What is the redundancy procedure – it’s a good question.
And whether you’re an employee or employer looking for advice on what the standard procedure is and what you can expect, it’s important to be aware of what you’re about to go into.
Redundancy isn’t a particularly enjoyable experience for anyone, that goes without saying. But there are many reasons why it might be happening and it’s important that the correct legal procedures are followed so that everyone is treated fairly.
What Is The Procedure For Redundancy?
Redundancy is where the needs of the employer for work of a specific type has reduced to the point where they don’t need as many staff as they previously did.
OR it can mean the employer is closing a workplace, and the staff who work there will be asked to relocate. If they’re not able to do so, whatever that reason might be – then they could be made redundant.
The end result is that an employee, or employees, will be relieved of their duties following the redundancy process…
The key here is that any employer that finds themselves in a redundancy situation MUST go through a fair redundancy procedure before making any decisions on redundancy – as long as the employee has worked with the business for at least 2 years.
If you would like to speak with a specialist employment law solicitor about redundancy pay now, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
What Is The Correct Procedure For Redundancy, though?
You should be invited to at least 1 individual meeting with your employer to discuss redundancy, but other than this, there is no set process.
An employer must also have a clear process, but there is no set way in which it needs to be done.
In the individual meeting, your employer should make clear to you why:
- They need to make redundancies
- They’re considering you for redundancy
- If there are any other jobs available and details on them
It’s also an opportunity for an employee to ask questions about what happens next, voice any concerns, and tell them if you think the process has been unfair.
If an employee has worked for less than 2 years, your employer doesn’t need a redundancy process and doesn’t have to meet you individually. However, it’s still worth following up to see if they have a redundancy process so that you know what to expect.
A redundancy process MUST explain:
- How they’ll select people for redundancy
- How long the process will take
- What meetings you’ll be able to attend and when
- How you can appeal the decision if you’re selected for redundancy
What About Settlement Agreements?
Many employers will explore a settlement agreement as an alternative to the redundancy process, and it’s worth considering.
One factor in a settlement agreement is that the employee waives the right to progress through a fair redundancy procedure in exchange for a settlement fee.
The positives of a settlement agreement are mutually beneficial…
- The employee gets more money
- The employer can spend more time focusing on their business
And avoiding having to go through the redundancy process where one or both parties might become agitated is beneficial.
You should know, though, that the employee DOES NOT have to accept the settlement agreement – if they refuse, the employer still has the option to press ahead with the redundancy process.
In this instance, it would be advisable to seek legal advice to ensure that the procedure has been conducted fairly or whether there might be the potential for an unfair dismissal claim.
It might be preferable for the employee to accept the settlement agreement for several reasons:
- The financial settlement is likely to be higher than they’d get through redundancy
- It allows them to finalise the process quicker and move on with their next opportunity
- It allows for the process to be conducted in a civil and agreeable manner
Redundancy Advice Near Me
Redundancy can feel like an overwhelming situation. If you’ve never experienced it before or you’re unsure what to expect, it can be difficult to know where to begin…
But the good news is that at Solicitors Near Me, we’re here to help.
We connect you with expert employment solicitors near you for FREE so that you can get the redundancy help and advice you need.
You’re under no obligation to press ahead with the solicitor we connect you with and until you decide to proceed, everything is completely FREE.
Redundancy Advice Near Me
Whatever your needs, there’s a solicitor near you that help you with redundancy legal advice…
To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
