reapply for the job I've been doing for years

damanloox

Hi,

Anyone has any idea if my employer can ask/force me to reapply for the job I've been doing for past few years?

Thx,

Zambia

I cant say for sure but I know a few people in fairly big companys (HP) that have had to do it.

damanloox

yep, they've just started asking people here (I'm guessing I'll be asked as well) but I'm not sure on what grounds they do that...
And if I refuse they would probably terminate my employment (why would they bother with the whole procedure otherwise) - and I'm not sure if "did not reapply for the job" is http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/unemployment-and-redundancy/dismissal/fair-grounds-for-dismissal

FreudianSlippers

There are many factors which will determine whether or not they can do this. First place to look is your employment contract. Secondly, they usually can do this in redundancy positions.

It's really impossible for any of us to determine whether it is acceptable in your case - any opinions will be mere speculation. If you are concerned about the ability of the company to do this, contact your HR representative and politely ask them to point out the authority to do this (assuming it isn't already clear that it is a redundancy position - which may still be dubious grounds).

In short, there is no quick and clean answer to your question - contact your HR representative and if necessary a solicitor.

JohnK

I'd be surprised if its actually reapplying for your exact existing job (ie, same job title/description) but I think what usually happens is they make the current job obsolete/redundant and then encourage you to apply for a completely new different job that does virtually the same work but at perhaps different conditions & salary. You do hear of that happening from time to time.

damanloox

"(...)completely new different job that does virtually the same work but at perhaps different conditions & salary" - yep, I figured that out. I'm just not sure hwo they can make 90% of the staff "redundant". Neat way to save some money (by paying less).
I'm just not sure how all the employment law applies here - you either make an employee redundant or not. Forcing emplyees to reapply for the job (for less) is so pathetic.

JohnK

Tesco in Douglas, Cork tried something similar not too long ago. Not sure how it ended up but you can read about it in the links below. You might find something relevant there.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/21/tesco-strike-row-ireland
http://www.corkindependent.com/local-news/local-news/tesco-workers-to-consider-action-/
http://www.politics.ie/current-affairs/61454-tesco-tries-dismissal-redundancy.html

FreudianSlippers

damanloox wrote: »

"(...)completely new different job that does virtually the same work but at perhaps different conditions & salary" - yep, I figured that out. I'm just not sure hwo they can make 90% of the staff "redundant". Neat way to save some money (by paying less).
I'm just not sure how all the employment law applies here - you either make an employee redundant or not. Forcing emplyees to reapply for the job (for less) is so pathetic.

Remember, staff are never made redundant... positions are made redundant!