Hi
10 days ago my husband was advised that his job is potentially at risk of redundancy due the business losing work and a need to change what is currently 2 regions (Midlands and East) into 3. Currently the 2 regions have superviser's managing teams of maintenance engineers, one of these roles is currently vacant and my husband was advised 3 weeks ago (prior to this announcement) to apply for it by his manager. Each engineer has different qualifications, trades and experience.
Management have met with the regional teams to explain why and also carried out individual consultations. They have been given a file of the presentation delivered, a new organogram, details of the 3 new regions and an organogram detailing the vacant positions in each region. They have been provided the job specifications of each of the vacancies. In the individual consultation each engineer has been asked what position on the new organogram they wish to apply for. My husband requested to be considered for the Supervisers positon but he was shot down and told this position is for the superviser in the East.
The new organogram is very specific in terms of trade, for example it is obvious there are positions for the 2 exisiting combustion engineers as a new position is available in the Midlands and the East.
My question is, can the his company approach redundancy in this way, basically knowing who is going to be dismissed yet disguising their selection process as a reconfiguration of the team? They haven't been specific about the selection criteria other than advising that technical qualifications, absences etc could determine their decision. Questions relating to the pay and terms & conditons of employment of the new positions have not been answered, nor have they confirmed if continuation of service will apply if successful. My husband is expected to turn up to his interview on Tuesday without full knowledge of what he is applying for.
Management have advised that decisions will be made by 1st July and the new team will take affect from 4th July.
To confuse matters more, the business my husband works for is split between two divisons, mobile and corporate. It is the mobile division restructuring yet my husband currently works for 3 days per week on corporate contracts.

We will be contacting ACAS on Monday but any advice would be much appreciated.

Ruth