Do I have to give employees redundancy pay?

Yes! If you employ anyone, be it a receptionist, sales person or nanny means that you have responsibilities under employment law.

As is usual in law, ignorance is not a defence and will not protect you!

You don’t need to pay redundancy to staff who have worked less than two years for you. You will obviously have to pay them their notice period.

You do need to pay redundancy to staff who have worked for you for more than two years. Statutory redundancy pay is currently max £571 per year’s service. You will have to pay them their notice period.

In addition, you will have to follow a fair and reasonable consultation process. This needs to be at least 3 weeks long. The employee also has the right of appeal.

Example

Sarah has worked for you for 5 years. Her weekly pay is £500. You would start the redundancy consultation process. You would pay her and she would work for those weeks, as usual. Then you would terminate her employment. You would give her 5 x £500 notice pay (subject to tax and NI) and 5 x £500 redundancy pay (capped at £571, paid gross).

Have a Question? Get in touch below...

    If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

    Call the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice.

    Simply get in touch and they'll provide you with clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about relationship issues within the workplace.

    You may want to know about employment rights and rules, best practice or you may need advice about a dispute.

    Whatever it is, just give ACAS a call, their team are on hand to respond within the hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm.

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