Redundancy

1. We need to make some people redundant. Is it advisable to establish a formal redundancy procedure, and if so, what should it cover?
2. How much notice do we have to give of proposed redundancies?
3. In cases of collective redundancy, what information, if any, do we have to provide in writing to employee representatives?
4. How much do we have to pay in redundancy pay?
5. Will we run into problems if we just weed out the people we would like to get rid of?
6. Do we have to go through a redundancy procedure if we can offer alternative employment at a site 20 miles away?
7. Can we select candidates for redundancy from amongst the part-timers, most of whom work for pin money?
8. Three employees with less than one year's service say our redundancy selection process was unfair. Can they do anything about it?
9. Former employees are claiming that redundancies were not genuine because we have subsequently taken on more people. Do we need to worry?
10. Some employees are threatening to ask for a 'protective' award. What is this?
11. Are we obliged to minimise redundancies by cutting overtime elsewhere in the business, even if that could cause some good employees to leave?
12. Is it reasonable to select people for redundancy on a LIFO (last-in-first-out) basis?
13. Can we select people on performance?
14. If we select people for their skills, can we include their ability to speak and understand English?
15. We're thinking of taking over a rival's business, but not his company. We don't have to take on his staff, do we?
16. Can we take over a business, make the staff redundant, and then offer jobs to the ones we want to keep on our terms?
17. Is redundancy money paid gross, or do we have to deduct tax and National Insurance contributions?
18. Our company normally gives generous redundancy pay. Our employees say they have a right to it this time. Do they?
19. Do we have to give redundancy pay to employees who have turned down alternative employment two miles away?
20. We are in financial trouble, and will not be able to meet our redundancy payments. What happens now?
21. One chap has tried the alternative employment we offered, says it is not suitable, and wants the redundancy money. Do we have to pay?