Redundancy: When Is Alternative Employment A Real Alternative?

In the recent case of Readman v Devon Primary Care Trust [2011] the Employment Appeals Tribunal overturned a decision made by the Employment Tribunal and concluded that an employee can reasonably refuse an offer of suitable alternative employment.

Mrs Readman, a nurse, was at risk of redundancy and was alternative posts by her Employer. These alternative posts included that of a hospital matron. However, since 1985 Mrs Readman had been a community nurse and had therefore not worked within a hospital setting for some years.

Mrs Readman turned down the post on the basis that she had no desire to return to working in a hospital environment. As a result of refusing the alternative employment Mrs Readman was not awarded a redundancy payment by her Employer.