#union advice

If you have a recognised union (or even an unrecognised one) that you are a member of, get in contact with them immediately. Odds are, if there is a mass redundancy, they will already know about it.

If there are more than 20 folks being made redundant, the redundancies are in one establishment, and the redundancies are being proposed in a 90 day period, then your employer is required by law to hold a collective consultation. Of course, quite often your employer will not know the law around this, and its worth arguing that you should have a collective consultation anyway. The consultation wont necessarily stop the redundancies, but it gives you time to plan.

Additionally, if anyone who is being made redundant is either pregnant, on maternity/paternity leave, or on adoption leave, then your employer must find alternate work for them if there is any available.

Your employer can only make people redundant if they have no more use for your role. If your employer is looking to use contractors, or alternate provisions to fulfil that role, you can make a fairly good argument that the dismissal is unfair or wrongful. Protections are weird in the UK around this if you haven't worked at a place for at least 2 years, but again with all of this, argue the point anyway.

Your employer probably wont know any of the law around redundancy and it is good to push that fact as a strategy. It is also very useful to be talking to all your co-workers in this process. Make sure everyone knows what is going on, their rights, and what you can all do collectively.

Ideally you will have done some workplace organising beforehand, but these things can happen unexpectantly.

Finally, if you do not have any union representation nearby, join a union as soon as you can (*cough* IWW *cough*). They may not be able to help you with something on such short notice, but it is another strategy to scare the boss shitless if they think you're going to be a problem for them.

See also: https://www.tumblr.com/tips-from-a-tech-worker/725120769477214208/how-do-i-improve-my-workplace?source=share

All of this information is available on the ACAS website, and you can contact them free of charge. Also recommend Citizens Advice as well. Sources used: - https://www.acas.org.uk/redundancy - https://www.acas.org.uk/your-rights-during-redundancy - https://www.acas.org.uk/redundancy-protection-for-pregnancy-and-new-parents - https://www.acas.org.uk/collective-consultation-redundancy - https://www.acas.org.uk/dismissals/unfair-dismissal - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/redundancy/check-your-rights-if-youre-made-redundant/

Howdy folks,

Been a little quiet as of the last few months. Basically, I was made redundant / quit my job and have been unemployed since February.

Honestly, I am not too bothered about it. It was a fairly mutual agreement, and from the sounds of it, I was lucky to get out when I did!

Since then I've been getting as involved in IWW organising as I can whilst also applying for jobs. It's been quite enjoyable! But... It would be nice to have some money...

I'll be trying to keep this account active, but if I go silent then now you know why!

Also, and I am bracing myself for this, I am happy to give advice in terms of union organising with folks. I am no expert, but I can tell you what has worked for me and others I know, and what hasn't!

Otherwise, hope everyone's been doing well!