Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:39 am
Greetings one and all,
I have just about recovered from too much bottle last night and no sleep, so thought I would update the progress so far on this topic...
I went to my redundancy meeting yesterday and was well stressed out by the time I got there as being a Monday morning rush traffic and hold-ups all the way. It was not all that far away, but took me well over 2 hours to get there. I did allow to leave early in case of traffic and as normal would have a look around the area to kill time, but I arrived with only 10 minutes to spare!
I was not nervous about the meeting as it was really only a formality from mail, emails and phone calls, but my head was thumping from the journey. I was greeted by my Contracts Manager and as always a friendly stance, but it was more getting to the reality of words from phone to face-to-face facts...
I was armed with all the research I had found online and had used a rough-idea-ready-reckoner from the authorities site, (http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employ ... ment_dueso) ... I knew what figures to expect and that all actual redundancy values would be tax and NI exempt and, yes, I was at least happy I was better clued up.
1. I was not too happy that he said that in contradiction to phone call that if I could not find another job, then the door was open FOR 6 months if I wanted to return to another contract... He clearly stated over the phone that I would be welcome even if taken redundancy... BUT... Now he says that I CANNOT return within 6 months! (I know it makes more sense that having paid me all that money, they would not want to see me straight back, but that is not what he said on the phone!)
2. He then told me that the meeting was formal notice that on 1st November, my contract is terminated unless they find another contract at least equal to my current contract conditions... This too was a slight contradiction, as he led me to believe that I could opt in or and out of redundancy as I choose, but is now clear that I must hold breath right up to 31st October in case they find another "suitable" contract, and if they do, then down the pan goes the redundancy money... Again, I understand the principles of all that, as they will be coughing up quite a few farthings, but was not as he implied on the phone.
I think maybe he did not have good experience or swatted up over these issues before phoning me, as I think it was unfair to be misled in that way. In mind that I have already lined up a career move (yet to be formally offered after legal and health matters), it will be a big blow to lose out on the redundancy I have worked so many years to entitlement.
So... Now I await into November for the legal and health matters regarding acceptance of new career (that is good as it does not break terms of redundancy, as although they have offered "pencilled in" my acceptance, they cannot do it formally until paperwork complete, which will not be until AFTER 1st November).
I have carefully calculated the redundancy package and indeed the extra work this month I am supposed to be doing (still awaiting final nod), but, even if all good, it seems that maybe actually far too low to offer F&F, but will certainly clear my IVA arrears and personal family loan for recent car repairs, a little contingency and indeed monies for working in-hand for new career, so it is not ALL bad... it is just would have been nice to close IVA, but I suppose, if all being well, and I get all this money, it will be for a good purpose regardless. Also, as I will be entitled to KEEP the redundancy money due to the clause in my IVA, it is not something that can be snatched and swallowed into the system... I will update this topic as and when and if any news
Gordon
Try to develop the present to change the future that will enhance new memories of the past... www.thedotdots.com
Outreaching World Concerns
I have just about recovered from too much bottle last night and no sleep, so thought I would update the progress so far on this topic...
I went to my redundancy meeting yesterday and was well stressed out by the time I got there as being a Monday morning rush traffic and hold-ups all the way. It was not all that far away, but took me well over 2 hours to get there. I did allow to leave early in case of traffic and as normal would have a look around the area to kill time, but I arrived with only 10 minutes to spare!
I was not nervous about the meeting as it was really only a formality from mail, emails and phone calls, but my head was thumping from the journey. I was greeted by my Contracts Manager and as always a friendly stance, but it was more getting to the reality of words from phone to face-to-face facts...
I was armed with all the research I had found online and had used a rough-idea-ready-reckoner from the authorities site, (http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employ ... ment_dueso) ... I knew what figures to expect and that all actual redundancy values would be tax and NI exempt and, yes, I was at least happy I was better clued up.
1. I was not too happy that he said that in contradiction to phone call that if I could not find another job, then the door was open FOR 6 months if I wanted to return to another contract... He clearly stated over the phone that I would be welcome even if taken redundancy... BUT... Now he says that I CANNOT return within 6 months! (I know it makes more sense that having paid me all that money, they would not want to see me straight back, but that is not what he said on the phone!)
2. He then told me that the meeting was formal notice that on 1st November, my contract is terminated unless they find another contract at least equal to my current contract conditions... This too was a slight contradiction, as he led me to believe that I could opt in or and out of redundancy as I choose, but is now clear that I must hold breath right up to 31st October in case they find another "suitable" contract, and if they do, then down the pan goes the redundancy money... Again, I understand the principles of all that, as they will be coughing up quite a few farthings, but was not as he implied on the phone.
I think maybe he did not have good experience or swatted up over these issues before phoning me, as I think it was unfair to be misled in that way. In mind that I have already lined up a career move (yet to be formally offered after legal and health matters), it will be a big blow to lose out on the redundancy I have worked so many years to entitlement.
So... Now I await into November for the legal and health matters regarding acceptance of new career (that is good as it does not break terms of redundancy, as although they have offered "pencilled in" my acceptance, they cannot do it formally until paperwork complete, which will not be until AFTER 1st November).
I have carefully calculated the redundancy package and indeed the extra work this month I am supposed to be doing (still awaiting final nod), but, even if all good, it seems that maybe actually far too low to offer F&F, but will certainly clear my IVA arrears and personal family loan for recent car repairs, a little contingency and indeed monies for working in-hand for new career, so it is not ALL bad... it is just would have been nice to close IVA, but I suppose, if all being well, and I get all this money, it will be for a good purpose regardless. Also, as I will be entitled to KEEP the redundancy money due to the clause in my IVA, it is not something that can be snatched and swallowed into the system... I will update this topic as and when and if any news
Gordon
Try to develop the present to change the future that will enhance new memories of the past... www.thedotdots.com
Outreaching World Concerns