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We are currently being issued with new contacts - our firm was bought out a couple of years ago, but we are now going on to their payroll.
On the contract that that we are being asked to sign there is a clause which states that they could close the office and offer some money towards relocation.
Is it possible that they could say they are moving the office, but I didn't want to move, they would say 'tough' and its a way of getting rid of people without paying redundancy?
Quite possibly. simply refuse to sign the new contract and write them a letter stating you expect your contractual terms to continue as they were. Yo cannot have a new contract imposed upon you.
I would get real professional advice - join a union - they are good at this stuff
what Teej says basically. in your current contract there will be a clause that says any changes to your contract have to be agreed by both sides.
refuse and talk to CAB, ACAS or union rep.
It may just be me 'over-thinking' and letting my imagination get carried away!
Will look into finding a union.
Just make sure you continue to work to your current contract whilst seeking advice
[i]Is it possible that they could say they are moving the office, but I didn't want to move, they would say 'tough' and its a way of getting rid of people without paying redundancy?[/i]
Can sometimes depend on how far they are moving. If the new office is within a 'reasonable' distance from the old, they could say that any refusal will be classed as resignation.
If it's further than a 'reasonable' distance, then they can give you the option to move (and help with expenses if they want), but if you don't then they have to offer redundancy.
Of course, 'reasonable' is up for debate, but I've worked for a place where a particular department was moved to an office about 40 miles away, and that was far enough to trigger redundancies for those that wouldn't go. I've also worked for another company that closed an office and moved everyone to another about 15 miles away, and that was a 'move or leave' scenario.