BS: been made redundant

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: The PA
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:48 AM

Partridge, try a website called 'Jobsite'. They were really helpful, found my husband a great job. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: The PA
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:42 AM

I was made redundant three years ago this week. My husband was one of the thousands dumped by John Towers (MG Rover) and his cronies at Longbridge, two years ago. Anyone and everyone, and I mean everyone, who is made redundant has my greatest sympathy, especially if they didn't see it coming, like the printing company across the road from where I work now, who turned up for work last Wednesday to find the whole place shut.
Unless you've experienced it you have no idea what its like.
Good Luck finding another job.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Bagpuss
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:24 AM

It might be worth contacting your local CAB too, just to find out where you stand.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Maryrrf
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 06:48 AM

Although it's hard, it's best to take a positive, proactive attitude and just start going after something else. Sounds like you were very unhappy where you were, so a new job has a good chance of being a better fit than the old. Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 06:42 AM

Pat,
Go see your G.P. now and tell them you are under stress and lacking will or drive. Go in the sick, you will receive £78.00 a week benefit as from that day. You can leave work now, won't affect your redundancy or pay. At least you will have an income when it closes.And sicken the creep.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST,Elfcall
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 06:36 AM

It may be redundancy- but if it is as you say there has also been a 'campaign' to force you to resign or seek redundancy then there may also be a case of constructive dismissal. Make sure your legal advice is sound and from an employment specialist. Depending where you are in the country this may even be available free of charge.

Elf

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 06:00 AM

If you have access to your bosses computer (or login) at work it is a nice touch to sign him up for various innapropriate newsletters the day you leave and let it slip that you have found 'evidence' of whatever. Depends how nasty you want to be. Anything from S&M (pure embarrasement) to Paedeophilia (Illegal).

I have been made redundant once - No problem with that - but I also had to leave one job when I was involved in disciplinary procedings for something that the boss did not like and I did not even do; My email addy had been posted on a news group by someone else! I told them I could no longer work with her. Got 3 months pay ex-gratia, one month in lieu iof notice and was working again the following week. I also took great delight in finding out that within the year she had left due to a stress related illness and has not worked since. Nothing to do with me of course;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 02:50 AM

I was made redundant whilst working in Amsterdam and within 2 weeks I had another job, which was much better than the one I was made redundant from.
The company was closing its location in Amsterdam (tax reasons) and I was offered extra money to stay on and help close the books down. It was tempting. However, I decided it would be better to find a job quickly whilst I still had enthusiasm and still employed. I went straight to a headhunter and Bob's yer uncle.
Anyway my old company were gob smacked, but they couldn't do much about it, and I still got my deal.

So don't wait around, just get out there and get yourself a new job.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Gurney
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 02:28 AM

Partridge, the Villan's original post makes sense. Hold your tongue and temper, and leave on the best terms you can manage.
Pesonnel /human resources(Yechh) managers phone each other for references, despite CV/resumes, and I once happened to overhear "No, we wouldn't employ him again."

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 02:25 AM

Sounds to me like you would be better off taking the voluntary route.

Redundancy of any kind is rarely fun at the time, but 6 months after mine I wished it had come years before! Now retiring 20 years on and I couldn't possibly have been as well off with my old career - it really was the best thing that ever happened to me, workwise.

The main thing is to not beat yourself up about it, you know your own worth, even if you think they don't.

Terry

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Rowan
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 01:37 AM

Go, Pat!
If you are the admin dept, I'd agree with whoever it was described "redundancy" as inappropriate. It sounds to me as though your predecessors (all "sacked") and you have been "retrenched", as the admin will still be required and thus the position filled. People are never redundant; it's the position that's redundant. Different industries and different jurisdictions (I'm writing in Australia) have different terms and payout procedures so I can only agree with those who offer you support.

Cheers, Rowan
who is secretary of the local branch of his union but can't be of more help

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Partridge
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 01:16 AM

I'm in the UK and the company is a small one, at present 7 employees. I am the admin department there is no HR or union. No one in my present job has lasted as long as i have, Every single one of them has been sacked. I take some pride in lasting as long as I did and doing a good job. I'm taking legal advise on thursday, which is the time limit I have for making a choice on whther i take the voluntery redundancy. I will be hitting him in the pocket which he will hate. I will leave with my head held high and my sanity in tact. My co workers all agree that the treatment I have put up with for the last three months has been designed to try and get me the sack or to walk. I have been looking for another job, but there are very few opportunities at the moment. I'll keep trying.
Thanks for your support, its very much appreciated.
love
Pat

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: kendall
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 07:07 PM

Redundant. that is such a demeaning word!

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it."

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: artbrooks
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:49 PM

If you are in the US (and "redundancy" isn't a word that is commonly used here, so probably not), there is an entitlement to unemployment compensation unless (1) you job was temporary and scheduled to end when it did or (2) you were separated for cause. And the boss pays for this benefit. Where-ever you are, there are going to be people available to advise you on your rights...seek them out and make sure that you get what you are legally entitled to. On the other hand, stick to your determination to make sure that [you] get everything that [you're] entitled to and no more. As a former Human Resources guy, let me assure you that there are easy - and legal - ways for a former boss to screw you up one side and down the other without ever doing a thing illegal (in any jurisdiction).

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:06 PM

Sorry this has happened Pat; wanting revenge is a natural reaction but not a good one...yes he can give you a written reference but many are taken up by phone these days so he could say anything he wants outwith the reference. Walk away with your head up and forget him.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 05:34 PM

Villan

I hear you loud and clear.

I think it's important though not be too intimidated either.

This thread is full of excellent advice, none of which I disagree with.

I would like, (especially as we don't know the full details) to be as encouraging to Partridge as possible in whatever manner is most supportive, and that means leaving doors open and considering the strengths and weaknesses of every option in regard of Partridges's individual circumstances, rather than recommending some be shut before we have examined what is through them.

I feel that the bias in this thread currently leans towards doom and gloom a little. It could be that there are key factors in this case that could result in a very positive outcome should the route of litigation be pursued.

I would like to reiterate though that ultimately, this isn't about the boss, but about the welfare, happiness and ultimately financial security of partridge.

If achieving those things happens to include the path that results in Boss's humiliation, then fine.

My point initially was that that shouldn't be a factor in the decision making process one way or the other.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Helen
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 05:09 PM

Hi Partridge,

I was bullied mercilessly for 14 months till mid-2000 and finally he got me out of the job, which was a temporary contract so I didn't get a redundancy payout or anything. Just the boot.

I was under enormous stress and got very sick afterwards with a chronic condition, which is now under control. I having been clawing my way back ever since, but I started a run of casual and/or part time work, firstly teaching at adult vocational colleges, then temporary work through labour hire companies (pays peanuts, no conditions like annual or sick leave, but better than nothing, and a foot in the door to get myself known by potential employers and get relevant experience), then a temporary contract with a government agency, then back to the labour hire company because I was asked to come back to the previous government place I had worked at, and now - finally! - a permanent job in a government agency where conditions and pay are fantastic. So I have been in work ever since, had a couple of false starts and managed to get the sort of work I wanted.

I can only look back on the time when I was kicked out as a blessed relief. I waited 9 months to get revenge on the bullying b#$%@^d but it was sweet revenge, and very fitting. I still laugh about it. But I had also reported him at the time to the HR department, the Union and the big boss.

No joy there, but it was part of the final revenge, which was to corner him outside a public meeting that I knew he had to attend, and quietly tell him what I thought of him and then drop the bombshell that I had spoken on a number of occasions about him, not only to HR and the Union, but also to his boss, with whom he has quarterly performance reviews. (I even had my "exit interview" with his boss rather than with HR because she phoned me on my last day and asked me to come and see her. That is very, very rare. Usually someone in HR acts bored and asks why you are leaving and are you happy or unhappy with anything.)

Therefore, by telling him about my meetings with his boss, over the previous 3/4 of a year while he had been waffling on about how great he was to the boss (he is threatened anyway by women managers) she had known about what he had done to me and was evaluating him on that as well. By telling him 9 months after I left, he had to replay every meeting with the boss in his head to re-check what he had said or done. He was always a mess before his performance reviews. He is very high up in a large organisation, and he is on a contract himself. He got sidelined into a lesser job a couple of years ago. I wonder why.

So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I've been there and I know.

This website saved my sanity and my life. I am eternally grateful to Tim Field. Lots of reading there. Make sure you read the part about why bullies choose their targets. (Briefly: It's because you make him feel threatened because you are a good person and you care about your work.)

Bully OnLine:
Tim Field shares his unique insight into workplace bullying, a cause of stress and ill health and the basis of harassment, discrimination, abuse and violence

Tim Field strongly suggests saving yourself before worrying about taking legal action etc. It's probably more likely that you won't get any joy out of legal action, and the stress will be overwhelming. But, make sure you get everything you are entitled to. Go to the Union and find out the way it is all supposed to work.

Voluntary redundancy is a very specific process, with very specific guidelines about when it can be applied to a position, which usually means that the position is being abolished, and the employee is therefore not required as well, i.e. no alternative positions available. It also usually means that the position can't be filled by someone else when you leave (because it is a redundant position) so often employers/bosses try to say it's a redundancy and it isn't. But don't play that card unless you want to keep your job because *usually* redundancy packages are very good, with enough money to tide you over while you find somewhere to work with *good* people.

(There is a Google Ad link down the bottom of this page right now while I am typing which says it all: "Redundancy: frightening for some but it could be an opportunity for you".)

Look after yourself - in every way.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:02 PM

Guest lox

thats all very well, but have you seen somebody having to put up with the politics involved in trying to discredit your boss. I have and the person pushing the claims who was 100% correct, finished up a nervous wreck, becuase she couldn't handle the stress involved.

Don't do that unless you have nerves of steel and can wait lengthy periods of time whilst he goes away and covers his tracks etc.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:35 PM

Though if after talking to your union rep you find that there are grounds for hauling his ass over the coals (so to speak), a reference from him will become less relevant, as his authourity to judge your suitability for any post will be undermined and superceded by any official judgements made as a result of action taken.

ie if he is discredited, then anything nasty he might say about you can be ignored.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:26 PM

Redundancy is never exactly enjoyable , but check your rights with your union Rep , get a reference from him , and THEN hammer him for all you can get !

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:20 PM

Ask him for a reference now, so you can apply for another job in good time. Once you have a good reference he can't take it back can he? Also make sure you have a character reference to back it up, so he will look bad if he tries to retract it because you've pushed for your rights.
There are lots of jobs out there, though not all of them are worth doing, but you needn't starve till you find something suitable.
Good luck
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:15 PM

It doesn't pay to upset your boss when you are looking for a new job. So keep the lid on it and hope you get a good review that you can offer up to your new company.
If you are in a union, make sure you know what your rights are and use those rights to get the best deal you can.
Above all do your job to your best abilty until the day you have left. You can then be proud of yourself, and your ex boss cannot criticise you. Although they are not allowed to openly make poor references. Try and make him wish he hadn't got rid of you.
Your main concern now is to find another job, which entitles you to go to as many interviews as you like in order to get a new job. Nowt he can do about that.
So get those CV's out to prospective new employers.
I wish you good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Cats
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:05 PM

Hi Partridge. Are you in the UK? If so he hasn't given you your statutary notice period for redundancy. Have you seen your Union rep? Make sure you get all that you are legally entitled to as a pay out.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: gnu
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:02 PM

Ahhh... a bully? Sounds like the asshole is practicing an age old strategy. Get rid of all the compentent employees and you secure your own position.

Don't humiliate him. Don't do a thing. Move on. And, when you are sitting pretty in a new job, ring up the big boss at the old place and inform him as to his loss when you were offed and as to his loss with the asshole.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:00 PM

Sorry to hear that Partridge. Cruel timing. So please let us know what you can turn your hand to and I know it's only happened, but any thoughts what you'll do ?

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 02:59 PM

Get what you can, and if that happens to include humiliating him don't give it a thought. Either way it's not your concern.

You didn't get that Job out of concern for your boss, you got it to make ends meet. So now that you are being made redundant, you need to bear in mind that the future is uncertain and that ends will need to be kept met until you get another job.

Do anything and everything to ensure that you are properly catered for. If that means (if I read between the lines correctly) that you go for some kind of compensation to his detriment then so be it.

Subject: RE: BS: been made redundant
From: fat B****rd
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 02:54 PM

Sorry to hear that, Partridge. Hang in there and all the best to you.

Subject: BS: been made redundant
From: Partridge
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 02:50 PM

Well my bully of a boss has finaly shown his colours and i've been offered renundancy voluntery or otherwise. He has made my time at work over the last three months a nightmare. I want to make sure that I get everything that I'm entitled to and no more.
He chose the 1 year anniversary of my fathers death to tell me. My finishing date is a week before christmas.
Funnily enough I don't hate him I just feel very sorry for him. I think(know) he has mental problems.
I'm in some ways glad that I've been given the kick up the backside to move on.
Everything happens for the best hopefully - why do I want to humiliate him........I know that karma wise thats not good. help!
Pat x