On Wednesday, a company meeting was held and staff were advised that redundancies needed to be made. Those of us who were selected were called in for individual meetings. I don't know who else was selected as the company has said they're respecting individuals rights to stay quiet if they want to. In this meeting, I was provided with a piece of paper saying "without prejudice" and providing details of a voluntary package and a compulsory termination package and was asked for a decision by the weekend/Tuesday if necessary.

Obviously with the bank holiday, it was difficult to take in the decision, contact people, learn about my rights etc and I've managed to arrange a solicitor for Wed which the firm have agreed is ok. I have been with the company for nearly nine years and the enhanced package offers one month's salary above the compulsory package (statutory minimum). When I asked about numbers, I was told there are 16 people who have been selected for 14 redundancies. 6 of those people are corporate staff for which 2 positions will remain. 10 of those are for professional staff (me) for which no positions will remain. In other words " be pushed" or "jump".

The company have not told me what the individual selection criteria are (even when I asked), there are other people who have not been put at risk who have similar skill sets to mine, I have not received any letter saying I'm at risk, the notice period offered was 4 weeks (subsequent independent advice suggests it should be 8). There was no suggestion of working overseas, being trained for another position, cutting hours, taking a sabbatical etc. Redundancy seems a foregone costcutting conclusion.

I would not want to stay with the firm now, but am nervous that if I criticise their procedure, they may find somewhere to keep me on, or else just make up some selection criteria and make me redundant anyway (thus losing the additional month I'd have got if I took voluntary). I don't want to part on really bad terms, but feel I've been unfairly treated. To try and take something positive away with me, I'd like to know if and how I can use this to negotiate more money without things turning really nasty (and potentially jeopardising other employment)? There's a chance I'll have to work with alot of these people in the industry again. In addition, is there a timeframe between offering me "voluntary" notice or putting me on compulsory redundancy notice?