Applying for VSO from your employer

Questioner

My employer has offered me a transfer due to disagreements within my current project. I have a permanent contract and appreciate the transfer, however, I will be considerably worse off in terms of travel distance and it concerns a project that I absolutely do not want to work on, and I would rather leave my employer as they prefer to handle matters under the table and behind closed doors. I therefore want to ask for a VSO. The prospect is that I will have a new job very soon (already in contact about this, looks very favorable), but I still want to have the VSO on hand to be on the safe side. Question: may my employer refuse me a VSO and on what basis? What are, for example, possible disadvantages for an employer of a VSO?

Lawyer

I would need to know more background information to be able to advise you better, but I understand that you can refuse the transfer. I would then make that known and discuss a vso.

Questioner

Thanks for the response. The transfer is not yet concrete, no offer has been made, only that they would like to do this because I have a very good name internally. I don't want it myself and that's why I'm asking for a VSO. What if they refuse, is there an advantage for them and can I 'demand' a VSO?

Lawyer

You can indicate that you do not want to use the offer. If they want to get rid of you, you can insist on a departure arrangement via a vso.