Hi, I am speaking with HR today about my future at the company and wanted to know what I should expect…

I work for a global company and they want to relocate my position to Switzerland. I don’t want to go so the only option seems to be to exit. (because of the company structure an internal move is not on)

I am not being made redundant, we need to mutually agree an exit strategy. I don’t want it to get all legal but I do want to make sure I am looked after financially.

Is there a “standard” amount I should ask for? Been at the company 4 years, no warnings, good record etc etc…

Thanks

I thought this was gonna be about zone 3 riding and max HR…

I’d have thought you could argue that by telling you your job is moving to Switzerland they are making you redundant!

I went throught something broadly similar when I left my last job – they consolidated my department which had been split between Edinburgh and London to one location, Edinburgh, which wasn’t the one I was at. We were offered relocation or redundancy – redundancy as the role no longer existed (in the specified location).

My contract did state my place of work so they could not reasonably expect me to work at the other location. I’d say this was a redundancy situation for you too.

OK thanks. So anything that I can get over statutory minimum is good then!

I’ve just gone through this process. Basically as njee20 states they ARE making you redundant.

Ask HR if they are making the position redundant or you??

It is illegal to make the person redundant, moving your job to a chocolate munching army knife toting country isn’t fair and isn’t an acceptable alternative.

Therefore they will have to get you to leave the business by either sacking you for good reason or ‘sweetening’ you to leave via an compromise agreement which basically is a contract between you and them. It’s the norm for the employer to pay for the employee to have free legal and independent advice (mine was £300) and get a specialist employment lawyer to review it.

It should be financially worth your while, don’t accept the minimum as that is about 4 weeks pay. You will make their life difficult if you refuse to go so get ready to negotiate. I wouldn’t take anything less than four months pay. Depending on what you do I’d ask for more. If you think you wil genuinely struggle to find another role than do your research and evidence why you should want more.

If you need any help feel free to call me on 07885 733038 and i’ll give you some pointers.

geordiemick, thank you. The position is resally busy and it is “global” although I sit in the UK.

I have heard of others within the business being offered 6 months salary to go quietly but wasn’t sure if there is a “standard”

As I live on the Isle of Wight it looks like I will be commuting to get another job doing the same sort of thing. Either that or I look at doing something different. Need to way up the work/life balance.

Thanks for adding a contact. I will let you know if I need help!

HR advice?

They are all a bunch of plums.

Roblilly – Member

OK thanks. So anything that I can get over statutory minimum is good then!

Be careful, it’s a statutory minimum with regards to no of weeks paid. The amount amount paid per week is capped at c£400.

If you have any income protection insurance check the small print to see if a compromise agreement could give the insurance co scope to wriggle out of paying.

Bastards, trying to relocate you to Switzerland, with all those ****’ Alps and chairlifts and toblerones and…er……hang on a minute…..you DON’T want to go?

George, they don’t “really” want me to relocate…they want to employ a more “Swiss” person in our head office in Switzerland!

I did relocate once for this company already, I lived near Mt Bromont in Quebec for a year and got royally shafted financially!