redundancy entitlements?

Question

hi could u please help me.
ok im gonna explain this as best as i can.

bassically me and my gf received a letter from our work stateing we were being made redundant
(quote of letter)
dear staff due to financial difficulties we are having in this present climate we are forced to revise our present trading position.we have decided that we have no option but to cease trading as we are and to make radical changes so we can stay open but in a different format.
the business will officially close as post office and stores at 3rd oct an reopen on 5th oct as convenience store.
as the business will cease trade all currant contracts of employment will end.alternative employment and new contracts will be offered in the new business to all currant employees. anyone not transferring to the new company will b given redundacy if they qualify.

the new contract was not suitible as it was a major drop in hours so we was gonna take redundancy.
but then we recieved another letter
(quote letter 2)
due to changes in our finanical situation we are now able to infrom u that we can retain all staff on their presnt contract and terms of employment.
the letter u recieved will no longer apply we apologise for any convenience this may have caused but we feel that we can now look forward more positively.
the business will close as post office and stores on 3rd and reopen on 4th as convenience store.

ok we are glad we still got our jobs but the staff think that the owners are gonna lease the shop out to someone else and we dont no if we are sold with it or not.
so once the shop closes and reopens will we loose all our entitlements ????
or wen the new owners take over will we still have the same entitlements ?
it just all seems very strange. ive looked up as much as i can but i cant find anything to do with things like this.
can he offer redundancy then take it back like that.

please if anyone can help me i will be very grateful.
and if u dont mind me contacting u asking a few questions please let me no coz there jus so much i dont understand
thank u luke

Answer 1

Short answer is if they sell the shop you go with it, this is called T.U.P.E. New owners have to take you on or make you redundant. If they give you a new contract it is up to you to sign it or resign. Your present employers are being quite crafty here as they are getting out of paying you redundancy money. All quite legal.

Answer 2

Your entitlements and terms of your contract will stay the same if the new owners do not ask you to sign a new contract. If you are asked to sign a new contract your entitlements will change to that stated in the new one. You can either accept the changes ore resign without redundancy as you would in effect no longer be working for your previous boss but for the new one so therefore you wouldn't be entitled to redundancy on the basis of the contract now suiting your wants or needs.



The redundancy offer only stood with your previous boss and not the one taking over!

Answer 3

If you are employed on the existing contract and have not signed a new one then the contract is still valid, and your entitlement should remain the same, as from the date you signed the contact??



Not sure buts that's my take on the situation.