REDUNDANCY

Being made redundant is not the same thing as being dismissed. It just simply means that your role with your employer is no longer needed or ceases to exist. However, providing that you have been employed for more than two years by the employer, you have certain legal rights to ensure that the process is fair and that you are compensated for your redundancy.

If you are facing redundancy, you may be able to challenge the fact that you have been selected if you believe that this has happened due to discrimination rather than for some fair and objective reason. If you have been notified that you are about to be made redundant speak with one of our redundancy solicitors today. We can help you understand your rights, ensure that the process is fair and that you receive the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

If the entire workforce is being made redundant then selection isn’t really an issue. However, if only a percentage of the workforce is being made redundant then you have a right to question the basis on which you have been selected. When making their selection employers are not entitled to discriminate on the basis of age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender, race, disability, religious beliefs, maternity or paternity leave, pregnancy or whistleblowing.

The law demands that you receive a proper amount of notice before being made redundant. These are as follows:

• At least a week if you have worked for your employer for between one month and two years.
• One week for each year if you have been employed for between two and twelve years.
• Twelve weeks’ notice if you have been employed for 12 years or more.

The law states that you have a right to a consultation with your employer if you are about to be made redundant. This is your chance to hear the reason behind your redundancy and to discuss the possibility of alternatives, such as redeployment or retraining.

Under UK employment law you are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have been with the employer for at least two years. How much you will receive will depend upon your age and the period of service:

• Half a week’s pay for each full year of employment in which you were under the age of 22.
• One week’s pay for each full year of employment between the ages of 22 and 40 inclusive.
• One and half week’s pay for each full year of employment in which you were not below the age of 41.

The weekly payments are capped at £571, and the maximum amount of statutory redundancy pay is limited to £17,130. These are statutory amounts. Your employment contract may entitle you to more, or you might agree more with your employer. All sums below £30,000 are tax free.