Career-break conundrum

Mylargo

Hi
I have been on a career break with An Post for over six years now but have been trying to get back into the company for almost three years. Each time I write to them I get the standard 'We'll sort you when a position becomes available". The chances of this happening are second to none during the current economic climate. The thing is during this period they have been dishing out redundancies and insist that my situation means I cannot apply for this redundancy. This is despite my repeated efforts to get back in there. Obviously my position has been made redundant in the company as they are apparently not recruiting any one. Therefore I believe that I should be entitled to some redundancy and have queried them on this on a couple of occasions. They have never even bothered to reply. I have seven to eight years invested in the company and they seem happy enough to just ignore me and hope I go away.
Does anyone have any info out there on this subject, or advice. I can't seem to find anything particular to my situation on the websites I have browsed. But I could be reading until kingdom come to get through everything.
Appreciate it Cheers

horse7

Was there a stipulation on the time period of your career break.

Mylargo

Up to five years or longer if it was convenient to both parties.
Cheers

Mrs OBumble

What advice have your union given you? They will have a more informed view about what the company is up to.

Mylargo

The local CWU have just toed the company line and I can categorically say they have been of no assistance whatsoever. The fact that I am not on the floor does not help my matter though I am 'officially' still an employee of An Post and must adhere to constraints of the career break such as not taking up employment with a company that could be deemed a competitor to my employer. I don't mean to come down heavy on the union I am just stating it as it is.

RubyWoo83

Mylargo wrote: »

The local CWU have just toed the company line and I can categorically say they have been of no assistance whatsoever. The fact that I am not on the floor does not help my matter though I am 'officially' still an employee of An Post and must adhere to constraints of the career break such as not taking up employment with a company that could be deemed a competitor to my employer. I don't mean to come down heavy on the union I am just stating it as it is.

Had a similar situation with CWU a number of years ago. I would go to Citizens Information for advice. Usually they would have a solicitor available that can give you advice at certain times of the week.

starlit

Is there a recruitment freeze at the moment in AnPost? Until they can afford to take you back on I say but you are still in a position with them so you are entitled to a job with them you are technically still with them just on a career break. They probably give you first priority once a vacancy arises.