Offered voluntary redundancy whilst on furlough: advice needed!

[Emmzzi]

12 minutes ago, Tactful said:

 

 

1. In setting out the terms for the proposal for voluntary redundancy, the letter says that whilst I will be paid at 100% for my outstanding holidays, I will only be paid at the 80% furlough figure for the 3 months of my notice period. Is this right? 

 

2. The letter says that I am not allowed to discuss the contents of the letter with any other employee, aside from the managing director? Is this a normal inclusion? I would like to be able to discuss this with my head of department, who is my immediate manager, but the letter doesn't allow for this unfortunately!

 

3. The letter says that I need to let them know if I accept the proposed voluntary redundancy before 4:00 on Friday next week (the 26th). Given that I'd received the email at 6:00 today, that basically only gives me 4 working days to take advice on this and to consider my position. is there any form of minimum period that would be required as this seems like an awfully short period of time for consideration?

 

4. The letter doesn't mention at all what my position would be if I did not accept the offer and was eventually made redundant, shouldn't that be included?

 

 

1. Bit iffy, but there is zero case law here to rely on. It's poor spirited but probably not illegal. My in house lawyers can't be sure either way.

2. How many employees are being laid off? If over 20, collective consultation should be going on. 

3. Sounds like the £300 is to explain a settlement agreement. So the deadline of next week will just be to get that issued I think, then a further period where you have a solicitor explain it. For £300 they won't negotiate for you, So if you'd take it if it was say 100% pay during notice, now is the time to say that. Of real value is getting an agreed reference. Minimum periods depend on how many people are involved but this is VR, nor compulsory. So both parties can agree a deadline between them.

4. I would assume stat. redundancy; holiday pay (which they'll make you take during furlough..) notice period and with your length of service a max of about £538, plus no agreed reference.

 

Good questions to ask

- how many people are impacted, how many jobs to be lost from how many people?

- what alternatives to redundancy have been considered?

- what's the selection criteria - right now it may be "who has put their hand up"?

- if over 20 people, who are the employee reps?

 

Em

[Emmzzi]

Ask. Shy bairns get nowt! They will probably agree; a few hundred more to not have go go down the mandatory route makes their life a little easier.  If not, well, you tried and don't need to wonder what if.

 

They also want you to agree while the government is paying most of your notice pay. Stalling into another month hurts their wallet.

Edited June 19, 2020 by Emmzzi