[Ginda]

After 10 years' of two-days-a-week employment on a permanent contract the company I was working for cut my working hours and salary by half. Unable to continue on half the salary, they found me another (full-time) job within the company. This job was a 9-month fixed maternity cover contract and I was led to believe when I was interviewed that it was almost certain to become permanent as the lady for whom I was covering was not expected to return. I have just been told (one month before the fixed-term contract was due to end) that although the lady is not coming back, my employment will cease at the end of the contract. Throughout my tenure in the job, I had been given absolutely no reason to believe that I would not be able to continue. There is another job being advertised in the company which I am being encouraged to apply for and for which they are happy to give me a very good reference. But this job has a smaller salary. I took a reduction in salary to show willing when I took the fixed-term job but I am not prepared to take another reduction. Have my employers fulfilled their obligation to me by giving me the fixed-term job after my ten years of permanent employment or would I be entitled to redundancy?

[Clough]

Hi, Ginda!

I would presume that being redundant would be something that you don't want.

Would that be true, please?

Thanks!

[Ginda]

Thank you for your reply. I am interested in redundancy now.

[Clough]

Are you represented by a union of some kind, please?

[Ginda]

Unfortunately not.

[Clough]

Do you think that they released you against the terms of your original contract that you had for ten years?

[Ginda]

I was released on the grounds that I do not have an assertive enough character and that the job would suit a younger person. This would surely have broken the terms of my original contract which did not state what sort of age or character I had to be. (I am 53.)

[excon]

Hello Ginda:

I don't know what redundancy is, but if you had a contract that was arbitrarily changed, and it was, and you didn't do anything about it then, you may not have any rights to do it now...

Although, I really don't know. I think you should see a solicitor.

excon

[AK lawyer]

I was released on the grounds that... the job would suit a younger person. This would surely have broken the terms of my original contract which did not state what sort of age or character I had to be. (I am 53.)

Looks like age discrimination to me. Do they allow that wherever you are?

[Ginda]

I live in London, England and my employers say on their website that they 'strive to ensure that all employees are able to contribute to their maximum potential, irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age.'

[excon]

I live in London,

Hello again, G

Bummer for you. That stuff is a goal, it's not a law. I think you're out of gas.

excon

[Clough]

I would assume that you've accumulated benefits.

Have you?

[Ginda]

What sort of benefits? I get a non-contributory pension.