EMPLOYMENT issues if a firm moves location

I was asked a hypathetical question today by an old colleage from a previous job because the guy was extremely worried about his job as he can see things are changing although I have to say this has not happened yet.

The company who he works for is based in London in Sales, the company now have a head office in the Midlands, they are gradually moving accross some staff to the Midlands so far just Accounts staff and now some other jobs as well. He has told me that he does not want to go to the Midlands, he has been with them for 14 years and prefers to stay in London. He is nerveous that if they say his job is moving to the Midlands that he will not get redundancy.

I felt that they could not make this a compulsory move and that if he did not want to go he should receive rendundancy. But because I am not exactly expert on Employment law I wondered if someone could advise?

Thanks
Tuttsi

[strangewayofsavin]

Re: EMPLOYMENT issues if a firm moves location

In answer to tutttsi post, in order to change a contract to such an extent, the contractee would of had to of had at least 1 months written notice of the changes, and moving an office from london to Birmingham, would leave the contract issuer open to constructive dissmissall.
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****ed yes stupid no

[Birdie]

Re: EMPLOYMENT issues if a firm moves location

Hi Tuttsie

I would suggest that he checks his contract for any relocation clauses and any policies/handbook to see if they have a relocation policy.

However, on the face of what you have said, he should be offered redundancy - NOT on the basis that the role was no longer needed, but because of the significant change to his terms and conditions.

Hope that helps.

[TUTTSI]

Re: EMPLOYMENT issues if a firm moves location

A good very point Birdie, I will get him to seek out his new contract about 2.5 years ago and handbook which when the company joined forced with others arround the country and moved it's opperation to the Midlands. The handbook was issued just before I left and I bet your bottom dollar they covered every angle from the employers point of view. I was self employed when I was at that company so I was easy to have got rid of. But they did me a huge favour as my new job is much better.

Tuttsi

Hi Tuttsie

I would suggest that he checks his contract for any relocation clauses and any policies/handbook to see if they have a relocation policy.

However, on the face of what you have said, he should be offered redundancy - NOT on the basis that the role was no longer needed, but because of the significant change to his terms and conditions.

Hope that helps.

[charitynjw]

Re: EMPLOYMENT issues if a firm moves location

Also worth looking at:-

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461