Contract Law

Background - relates to voluntary redundancy and a leaving date.

I know the date on my offer letter to be slightly wrong (3 months early).

If I sign this (accepting the terms of the offer and so the leaving date given) will they be able to come back and say it was a mistake and force me to stay the extra 3 months? They are also required to give me 3 months notice. I wouldn't be getting any if this date is correct so they should pay me in lieu of notice?

They are unlikely to come back and say its a mistake but you are affecting your own contractual position. Be very careful about VR agreements because some essentially mean a loss of certain employment rights if you accept the offer. This is not strictly speaking contract law so I would advise you to consult your union (if you're a member) or visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

I know for a fact someone else in the office has had theirs with the correct date.

Obviously payment in lieu of notice <3 especially 3 months worth.

They have told us the leaving date before however. I should make it clear I want to leave as it fits in with my life plans..

Oh and also it isn't redundancy, it is voluntary early serverance.

What's the difference? The point is that they have made you an offer on paper, which you suspect is incorrect and may lead to complications. If you want the payment in lieu of notice then this depends on the terms of the offer, not necessarily what you are legally entitled to. If you think you are legally entitled to it then the written severance terms should be clarified. I guarantee you will get better advice from someone who is able to sit down with you and look through the paperwork.

Btw, the only real difference between VR and VES is that your employer may have an existing VES scheme as part of their HR policy, whereas VS tends to be a result of a more immediate need to reduce staff. If you are seeking VES under an arranged scheme then check your employers Policy. Their HR dept should be able to give you appropriate and confidential advice.

Our VES policy is: 3 months notice, if you don't get the notice, then you MUST be given payment in lieu of that notice.

You deemed to have been given notice on the date that you sign that offer letter. (in which it says that my last da of service is the 31st March 2012, but it is mean to be 30th June 2012).