Reduced Working Hours

cronos

I've been working in my company approx 10 years. The entire company is being asked to work a 3.5 day week now for the next 6 months.

We have been sent a document we have been told we need to sign to agree to this. I'm just wondering, if I don't sign this document are they required to offer a redundancy (assuming they won't just allow a normal 5 day week).

A redundancy may better allow me to cover my financial commitments.

lashes34

I wouldnt think so as the role isnt redundant - its just reduced.

wally1990

Your not redundant at all and wouldn't meet the conditions for redundancy

cronos

Then what happens if you don't agree/sign?

Jacovs

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/contracts_of_employment/being_asked_to_reduce_your_hours_of_work.html

cronos

Jacovs wrote: »

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/contracts_of_employment/being_asked_to_reduce_your_hours_of_work.html

I've read it already. It suggest redundancy is possible, I assume the alternate to redundancy is they just do it anyway without your agreement.

ladystardust

Jacovs wrote: »

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/contracts_of_employment/being_asked_to_reduce_your_hours_of_work.html

I was just going to post this! There are procedures in place to protect people. It all depends on your contract though.

Jacovs

cronos wrote: »

I've read it already. It suggest redundancy is possible, I assume the alternate to redundancy is they just do it anyway without your agreement.

Yes they could, but you could then resign and bring a constructive dismissal case against them. But as they warned, get proper legal advice first.

Mrs OBumble

lashes34 wrote: »

I wouldnt think so as the role isnt redundant - its just reduced.

The role as it was no longer exists: this is exactly what redundancy covers.

OMM 0000

cronos wrote: »

Then what happens if you don't agree/sign?

The company likely has almost no money right now, or has projected massive losses down the road, so if you force them to pay your full wage, you will be accelerating their demise.

They are trying to survive, hence why they have reduced your hours.

Have you done the sums on it. If you are paying tax at the higher rate then a drop to 3.5 days at full pro-rata salary might not mean as big a drop as you might think in monthly income and you have an extra 1.5 days off per week which will be nice. I'd be pushing for the 1.5 days off to be on Friday and Monday if I was taking it up also.

Mrs OBumble

lashes34 wrote: »

I wouldnt think so as the role isnt redundant - its just reduced.

The role as it was no longer exists: this is exactly what redundancy covers.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The role as it was no longer exists: this is exactly what redundancy covers.

The role no longer existing would mean 0 days per week were needed to fulfil it. The role is still there just being done in less hours per week.

That being said there is no reason you couldn't be given redundancy if it suits the company. I got made redundant as my role no longer existed despite spending the last month training my replacement to continue my job, the redundancy suited me though so I didn't press the matter.