Hi,

As a rep in a consultation forum, one thing I’m being asked quite frequently is whether people have to accept what the company decides is “suitable alternative employment”, or whether they can choose redundancy. At the moment the policy stipulates a 75 minute commute (each way) on public transport (trains and London underground) is still considered suitable alternative employment, even if your current commute is much less than that, and by car or foot.

Does anyone know of any cases in the past where suitable alternative employment was reasonably refused because of travel times/costs?

Alternatively, can anyone confirm whether replacing a 20 min drive (which most people do here) with a 75 minute commute on packed tubes/trains is reasonable to be classified as a “suitable alternative employment” (assuming all other job aspects remain the same)? Would they have to cover the extra travelling costs (in this scenario) for it to be so?

Many thanks in advance,
Doug.

Douglas