Risk of redundancy = limbo

Hi there,

I am hoping that someone in this forum will be able to give me an answer to this question that has been bugging me for some time.

I work in the UK office of a large European company. In December 2007, my company announced that it would scale down it's operations in the UK and I was placed at risk of redundancy with a 3 month risk period and a 2 week final notice period.

During the time between December 2007 and December 2009, I have continually worked through 8 'at risk' periods, with a new at risk notice issued to me usually in the last week of my final notice period.

My question is, is there any maximum period of time that a company can continually keep an employee at risk of redundancy?

My current situation is obviously very stressful to myself and my family, and while I can see that my employer is benefiting from keeping me on a 3 month rolling retainer, I cannot believe that it is correct that this situation can continue for an indefinite period.

Hi

I am not too clear what your company are doing. Are they actually serving you notice of dismissal and then rescinding the notice partway through? If so, you do not have to accept that - you can tell them they you will leave at the end of the notice period initially given with your redundancy payment, thank you. If you would rather not leave then, of course, you can play along.

If they are just putting you at risk without formally serving notice of dismissal, then there is no illegality but I think you should consider raising a grievance over the stress that this action is causing you. If they do ever finally make you redundant, they will need to be able to show that they have followed a reasonable procedure in doing so if you were to bring a claim - this sort of behaviour won't go down well, particularly if they do not consult adequately with you.

Regards

Pete