I've been made redundant, "due to economic reasons"

[Meerman]

Yeah so I'm getting fired, along with 7 other colleagues, effective on March 1st. Reason is that my employer doesn't have plenty of work for us due to certain big clients going bankrupt due to the economic difficulties we're finding ourselves in right now, so it's not really a surprise. There's a 70% decrease in new orders. 5 colleagues remain (it's not a big company).

I've been working there for 5 years now, but I'm not too fussed about my sacking. I was getting annoyed with the place and its policy anyway so it's time for a change. It's not that I'll be out of work for long either because people that do what I do (3D CAD engineer with Tekla Structures) are very sought after over here.

The thing is that I've been detached to another company for a while now, since the end of August 2008, because this company (that hired me) was in dire need of a CAD draftsman due to someone leaving their company. My employer and this company have good bonds, hence the temporary exchange. And the co-operation goes splendid as well to say the least - there is a wish to 'assimilate' me. But I'm still working for my current employer so we couldn't really make a deal, unless I offer my resignation.

But that's changed now since I've heard that I've been made redundant about 1.5 weeks ago.

My current employer doesn't want me to tell about my redundancy to this company I've been hired to. The reason my employer gave me is that I still make a pretty penny for him, and if the market gets stronger again, he hopes to keep me employed. Strikes a bit odd to me, but I complied at first. But after a week of thinking I decided to choose for my own interests rather than my employer's. I've gone and talked to the manager here about the situation because I find they have the right to know what's going on. My employer doesn't yet know I have told them, and the people here have agreed not to tell him either and play along until he comes with the message himself (he said he would, but I can't wait for his actions, I feel the ball's in my court now).

It would leak out soon enough anyway, seeing I have about a month and a half to go, and I still have about 4 weeks of overtime hours to consume. That means I should take the whole month of February off, or have the hours paid out to me (which isn't really an option, seeing that taxes will be twice as high then). Hence I laid my cards on the table here.

So what are my rights in this case?

Can I demand not to get those overtime hours paid out to me? I'm asking because tax-wise it's better to just take those days off.
It's weird that I've been made redundant due to economic reasons when I'm still earning him good money, isn't it?
And it's even weirder that I was told not to say anything over here while it's 100% I will be fired, isn't it?

Anyway, discuss or something.

[Lucas]

Sorry to hear that Meermo.

I don't know how much Dutch Law differs from English Law and I know nothing about employment law anyway. Overtime and holidays usually depend on what's in your contract though. Might be worth having a look at that?

Otherwise, it's self-preservation. I don't think the financial situation will improve enough in a month that they will be able to keep you on, so get looking now.

[iknowgungfu]

Gutted mate.  But as you say, it may end up being a nice change for you.  I don't know much about employment law either, but I would always advise looking after yourself as you can guarantee that the manager/owner of a company will ultimatily look after themselves (especially in a smaller company).

Personally, I would try and push for the time off as you say...tax would be a bastard.  But, it does probably boil down to what it says in the contract.  Do you a union rep or something similar you can talk to about it?

As a radiographer we have Society or Radiographers as our union, each xray department normally has a Society Rep who we can go to advise about terms of employment and fair treatment etc.

[tubaros]

I agree, look out for yourself - everyone else does.

Man, this fucking feeling of impending doom that comes with the "current climate" is really doing my head in, big time.

[iknowgungfu]

I feel bad for the people I know who are in this sort of position.  Thankfully although I am an underpaid () NHS worker my job security is pretty high.  Hope it all ends well Meerman.

[raithrover]

Sad news, the other half was made redundant a few years ago but that turned out to be a positive thing and a turning point for her.

Ask yourself if your current employer is showing you any loyalty? As Tubs said you've got to put yourself first, despite years of hard work it counts for very little nowadays.

Thankfully the credit crunch hasn't arrived in the world of Fable 2, and it better not have!

[MIkes]

That sucks Rich.  I hope something comes along soon for you.

This is the second redundancy I've heard of this week.  A guy in the US in my WoW guild was part of his company's 9% that they let go off.  Unfortunately, I don't think this will be the last.

[tubaros]

Im in a small (4x) company so if anything did happen, Id not get anything. I got made redundant in 2003, and was given enough money to not have to work for nearly a whole year (although it got v tihn on cash at the end). At the time, it was ok, I didnt have kids, a mortgage outgoings etc, so could kick back, play games, have fun get stoned all the time, but now, with a beautiful 14month old daughter, a partner, mortgage, 2 other kids and other outgoings, Im not afraid to admit that Im really shitting myself at the moment. Sure, if anything did happen, Id do any work, even stacking shelves, however experienced i am now with it/web stuff, but it doesnt make it any less scary.

I say, Rich, you have no dependents, make now the time you use this opportunity to forge your own way, you may never be in the position again to. Take the leap.

[iknowgungfu]

Good advice Tubs.

[Lucas]

My employer has let quite a few people go. However, I'm told that my job is safe for now and that there are no other planned redundancies. Whoop.

[SurfEd]

Our whole software department was made redundant in october  They are trying to sell the software to another company and I'm being used as part of the deal and will join the new company who buy it. To stop me getting another job before the sale they have offered me a 'bonus'. So in a bizarre twist of fate I was made redundant, then kept on for 4 months on full pay, and then paid a nice bonus to have a new job. 

[Monty]

My entire department is being made redundant in the summer as our work is being out-sourced to Eastern Europe. We've known it was coming for almost a year now and, ironically given the 'current climate', its a business decision not a financial one. However, my team in particular are safe for a little while longer as the work we do isn't included in 'phase 1'. We have a meeting next month when we are supposed to be getting more concrete info such as dates.

[MIkes]

Not exactly the same, But I'm leaving my job in 6 weeks to move back to Melbourne and I have to start looking for a job there.  That should be fun.

[Madjeski]

Sorry to hear that Meerman this credit crunch seems to be more of a threat to us than terrorism at the moment! There was a debate of talkSPORT the other day regarding job losses and how many workers are now getting the choice to take a paycut or switch to part time hours to keep their jobs and I was surprised at the amount of people willing to do so. Would anyone here take a few thousands pounds / euro's of their annual income to keep working?

[iknowgungfu]

Suppose it depends on your chances of finding another full time job.  I would certainly consider it if there was some sort of assurance that full time would be made available agin when this grim economic crisis is over.  Meanwhile, whilst on part-time pay you could be scouting for other jobs

[MIkes]

Got a message from a mate in Melbourne last night - he got laid off too.  He worked in sales for a telelcomminucations co.

Plus MLC, the company I work for, made the finanacial times for laying off 120 people on Wednesday.

This is getting way too real....

[Meerman]

Yep, all around me people are being laid off due to the economic situation.

A wee update: I'm still detached to that company but only until my projects are done (in a week or 2 or so). The deadline of my redundancy has been pushed back to the end of March. Then I will take what's mine and take 5 weeks off (overtime hours I've accumulated).

[MIkes]

Travel around the world , mate!  GS Partay in Aus!

[DeanGS]

Looks like i could be in the same boat, my team is being cut down from 4 to 2 so my chances of keeping my job are rather slim. Oh and get this, I won't find out if it is me until the end of Feb!

[iknowgungfu]

Bloody hell..is anyone on here going to be able to keep their jobs?  Hope you are one of the lucky ones Dean.