Redundant after 9 years of loyal service

Hi - I have worked as a legal secretary for 9 years on the day before good friday I got an "at risk" of redundancy letter and was told that from that day I would be on special leave. Yesterday I went back to my firm for my first consultation meeting, the meeting was horrendous. I took a Manager in with me. The scoring system which they used to determine who should and should not be "at risk" seems grossly unfair to me. I have worked there for 9 years never been disciplined or anything like that did my job as you do....they told me my score was 5 out of 50! I was gobsmacked! Now after 9 years I would have thought that if I was not doing my job properly they would have told me long ago. I think I may of a case for unfair dismissal.....also I have read somewhere on the net that I have to be given 9 weeks notice (notwithstanding that I am on gardening leave) which is NOT my notice (and was told in my letter that this was special leave) anyway 9 weeks notice 1 week for every year I have worked there and 13.5 weeks redudancy pay albeit may be at the statutory amount (I dont know if it is yet). Can someone please confirm this is right? Much appreciated thanks

Hi Nubian

That score does seem pretty incredible. Without knowing any details thought it is hard to give an opinion on the fairness or otherwise of the selection criteria/scoring. If they have used objective criteria and the appropriate people have scored you, then it will be an uphill slog to prove unfairness.

You are correct in that you are entitled to 9 weeks' notice (from the point at which you are given notice) and a redundancy payment. The level of the redundancy payment depends on your age as well as length of serivce. Check BERR's redundancy ready reckoner for details.

Regards

Pete

Hi Pete

Thanks for replying. I am at pains to understand why they scored me so low, although I know the person who scored me is a bully and has always had a problem with me becos I stand up to her...as I said I have worked there 9 yrs never had a disciplinary or anything like that...always had a pay increasse and a bonus 3 times a year...so...it just does not make sense, why give me bonus for my good work then say that I am crap with the scoring.....anyway I a planning to take out a grievance against them...what do you think?

Thanks