Redundancy dismissals

One client of LAW, a professional services firm, faced this challenge.  Due to the downturn, they had to make a large number of staff redundant across a number of offices throughout the UK.  We liaised closely with the client to assist them draft documentation and letters and implement a fair and objective selection process.

Notwithstanding the steps taken by the client, four employees in different offices sought to challenge their selection for redundancy, including one who alleged that her dismissal was tainted by sex discrimination and another who claimed that the client had failed to follow the rules on collective consultation.

One employee withdrew his claim prior to hearing, but the other three claims all proceeded to hearing before different tribunals.  In all cases, the tribunal found that the client had implemented a fair and objective redundancy process.  The employee claiming sex discrimination also had her claim dismissed as did the employee claiming that the rules on collective consultation had not been followed.

As this client also had taken out insurance coverage, the fees for each tribunal were covered by the insurance, as would any award if it had turned out that LAW’s advice was not completely correct.