Experience dosnt count

[Rupe]

Remember that "redundancy" means that your work position no longer exists within that company. That means that the others cannot do you work for you. They can cover you, but if he hires a new labourer (at the bottom) and everyone moves up, someone will effectivly be takign your job and thats not allowed, that woud be illegal or unfair dismissal. If work picks up for him and he wants to take someone else on then he has to offer you the job back, for a limited timeat least (not sure if its 6 months or a year).

 

So if you have been on the book for 3 years with that firm did you get three weeks redundancy pay? Thats on top of any notice period that you may or may not have worked. i.e. if you get made reduntant there is normally one months notice, which in office jobs very few people ever work, they normally leave immediatly, on top of that there should be redundancy package, mimimum requirment id one week for every year worked.

 

(a friend of mine just got made redundant and got a year salary as the package. £58K before tax!!)

 

Anyway, make sure employer has got it right! He probably cant make you redundant and then offer you 3 days a week as self employed. If that the case he would just change your employement to part time. I'm sure you have left on good terms, it seems he knows how to have his cake and eat it, be careful and make sure you do better out of the new arrangment, if you are happy to go along with it. Work out what you were on a day (gross) as paye and make sure you charge 1.5 times that at least.

 

Similar thing happened to me many years ago, I had only been employed one year though and my climbing was coming along very well. I was laid off and offered work part time as self employed. I agreed as I had no choice but ironically I was then asked to go and work at Bartletts. So I told my boss on th elast day that I wouldn't be back and off I went.

 

Bartletts did me ok for 2 years but I would say that with 6 years experience you are probably way over qualified!!

[Rupe]

Don't burn any bridges and take it as a push in the right direction to graft for yourself or somewhere better mate

 

That sums up waht i was getting at. Its good to knwo wher eyou stand but chances are it will be the best thing that ever happened!

[steve@black]

Sorry to hear your situation, the buisness in the south west has definateley become more seasonal as the years go on.Unfortunately this time of year the better climbers and subbies will suffer if a company can save a few pounds a day they will and have to.I have nearly two decades of experience and nearly every ticket going but things do slow right up this time of year which is nothing short of a pain in the ass after a hard winters work.As stated in previous posts take it on the chin and try to make the best of it your employer will remember you for that.

[Taupotreeman]

As the others have said; if this guy has treated you well over the years then leave on good terms. He obviously thinks highly of you if he has offered you some contract work and his recommending you to others could be invaluable in the long run. If you leave on bad terms he is unlikely to provide a good reference to other prospective employers. He may just have decided to stop doing the more technical work and head for an easier life doing smaller work. Every so often he might have a job for a repeat customer that he doesn't want to disappoint and call you in. This could be a good opportunity to spread your wings a little so try and look on the positive side. Your old boss might just have been stuck between a rock and hard place.

[easy-lift guy]

Jeremy, I forgot to mention that when your self employed you will make or break your own destiny, wonderful from an experience stand point and rewarding in more ways than money can buy. Keep the forum posted many are pulling for you!.

elg