One of the inevitable consequences of operating within the voluntary/social sector is that of grant funding and the short-term sums that are available from a whole host of providers; Lottery, European, National and Local Government etc. These all seem very attractive at the time and groups very often put considerable effort into bidding for funds, undoubtedly with the best of intentions, for the pursuit and furtherance of their aims and objectives. Staff are then employed and things go very well for one, two, three or more years. Unfortunately, funding streams are never 100% guaranteed, or perhaps the progress of a project may not go quite as expected and what happens then?

Finally the time has come where perhaps a little more effort should have gone into planning the exit strategy, especially if the only answer/solution is that staff may no longer be required. For anyone losing their job, it can be one of the most stressful events to affect them (or you) in life. Redundancy should therefore be something that all groups consider, right from the very beginning, before funds are even applied for, so that a clear policy and plan can then be implemented. Hopefully this will then result in responsible and realistic recruitment practices where all prospective employees are made well aware of the likely continuance of their employment.

Redundancy is when you dismiss an employee because you need to cut jobs, move the place of work or close down completely.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

As of the 6th April 2009, the new Employment Act 2008 has replaced previous Statutory Dismissal Procedures with a new ACAS Code of Conduct.  The new Code DOES NOT apply to dismissals due to redundancy.

Employers will still have to follow a fair process and act reasonably. ACAS has issued new guidance on handling redundancy situations.

The following CA Plus Advice Guide details this information.

Redundancy Advice Note (Word)
Redundancy Advice Note (PDF)

Where can I get further information?

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) produce a Guide to Handling Redundancy, this can be downloaded free from their website.

ACAS also provides information and guidance on a wide range of employment and industrial relations matters. Their national phone enquiry service is free and confidential, and is listed under ' ACAS ' in your local phone book
(08457 474747).

You can order 'Handling Redundancy" - a handbook for small firms'(price £3.95) online from ACAS or by phoning ACAS Publications on 08702 42 90 90 .

The Governments Redundancy Payments Service runs a freephone helpline on 0500 848489. You can also get information and order publications available from Redundancy Payments Offices and Employment Service Jobcentres or from the Business Link website.

Visit Business Link Website.