Often, one of the hardest things you can do as a small business owner is make redundancies. It can feel really personal.

But the truth is, sometimes the situation is out of your hands. Perhaps your business is closing down or you need to reduce costs. Sometimes businesses merge and there is a duplication of skills or people can’t be relocated. And occasionally, you just no longer require certain jobs and skills.

In these situations, the kindest thing you can do is make the process as easy as possible for your employees.

Get the process right. First time.

We have experience of working with both small and large businesses to expertly manage restructures and redundancies, from beginning to end. We will work with you to make sure that the correct process is followed and your entire business is supported through what can be a very difficult time.

Let us guide you on the full process:

  • Supporting you and your managers to lead employee consultation meetings
  • Guiding you through collective consultations, if applicable
  • Developing selection criteria and matrices
  • Finding alternatives to redundancy
  • Offering voluntary redundancy
  • Calculating payments and managing notice periods

The process of restructuring, especially where there may be redundancies, is complex. And every business situation is unique. You can rely on us to handle the situation professionally and expertly.

We promise that even if they are leaving your business, we will support you to treat your employees with dignity and respect.

The risks of getting it wrong

Employment law relating to redundancy is complicated. Getting it wrong could result in an employment tribunal claim and heavy financial penalties. It’s also a risk to your business’s reputation.

If you do not follow a fair, transparent process, you risk claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and automatic unfair dismissal.

The maximum amount a tribunal can award an employee for unfair dismissal (e.g., if you get the redundancy process wrong) is £93,878 (as at April 2022) or their annual salary, whichever is lower. This is in addition to the basic award that a tribunal can order you to pay, which is £17,130.

You will certainly pay if you get it wrong. So let us help you get it right. First time.