united-kingdom employment human-rights
Can a company refuse my redundancy payment because they changed their mind?
<p>I got made redundant a little while ago and managed to find a new job reasonably quickly. However, before I left the old job they changed their mind about making me redundant and asked me to stay. I refused as the new job was a much better package and they wouldn't match it. As a consequence they then refused to pay me my redundancy money as they said it was my decision to leave.</p>

<p>Would I stand a decent chance of winning if I took them to court to get my money?</p>

<p>Unfortunately, you are probably not entitled to the redundancy / severance money since you weren't technically ever made redundant / laid off - there was no point in time where you were willing and able to work where they refused you, and I presume you were paid for all time worked. If you're concerned that they only changed their tune because they knew you had a better job already lined up - well, you can call their bluff or just use it as a learning experience. In what jurisdiction do you work? If the US, you could call their bluff, say you'd rather stay and see what they do. You would then keep the option of simply walking away with your stuff in a box any time you felt like it (assuming at-will employment and no contracts that state otherwise).</p>
