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How do I check I have been fairly selected for redundancy?

When a number of staff are being selected for redundancy, your employer must ensure that the basis for selection is fair and does not unfairly discriminate against you, otherwise you could take an unfair dismissal case to an employment tribunal.

Redundancies cannot therefore be chosen on grounds of gender; race; age; disability; sexuality or religious belief either directly or indirectly.

Often employers ask for volunteers and offer early retirement before considering compulsory redundancy.

The criteria that can be used by an employer include:

  • skill and capability
  • attendance record
  • conduct record
  • any agreed existing procedure
  • type of work needed to be done by those remaining

You are entitlted to know what factors have been used in the selection process. Your trade union may have agreed a redundancy procedure with your employer, so check with them that this has been followed.