Discussion of RTS request for advice
We discussed various topics in the periodic meeting of April 8, 2021. An important part of the consultation was about the RTS request for advice. That is what this report is about. I will inform you about the other topics shortly.
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RTS request for advice
De Unie receives many questions from members, including in the members' meeting that was organized in March, but also by e-mail or telephone. I'm trying to answer the questions myself, but some questions were submitted to Aegon in the April 8, 2021 meeting.
Time-line
At the moment calculations are made with the following timeframe, but this can still change. The advice of the COR is an important step in the process. The COR has indicated that it will take the time they need to process the request for advice.
Mei: formal decision after advice from the Central Works Council, followed by communication to employees.
For employees whose position is being relocated, Aegon sets up a selection process so that you can influence where you will be placed. This is part of the matching process.
A reassignment procedure is set up for employees whose position is canceled.
June: matching and reassignment procedure
July: at the beginning of this month, Aegon is aiming for the organizational change
allow entries and disclose who is redundant.
Reflection principle
Question: We hear from members that they have already been turned down because they would have a shorter employment contract than a close colleague. We don't think that is possible.
Aegon endorses the position of De Unie. The guidelines to management are to only indicate which departments or which are affected by the request for advice.
Of course it may happen that you are the only one who performs a specific position or that you work in a position that is canceled in its entirety. Then there is no reflection in the first instance. But there may be mutually interchangeable functions, so that you are still involved in a reflection. The UWV has the implementation rules for dismissal for business economic reasons published. It is an extensive document that sets out the rules that Aegon must follow when implementing a reorganization.
We have agreed with Aegon to arrange additional consultation with Aegon's lawyer. With this we want to objectively determine that Aegon applies the rules correctly.
Location
Question: Could relocating work lead to redundancies because work is relocated to another Aegon location?
To this question, Aegon answers that the job profiles are described without a location, which is in line with Aegon's Smart Working concept.
External parties
Question: The request for advice takes into account the dismissal of employees who have an employment contract with Aegon. In some cases, the same or similar work is also done by people who work through an employment agency or as a self-employed person. Bee De Unie come to ask members how to prevent permanent personnel from being dismissed while flexible employees are allowed to stay. Employees with a (permanent) employment contract have priority over work according to the dismissal law.
Aegon involves the flexible layer in the reassignment procedure, it is being investigated whether a potentially redundant employee can take over the work of an external person or whether a temporary placement is possible.
Voluntary severance scheme
Question: A voluntary severance scheme has been included in the social plan. Will it also be opened by Aegon?
Aegon has not yet made a decision on this. The voluntary severance scheme can be considered in some parts of the request for advice. It is not a common remedy for Aegon.
A proposal to compensate older employees financially if they want to opt for early retirement is passed De Unie discussed with Aegon.
Hungary
Question: Aegon has not yet received approval from the Hungarian central bank for the sale of the Hungarian business units. Does this have any consequences for the request for advice?
In response to this question, it was said that Aegon is confident that the consent will be given at a later date.
Then it is through De Unie raised the issue of nearsourcing. This is the situation where work is transferred to a company outside the Netherlands (outsourcing), but there is no offshoring.
Nearsourcing is on the agenda for GTS, in the RTS request for advice, part of the work is transferred to a company in Hungary. Aegon will proceed at the request of De Unie find out whether the Transfer of Undertaking Act applies.
Human size
We spoke extensively about the loneliness that employees can feel in this uncertain period. Because everyone works at home, it is more difficult to share your feelings or find information. Aegon has noted down the advice of the trade unions.
Contact
Do you have any questions regarding this message. Then contact me. You can reach me by sending an email to: inge.de.vries@unie.nl. I would like to help you.
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