4. Offers of alternative work

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Union-negotiated agreements about redeployment and retraining are often significantly better than any statutory minimum rights. Good redeployment policies help both employers and staff as they can:

• avoid the costs associated with layoffs, including redundancy payments;

• retain skilled staff;

• cut retraining costs in an upturn;

• preserve institutional knowledge;

• preserve customer service levels and operational effectiveness;

• avoid damaging morale and reduce stress for staff left behind; and

• promote good employment relations and improve trust.

There is also an important role for union learning reps (ULRs) during redundancy exercises in the context of alternative employment, including:

• finding out learning and support needs and organising learning activities in the workplace, such as CV workshops, job search, Skills for Life, ICT and financial management courses;

• providing advice and information on learning opportunities, including referring people to adult career advice services such as Next Step (or providing this advice themselves if qualified); and

• working with external bodies such as learning providers and JobCentre Plus.