I might be made redundant. Is there anything I can do?

By Dee Woodcock

Sadly, it is a fact that the pandemic will force the majority of employers to review their business structure and assess whether they need to make cuts to their workforce due to a downturn in work or as part of a restructure to reduce and save costs overall.

Redundancy - provided it is a genuine redundancy - is a potentially fair reason to dismiss an employee, but an employer must also follow a fair procedure.

An employer should set out the reason for the proposed redundancy(ies) and its procedure for determining redundancies.

You should check your employer does this. As part of a fair procedure your employer should be consulting with you/employee representatives about the proposal, identifying those at risk, the selection criteria for scoring individuals and accommodating your right to be accompanied.

If you do not consider that redundancy is the genuine reason for dismissal, or that your employer is following a fair procedure and you have been unfairly selected, or are being discriminated against in the process, you should immediately take legal advice.

At Sampson Coward we can assist you in reviewing and challenging your selection and dismissal for redundancy and identify if you have been discriminated against as part of the process. We can help you negotiate a settlement or issue unfair dismissal proceedings.

Please contact Dee or David at Sampson Coward Solicitors on 01722 820934 or 01722 820935, or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dee Woodcock