My Redundancy Hell (My experience of Redundancy)

Member Name: sweetpea01

Product:	My experience of Redundancy
Date:	21/05/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Support from alot of people

Disadvantages: Being illegally made redundant

What an awful topic to write about but as I've gone through redundancy twice (nearly three times) I thought it was time to share my own feelings and opinions!

The first time I was nearly made redundant was when I was 18 and working as a secretary in a small law firm, they were downsizing and I was last one in, first one out basically. In the end after 6 weeks of not knowing what was happening they decided to keep me - however by this time I had already found a new job and had handed in my resignation letter. They weren't too impressed by me leaving, but considering they left me waiting around for such a long time I didn't really owe them anything. Unfortunately it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth when things happen that way, without a procedure in place.

The second time I was made redundant was last year in March again at another law firm, but this time as an assistant in the commercial and finance property department. Unfortunately my boss decided to leave after about a year of me being there as he was going to set up his own firm by himself and because of the little work he was taking with him I wasn't needed. He made it clear to the firm that I was to be kept as it was out of my control that he was leaving.

However when he left and took the work with him there was little for me to do. I assisted in other departments as and when but not enough for the company to actually warrant paying me! The firm I worked for had a great HR department and they had several meetings with me explain the process and procedure and made it clear they would help in finding me a new job and they did, they spoke to a lot of bigger city firms who wanted someone like me and I had a few interviews. The procedure was great, I was told that I would be given a glowing reference and they were sad to see me go. They gave me the choice of working out my notice (full pay) or working the rest of the week to finish off little bits and pieces and I would still get full pay. I opted to work the rest of the week. The day came for me to leave and they handed me my cheque and P45 and off I went!

I was out of work for two and a half months last year and when you have bills to pay it seems like a lifetime. Unfortunately my back ground is property and there was little work at the time for it. I didn't sign on due to obtaining quite a bit of temp work which was fortunate. I didn't seek any advice or help, it was as if I was denying the whole thing and carrying on in a world of my own.

I eventually took a job in June (in property) and yet again I along with 8 others were made redundant at the end of February. We knew something was going on as 3 members of staff were made redundant in January but we were told our jobs are safe. I found out that I was being made redundant by ringing my boss as I'd received a text message from a former colleague. I just so happened to be on my way to France for a holiday when I made the phone call. My ex-boss explained that they just simply didn't have the money anymore and cannot see how they would pay us. I told him that my contract says a months paid notice and he informed me he doesn't know when he could pay this. At that point I was in tears, apart from being upset incredibly angry.

It took me two months to receive a letter in writing stating I was being made redundant and a further month to have my P45. Yet no cheque for my 5 weeks worth of pay I was due. I spoke to my boss and he explained that they were waiting for money and he would try and pay then.

I decided to take advice from ACAS (www.acas.co.uk) which have a great website detailing what is the law and how you can obtain what you are owed. I gave my boss a 7 day letter ordering him to pay me. Still no avail and from end of Feb and now end of May I have still not been paid nor has anyone else from that company. The company is still trading so therefore I am not a creditor. After further advice I submitted a claim to Northampton County Court (who deal with small claims) and finally after months of trying to get my money the company have admitted they whole me the full amount which is just over £2,200.00! and they will pay me in installments of £500.00 per month until the debt is cleared. By issuing a claim they now have a County Court Judgment against the company and if they now refuse to pay a warrant will be issued against them. This is not the route I wanted to go down but unfortunately sometimes there is no other way.

My ex-boss did not have a redundancy procedure in place and has broken so many laws by making people redundant within a short space of time and also by being in breach of contracts. I don't really have any sympathy for him as he's made quite a few people suffer terribly.

Fortunately I have now found another job (again after 2 months) at yet another law firm and not surprisingly in property! My experiences have been good and bad. Despite the worry about bills and generally surviving, it always helps (somewhat) if the company supports you in your redundancy rather than cutting all ties and landing you in it.

I found ACAS and the Citizens Advice incredibly helpful and supporting. They gave me 110% customer service and I even had my own representative to speak to and a reference number which always makes you feel like you're actually getting somewhere. I think if your suffering from a bad redundancy with your employer legal advice should always be sought (through Legal Aid preferably if you qualify for it) as a solicitor will advise exactly what position you are in and how you can be helped, they can also assist in claiming any money you are due in applicable.

Sorry if this review has rambled on for a bit too long but I just thought I'd share my two/ three very different experiences of redundancy and would like to tell people that you're not alone in this whole redundancy saga! And there are plenty of people who can really help.

Summary: I found more people I found to support me helped