Company moving away, consultation advice required

[orange n blue]

My company has just announced that we are to be merged with our head office. We have been told that there will be jobs for us at the new site but it is 60 miles away so not really practical.
We have been asked to elect representatives and will be having a consultation period to discuss the move.
what is likely to be involved in this process.
Is it likely that the decision could be overturned or is it normally a case of just ticking boxes?
Never had dealings with anything like this before.
Still in a bit of a daze after receiving the shocking news.
Any advice would be welcome.

[davepoth]

orange n blue said:

My company has just announced that we are to be merged with our head office. We have been told that there will be jobs for us at the new site but it is 60 miles away so not really practical.
We have been asked to elect representatives and will be having a consultation period to discuss the move.
what is likely to be involved in this process.
Is it likely that the decision could be overturned or is it normally a case of just ticking boxes?
Never had dealings with anything like this before.
Still in a bit of a daze after receiving the shocking news.
Any advice would be welcome.

The Consultation Period is almost always a box ticking exercise, unfortunately.

[orange n blue]

Guess we are all screwed then

[GadgeS3C]

Sorry to hear your news. I'm afraid I have to agree with Davepoth. My employer (well up until last month) took over quite a few other companies over the last few years. The outcome was pretty much always the same, either the site was maintained or some people were moved and the remainder closed down. Consultation is pretty much a box ticking exercise. Hope I'm wrong in this case but I'd be at least prepared for the worst.

[davey68]

I have this exact same situation potentially happening to me. Do they give you any options (ie redundancy if you don't fancy the extra miles commute) or do they give you a take it or leave it ultimatum? I would think redundancy or relocation package should be offered but thats probably wishful thinking.

[orange n blue]

legally we are entitled to redundancy if the journey to the new site is considered unreasonable. I currently live 10 min cycle ride from the office and would consider the Hour and half drive on the M25 unreasonable, so should be able to opt for redundancy. However, if I can find a way to fight to keep my job where it is, that would be my preferred option.

[405dogvan]

orange n blue said:

legally we are entitled to redundancy if the journey to the new site is considered unreasonable. I currently live 10 min cycle ride from the office and would consider the Hour and half drive on the M25 unreasonable, so should be able to opt for redundancy. However, if I can find a way to fight to keep my job where it is, that would be my preferred option.

Unless you have an astonishing plan to show that your office is not only vital but can offer more than the merged offices ever could - something they've not already considered and which is more than 'you need us here' - you're probably wasting effort which would better be spent finding a job elsewhere.

Your only real hope is that so many of your colleagues opt for redundancy to the extent your employer realises they'll have to recruit new people/that the loss of skills will be too big to deal with - but they've really likely gauged that already (no harm in reminding people that the fewer people who accept the move - the more likely they may change their mind tho).

In particular, you'd expect to be offered a package of renumeration based on any additional travel but it will only consider a limited period (perhaps 3,6,9,12 months) and after that people will - effectively - be working for less money in many cases - remind them of this!!

I've been in a similar situation myself - being close to your place of work is a fantastic benefit too-few people appreciate wheras commuting 120 miles a day (or just 90 in my case) is something few people, if anyone, should even consider BUT if there's nothing else locally, you MIGHT see this as a sponsored relocation!?