Reasonable offer?

I have received my redundancy notice, but have been offered an alternative job, for which I can apply and interview.

The problem is that this job is five working hours less per week and a £3500 per year drop in salary FTE. In real terms, these cuts would mean a £6000 gross pay difference. If I take this job, and I feel I am being expected to, I will have to find a second job to compensate for the loss. Is this alternative therefore a 'reasonable offer'? I have redundancy insurance and wonder if I am better off claiming on it, but know that I cannot if they belileve I have been given a reasonable alternative.

In terms of redundancy pay, if it's less hours and less money then it wouldn't be classed as 'suitable' and you would be within your rights legally to refuse the offer of the job and claim redundancy instead. Your employer are right to give you the opportunity to apply, but would be wrong to deny you redundancy pay if you refuse it as being unsuitable.

Whether your insurance company expect you to take anything available is entirely different and you would need to check the terms and conditions of your policy to see to what extent you are expected to mitigate your losses by taking anything available and whether they will pay out.