past few weeks, they have been very helpful.

I finally had the meeting today and it is going to be a potential redundancy. They have said something along the lines of - due to both a cost and a need to increase the pace of website improvements, the business is proposing to outsource the development... reasoning for the proposal is be to be able to draw on a blended role and skillset to improve the website and to able to change to a variable cost base that can be flexed and align to business performance.

In the details I will get 2 weeks statutory redundancy and it will be a 6 week notice period.

I am ready to move on and find the next job so I could go ahead and take this. I am thinking of trying to negotiate them allowing me to take at least part of the six weeks as PILON. Is this a reasonable request? This would give me more time to job hunt and go to any potential interviews.

That said, I feel like I could also ask them to consider keeping me at a lower salary point. Either way I want to find a new job, but in the short term it would at least mean that I have a stable source of income. I don't know whether to show this hand though - ie - ask whether they would consider keeping me on at a reduced salary with the intention that I will be looking to find a job within say the next 3/6 months. There is a lot of work still to be done, we actually developed to platforms and while they are focused on the ecommerce site the other one still needs a lot of attention, so I think I can definitely still justify adding a lot of value.

I can understand their reasoning though, I'm not a senior and don't have the experience and skill to be able to add value that a more senior consultant would be able to. This is also why I'm ready to move on, I think getting onto another project will help me broaden my skill and experience.

I have a follow up consultation tomorrow where I will be able to discuss this in more detail.

 

[Tetras]

I finally had the meeting today and it is going to be a potential redundancy. They have said something along the lines of - due to both a cost and a need to increase the pace of website improvements, the business is proposing to outsource the development... reasoning for the proposal is be to be able to draw on a blended role and skillset to improve the website and to able to change to a variable cost base that can be flexed and align to business performance.

wow, they really know how to add BS to :"we're firing you because outsourcing is cheap and you're not".

That said, I feel like I could also ask them to consider keeping me at a lower salary point. Either way I want to find a new job, but in the short term it would at least mean that I have a stable source of income. I don't know whether to show this hand though - ie - ask whether they would consider keeping me on at a reduced salary with the intention that I will be looking to find a job within say the next 3/6 months. There is a lot of work still to be done, we actually developed to platforms and while they are focused on the ecommerce site the other one still needs a lot of attention, so I think I can definitely still justify adding a lot of value.

That's very unlikely to happen, when these kind of decisions are made the money is gone already and the structure of that work completely changes.

You're unlikely to be able to work with the outsourcing company, for example, though I suppose they might need someone to help with the transition.

 

[Ayahuasca]

It's time to down tools and spend what little time you have left looking for a new job.

Don't offer to work for less, it's demeaning and you'll probably regret it almost immediately if they accept.

wow, they really know how to add BS to :"we're firing you because outsourcing is cheap and you're not".

Unfortunately this kind of language is everywhere now, business would be a lot easier if people could just be more blunt

 

[sidimmu]

That said, I feel like I could also ask them to consider keeping me at a lower salary point.

Have some respect for yourself mate.

Just look for a new job whilst you wait, I presume you are under 2 years and not going to get a decent redundancy package?
If no package, no need to wait and leave as soon as you can.

 

[throwaway4372]

Focus on finding another job, now is a good time of year to be searching, Christmas is not.
You don't owe them jack, do the minimum, take whatever deal they offered.

 

[mattw12345]

Have some respect for yourself mate.

Just look for a new job whilst you wait, I presume you are under 2 years and not going to get a decent redundancy package?
If no package, no need to wait and leave as soon as you can.

It will actually be 2 years, so I will get 2 weeks statutory pay.

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

Things to consider asking for, how you word them may well depend on how "well" your follow up is going.

- I assume you will be flexible to allow me to take time out to attend interviews?
- I assume if I find a new position within the next six weeks and they want me to start quickly you will be happy to let me go on say 1 weeks notice?

 

[BUDFORCE]

So going off sick for a few weeks worked now they have to pay you off?

REsult!