Can I demand redundancy instead of alternative work?

Textra_vision

On Monday I was told my team is to be disbanded and we'd be reassigned new roles with a different team. They were hazy on the details but this role would be substantially different - new field of work, new job title etc. As far as I'm aware (nothing in writing yet), this new role wouldn't involve any extra travel or any reduction in salary/benefits.

A few people on my team are not taking it well, and are saying they're going to refuse and demand redundancy. A coworker contacted a union rep who told her that we're entitled to redundancy if need for our job no longer exists. But after reading around online, it seems we're not entitled to redundancy if we refuse reasonable alternative work - so I'm confused.

I'm looking for another job in the meantime, but I honestly think they are trying to force us to quit instead of forking out for redundancy so I'm not inclined to do them any favours.

Has anyone any insight on this, or had any experience with a similar situation? Have I any choice here?

Walter Bishop

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/redundancy/redundancy_procedures.html

If your employer makes you a reasonable offer of alternative work, and you refuse it, you may lose your entitlement to a redundancy payment. Generally, alternatives which involve a loss of status or worsening of the terms and conditions of your employment would not be considered reasonable. Similarly, you may be justified in refusing an offer that involves you travelling an unreasonable distance to work.

Sounds like you are out of luck on redundancy, if they provide other work with no worsening of pay, location etc.

patmahe

Textra_vision wrote: »

On Monday I was told my team is to be disbanded and we'd be reassigned new roles with a different team. They were hazy on the details but this role would be substantially different - new field of work, new job title etc. As far as I'm aware (nothing in writing yet), this new role wouldn't involve any extra travel or any reduction in salary/benefits.

A few people on my team are not taking it well, and are saying they're going to refuse and demand redundancy. A coworker contacted a union rep who told her that we're entitled to redundancy if need for our job no longer exists. But after reading around online, it seems we're not entitled to redundancy if we refuse reasonable alternative work - so I'm confused.

I'm looking for another job in the meantime, but I honestly think they are trying to force us to quit instead of forking out for redundancy so I'm not inclined to do them any favours.

Has anyone any insight on this, or had any experience with a similar situation? Have I any choice here?

I believe that is called constructive dismissal. Could be worth a look.

Glass fused light

As there are a number of you your better option may be to employ a solicitor who specialises in employment law to act as a group negotiator.

While the union may be great the overall involvement of the union in the business may be a conflict of interest when it comes to your team and their needs. The aim is to negotiate the best possible outcome for everyone as part of the group. You each have an opportunity to have an individual consultation and the solicitor can advise straigh off the bat on what is legal and/or reasonable from the businesses point of view. Plus the solicitor is aware of individual needs and aims and how that fits in to what the business wants and let the negotiations start from there.