In a slight quandry

[bungle1977]

Hello
I am in a slight quandry and don't really know what the options are.

The studio I work with at the moment is going to be bought by a larger organisation however, the organisation has given us 2 choices. Voluntary redundancy or freelance.

I don't know whether to cut my losses and grab the redundancy payout or bite the bullet. I've heard horror stories of freelancers not being paid for weeks after submitting invoices.

My biggest concern is the organisation who is buying us out. They've rushed through this deal and am slightly concerned with the urgency. Why rush?

Should I
a) cut my losses and take the redundancy payout or
b) risk going freelance without any protection if this buy out fails in any way

From a very confused Graphic Designer

[pcbranding]

Gut feeling would be to go for the redundancy which would leave you with some guaranteed money. This will be a safety net while you look for new full time work or decide to freelance.

Taking the freelance option leaves you with nothing other than a 'possible' source of work when the new company takes off - there's no guarantee you'll be taken back in.

And who knows, you may take the redundancy package and still get freelance work for the same company - better for them to employ someone who is familiar and will fit straight back in.

Good luck.

[bungle1977]

Thanks PCbranding. The whole setup sounds like a trick.

The company I work for will be bought out by this larger firm (who is subsequently looking to buy other businesses who will probably be subcontractor/freelancers, alarm bells ringing). My boss will then treat his ex employees like freelancers and will decide who will get the job depending on the price each of us will set. It does sound like I am resigning and being brought back in as a freelancer for the bigger group.

I've been with the studio I am with at the moment for 10 years and I am very loyal to them but the flipside is I would feel like a traitor if I just walked out. A decision I really don't want to make.

[ARRIVALS]

I'd definitely say take the redundancy. There is, like PCB says, no guarantee that they'll even bother to offer you freelance work once the takeover is complete. Out of curiosity, just how many designers are there being offered this deal? Remember, the company who has bought out the one you work for, already has their own list of freelancers they work with. They call the shots unfortunately.

If you take the redundancy package, you'll have a nice sum of money to sit on whilst you find a new job, which may happen to be this new company if you're lucky. Will they be writing you a testimonial? If not, ask for one.

[byronc]

take the redundancy, without doubt, whats to sopt you fishing for work anyway from them.

in any event people that buyout agencies are in essence just buying clients... watchout - take the redundancy.

thye have not been loyal to you. you get paid for youe work each month - there is no loyalty

[bungle1977]

From what I understand they already own another group who are the sub contractors and the group will be using us as freelancers to do work. There are 4 in the studio I work in. 3 of us will be freelancers.

The company who will buy us will potentially buy other studios (animation, digital, exhibition, PR etc) who specialise in other areas to compliment what I do (print). These as I understand will also be employed as freelancers. In short will create a supergroup who will specialise in all areas and work will be sourced within the collective.

[Moominbaby]

I had a few close friends in an architecture firm that was bought by a larger firm as they where in trouble and they made all the staff redundant giving them redundancy pay and then took then on as freelancers on four days a week. If I was you then I would take the redundancy as they don't seem like a great company.

So far they have ofered you nothing apart from what they absolutly have to and then theyre saying if you take the bare minimum we wont give you any freelance work, why?!? surely they should do both.

[bungle1977]

thye have not been loyal to you. you get paid for youe work each month - there is no loyalty

I've been loyal to them not the other way round :)

[bungle1977]

edit* with little or no overhead bourne from employing full time staff, which I assume will boost their profits

[bungle1977]

Out of interest how long does redundancy money be payed out?