We are a group of office workers at a large company, but our jobs are disappearing because they’ve brought in a new system. Instead of being offered redundancy we’ve been asked to apply for manual jobs in the warehouse on lower pay and a shift system. Do we have to do this, or are we entitled to take redundancy?
You don’t have to apply for different jobs within the firm where your working conditions and pay are inferior. But you cannot claim a redundancy payment until you have been dismissed, so you should probably sit tight and wait for the firm to come up with a redundancy package. If they try to alter your conditions of employment you may be able to resign and claim the conduct of your employer amounts to dismissal. Take detailed legal advice first.