Five things you MUST do when making someone redundant

Are you a business owner facing the difficult decision of employee redundancy? If so, here are five fundamental things to consider:

1. You must warn those employees whose jobs are at risk of redundancy.
2. You must consult with staff who have been put at risk over the reasons for the redundancies, how they have been selected and any possible ways of avoiding redundancy.
3. You should consider whether you have any alternative employment that could be offered.
4. There is a special duty of collective consultation with trade unions or employee representatives if you plan to make at least 20 people redundant.
5. If you decide to go ahead with the redundancy after consultation, you will need to give each employee notice or a payment in lieu, as well as a redundancy payment if they have been with you for at least two years.