4. Offers of alternative work
[ch 4: page 35]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.