1 Feb 2011 Redundancy
 

Anyone got the details that are due for release today? Interesting to see what we are worth or not!!

just read the Internal Briefing Note - no new info! Now waiting (again) for promised info on 15 Feb....

Standing by to...........stand by!!!!:ugh:

Still no visual on the IBN here. As my finger has been hovering over the PVR button for some weeks now I am interested in how the Tranche 1 will look - so no new info then? Sandy did you mean you have just read the IBN or are you sugesting we read it :)

Are they not announcing the full details today? Just back from the RAF's Centre of Admin Excellence (KAF) so am out of touch with anything useful. :hmm:

Well sourced rumours I've heard are that there won't be any pilot redundancies as they've made enough "savings" in the trg system. Mildly tedious if true.

I heard on the grape vine of an excess of 2-300 baby pilots but not what is going to happen to them!

3000 "Serving Persons" to go. Detailed policy info available from 15 Feb. Timetable as previously released. Supporting DINs as previously released (but being 'amended' - see Feb 15th). Service persons cannot change their TOS to suit but Service retains the right to change them if it wants.:hmm:

Thanks Sandy

That all seems fair and above board.....




Ladies and Gentlemen, the street called loyalty is now designated 'one way'. :hmm:

Loyalty is what a thinking human being gives to his friends, family, fellow workers (be they above, below, or alongside) and the pet dog.

Loyalty to a "thing", or people you don't know, or some other vague concept, is a loser's pastime.

TOFO

Couldn't agree more - I never expect "loyalty" from the RAF, just my direct CO, peers and subordinates.

When that goes, I agree, it is time to walk towards the door. :{

The sad thing is, as someone with subordinates, I find it harder and harder to pay back loyalty within the rules - pretty well all flexibility and most "good deals" have been swiped by the bean counters.

LJ

I mean, who really knows the Queen?

I believe there's a chap on SAR standby at RAF Valley who might be able to answer that positively! :ok:

Sandy,

Any amplification on this - is there specific reference to AFPS?

Hmmmmm

Rather concerning that the DINs detailing the redundancy benefits are being refined before the Feb 15th release!!

I hope that doesn't mean what I think it means?

Hugh FW

AirSpace
 

If you can't access DII or other Service system then the DIN and other info is available on Airspace at https://airspace.raf.mod.uk/. If you haven't done so already you'll need to set up a user account to access the information. Amongst other stuff you'll need your NI number (if you don't know it it's on your pay chit!). ;)

For those without airspace:

REDUNDANCY PROGRAMME – RAF PERSONNEL

ISSUE

The RAF will conduct a compulsory redundancy programme, which will consider both applicants and non-applicants, as part of the Regular Armed Forces Redundancy Programme. The RAF programme will consist of up to 3 tranches starting in financial year 2011/12. It is anticipated that up to 3000 RAF personnel will be made redundant in total. This Briefing Note informs all RAF personnel of the key issues relating to the redundancy process.

NO APPLICATIONS ARE BEING CALLED FOR AT THIS STAGE.

KEY POINTS

• The RAF will reduce its manpower to around 33,500 regular Service personnel by 2015.

• The RAF Redundancy Programme is one of the measures that will be used to reduce the size of the Service.

• The redundancy process applies to all regular RAF trained and untrained personnel, both commissioned and non-commissioned, up to and including air cdre. Changes to structures at AVM rank and above will be managed outwith the Redundancy Programme.

• Detailed policy information to support the redundancy process will be available on 15 Feb 11 and will be published via the Manning Website and Airspace.

• Detailed information on eligibility fields and application dates will be published on
1 Mar 11.

• All queries at this stage should be directed to unit HR staff.

BACKGROUND

The Strategic Defence and Security Review presented the security policy baseline against which the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces will be re-structured to meet current and emerging threats. In doing so the Armed Forces will undergo changes that will include a reduction in certain capabilities and associated manpower. On 19 Oct 10, the Secretary of State for Defence announced that the RAF will reduce to around 33,500 by Mar 15. To achieve this drawdown, we will use manning regulators to increase outflow and restrict intakes, but must ensure that in drawing down we do not undermine the longer sustainability of the Service. To this end, the RAF will conduct a redundancy programme that will allow us to reduce manpower whilst preserving recruiting and promotion activity, albeit at lower levels than normal. Similar programmes are being undertaken by the RN and the Army.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

The following general principles will apply:

• Applications for redundancy will be treated in the strictest of confidence; the RAF Redundancy Focal Point at HQ AIR Command will deal directly with each applicant. Personnel will still have the opportunity to seek advice from unit Chf Clks, if required.

• Applicants who are not selected for redundancy will not suffer any prejudicial effect on their career, advancement, promotion or employment as a result of their application.

• Applications for redundancy may be made from the date that the redundancy fields are announced for each tranche; the closing date for applications will be 6 weeks after the announcement of the fields.

• Personnel will be permitted to withdraw their application for redundancy in each tranche up to and including the closing date for applications.

• Successful applicants for redundancy will be entitled to 6 months’ notice of exit. Non-applicants selected for redundancy will be entitled to 12 months’ notice of exit. All notice periods include Graduated Resettlement Training, Terminal Leave (where applicable) and Annual Leave.

• Non-applicant personnel on operations or within 6 months of deploying on such operations as at the date that redundancy notices are issued (notification date) will not be selected for redundancy.

• In no circumstances will personnel be permitted to amend their current terms of service to qualify for redundancy, to avoid qualification for redundancy, or to improve terminal benefits, once redundancy fields have been announced and before the closure date for applications.

• Applicants who are not selected for redundancy and non-applicants who are selected for redundancy may appeal to the RAF Redundancy Appeal Board (the process for which will be included in the detailed policy information, which will be available on 15 Feb 11).

• Personnel who are subject to current disciplinary or administrative action are eligible to apply for redundancy. Individuals in this category who are selected for redundancy, but who subsequently retire or resign, or are discharged or dismissed from Her Majesty’s Service for other reasons prior to exit on redundancy, will not be eligible for redundancy terms.

• Personnel selected for redundancy who are subsequently required to retire or who are discharged solely on the grounds of medical unfitness for any form of RAF service will be eligible for the benefits of either the invaliding or redundancy schemes, but not both. The scheme applied will be the one most financially beneficial to the individual. This includes Flying Branch officers and NCA who elect to be invalided as they are no longer fit for aircrew duties.

• Personnel who owe a Return of Service may still be considered for redundancy either as applicants or non-applicants. Selection for redundancy will depend upon the overriding requirements of the Service.

SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Redundancy will be targeted at specific ranks, branches and trades in order to achieve a balanced drawdown. Eligible personnel (ie, those who fall within the redundancy fields) will be invited to apply for redundancy but, to achieve the desired long-term balance and structure of the Service, it may be necessary to reject some applicants and select some non-applicants who fall within the same redundancy fields.

Selection Criteria

Redundancy Selection Boards will convene at HQ AIR Command to consider and decide on all applications for redundancy and to decide which non-applicants are to be selected. The Boards will consider individuals against all of the following criteria to form an overall assessment of their suitability for redundancy:

• Performance. Annual appraisals or training records will provide evidence of an eligible candidate’s performance with length of time in rank taken into consideration.

• Employability. The extent to which a candidate is able to be employed in the full range of branch/trade duties and deployed in line with Service operational requirements.

• Unexpunged administrative and unspent disciplinary action. This will provide evidence of a candidate’s ability to meet the standards expected of Service personnel.

• Experience, competencies, qualifications and skill-sets. This reflects the Service requirement for certain skill-sets, qualifications and competencies to ensure that a sustainable experience profile is maintained.

• Branch/trade requirements. This is an assessment of a candidate’s Service profile against the requirement to assure future sustainable branch and trade structures, which may include the consideration of any operational and/or manning pinch-points.

• Applicant status of a candidate. Where a Board considers both applicants and non-applicants, more consideration will be given to those candidates who are applicants.

REDUNDANCY TIMETABLE

The Redundancy Programme is planned to be completed by 31 Mar 15, or earlier if possible. Timetables for each tranche are shown below. A third tranche of redundancy may be required and would follow no earlier than 6 months after Tranche 2; details will be announced when known.

DATE TRANCHE 1 TRANCHE 2
1 Mar 11 Redundancy fields announced
1 Sep 11 Redundancy notices issued Redundancy fields announced
1 Mar 12 All applicants leave the Service Redundancy notices issued
1 Sep 12 All non-applicants leave the Service All applicants leave the Service
1 Mar 13 All non-applicants leave the Service

REDUNDANCY PROCEDURE

A flowchart which provides an overview of the redundancy process, following announcement of the fields for each tranche, is enclosed. Detailed policy information to support the redundancy process will be available on 15 Feb 11.

REDUNDANCY TERMS

Redundancy terms for personnel leaving the Service under this redundancy programme are detailed in the Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 06 (AFRS06) (for AFPS05 members) and Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 10 (AFRS10) (for AFPS75 members). A résumé of these terms can be accessed via the following links for those who wish to acquaint themselves generally with the regulations:

• For AFRS06 in JSP 754, Part 5, Chapter 2:

• For AFRS10 in 2010DIN01-188:

However, personnel will wish to note that these regulations are currently being refreshed by the MOD; the revised benefit information is due to be published shortly and will be incorporated within the detailed policy information, which will be available on 15 Feb 11. Personnel intending to complete an application for redundancy may wish to seek an estimate of their pension and redundancy benefits. An estimate of pension benefits can be obtained via the Armed Forces Pension Calculator, which can be accessed immediately, via the internet, as follows: Introduction to the pension calculator. An estimate of redundancy benefits can be obtained via the Armed Forces Redundancy Calculator, which will be available, through the Armed Forces Pension Calculator Website, from 1 Mar 11.

The information provided by both the Armed Forces Redundancy Calculator and the Armed Forces Pension Calculator is only indicative and does not constitute a formal statement of the benefits that an individual will receive on exit from the Service on redundancy. The RAF and MOD do not offer any undertaking of the accuracy of this information and do not accept any liability should the information later prove to be inaccurate. Personnel considering applying for redundancy may wish to seek independent financial advice.

POINT OF CONTACT

For any queries regarding the content of this IBN, personnel should contact parent unit HR staff in the first instance.

The detailed policy information due to be released on 15 Feb 11 will include specific points of contact for each policy area and will be available via the Manning Website.

The RAF Redundancy Focal Point will stand up on 1 Mar 11 and at that stage will become the single point of contact for queries relating to the redundancy process; contact details for the Focal Point will be included in the detailed policy information.

A dedicated redundancy page on the Manning Website, which can also be accessed through Airspace, is available immediately. It will provide links to all key documents, along with links to other sites including the Armed Forces Pension Calculator and the Armed Forces Redundancy Calculator, as soon as they are available.

Link to Airspace below.

Airspace (Internet)

https://airspace.raf.mod.uk/personnel/redundancy/

Hugh FW,

I picked up on exactly the same line which is a potentially concerning statement. Also interesting to read AMP's bulletin with the sentence:

I am hopeful that the change of Special Capital Payment to 3 months pay for those on AFPS 75 will be delayed until 2015 – this will ensure that RAF personnel leaving during this redundancy programme will not be affected by the change.


Worthy desire that we would all support but it is just 'hope' at this stage and therefore meaningless.....

Also the Navy have ringfenced IPP minus four years as being immune from redundancy. This precident pretty much forces the others Services to follow suit, but I have not heard a decision yet so perhaps one has at last been made.

Party

Yeah. Very concerning after the benefits were so drastically reduced from the last tranches i.e. the 18 months basic tax free to what it was in the current DINs.

I wouldn't put it past them.

Hugh FW

Just to point out to people affected by the redundancy that if you become Resident overseas after leaving the Service then you are no longer liable to be recalled to active duty.

Its really quite nice here in the Midi.