REDUNDANCY

Redundancy is essentially a form of dismissal from your job that is caused by your employer needing to reduce the workforce.

If your employer is making less than 20 employees redundant in one establishment, this is referred to as an individual consultation.

If your employer is making 20 or more employees redundant in one establishment within a 90-day period, it is known as a collective redundancy.

An employer should always consult with you before they make you redundant, explaining why you have been chosen or outlining alternatives to redundancy, such as reduced working hours or the opportunity to relocate, for example. If you are not consulted, you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Your employer should be able to show that they have an evidence-based reason for selecting you for redundancy.

They should also see if you can be redeployed to another suitable role within the organisation or an associated company. If you are facing redundancy, your employer must allow you time off for job hunting.

You may be entitled to statutory redundancy pay, which is worked out based on how long you have been continuously employed, your age and your weekly pay, up to a certain limit Your employer may offer you a more generous redundancy package.

There is a range of support available to help you cope with redundancy. In the first instance, you may be able to get advice and support from your Trade Union or Acas. The Community Legal Advice service can also tell you more about your rights and entitlements in the event of a redundancy.

If you are made redundant on or after the 6th April 2023 your weekly pay is capped at £700 and the maximum statutory redundancy pay you will get is £21,000, if you are made redundant before the 6th April 2023 the amount will be lower.