Made redundant · The practical steps
The practical bit, in the order I’d do it.
I’m not a lawyer. I’m a man who went through it. Seven steps, each with a place to check.
Try one thing today
Write down the date your job ends. Then write down the date six months less a day after it.
1Know where you stand.
Pay, notice, consultation, time off, other jobs. The government guide covers all of it in plain English.
Read your contract and your employer’s redundancy policy too. Some pay more than the legal minimum.
GOV.UK: Redundancy, your rightsGOV.UK: What to do when you’ve been made redundantCitizens Advice: challenge your redundancy
2Work out your money.
Statutory redundancy pay, notice, tax, and what you can claim while you look.
Statutory redundancy pay depends on your age, your years of service and your weekly pay, up to a limit that changes every April. You normally need two years’ service. Your contract may pay more. I haven’t put numbers here, because they go out of date. The official pages have the current ones, and a calculator.
Statutory redundancy payNotice periodsTax and National InsuranceClaiming benefits while you lookBenefits calculatorMoneyHelper: making the most of your redundancy payMoneyHelper: help with mortgage payments
3Ask your employer, in writing.
You are allowed to ask. Email it, and keep a copy.
- Why was my role chosen, and how were people scored?
- Are there other jobs I could do here?
- Is my notice worked or paid?
- How is my redundancy pay worked out? Can I see the sum?
- Can I bring a colleague or union rep to the meetings?
- Can I have time off to look for work?
- Is there an appeal, and by when?
4Learn the words.
Nobody tells you the vocabulary. Here are the terms that trip men up.
- Without prejudice
- A label on a letter or conversation meaning it can’t be used as evidence if talks fail.
- Protected conversation
- A confidential talk about you leaving on agreed terms. In an ordinary unfair dismissal claim it usually can’t be used as evidence. It doesn’t cover everything, so ask before you rely on it.
- Settlement agreement
- A legally binding deal, usually money in return for not bringing a claim. You must get independent advice on it before it counts. Ask whether your employer pays towards that advice.
- At risk
- Your role is in the pool for possible redundancy. It isn’t a decision yet.
- Consultation
- The talks your employer should hold before deciding. Group consultation is required when 20 or more jobs are going.
- Suitable alternative employment
- Another role your employer should offer you, if there is one.
- Garden leave
- You are paid but told not to work during your notice.
- Pay in lieu of notice
- You are paid instead of working your notice.
- Early conciliation
- Telling Acas you plan a tribunal claim. You have to do this first.
Don’t sign anything on the day. Take it home. Take advice first.
Acas: settlement agreementsAcas: confidentiality in settlement agreements
5Know the process the law expects.
A redundancy can be perfectly fair. A challenge usually rests on a bad process, not on the redundancy itself.
- A genuine reason the role is going.
- A fair way of choosing who goes. Not age, sex, disability or pregnancy.
- Proper consultation.
- A real look at other roles you could do.
Your employer doesn’t have to find you a job. They do have to consider suitable alternatives where they exist.
The clock is running. For a job that ended on or after 1 October 2026 in England, you have six months less a day to contact Acas before a tribunal claim. Before that date it was three. Unfair dismissal normally needs two years’ service for now, and that is due to fall to six months from 1 January 2027. Discrimination claims have no minimum.
Citizens Advice: was the reason fair?Citizens Advice: was the process right?Other jobs you should be offeredGOV.UK: suitable alternative employmentGOV.UK: before you make a tribunal claimUnfair dismissal rights
6Speak to someone who does this for a living.
Most of it is free. Start with Acas.
- Acas. Free and impartial. Helpline 0300 123 1100, weekdays.
- Citizens Advice. Free, with local offices and online guides.
- Your union, if you are in one. Many give free legal help to members.
- A solicitor. Many offer a short first chat free. Look for employment law.
- MoneyHelper. Free, government-backed help with pensions, debt and bills.
AcasCitizens AdviceFind a union (TUC)Find a solicitor (Law Society)MoneyHelper
7Check your insurance.
You might already be covered for legal costs and not know it.
Legal expenses cover often comes as an optional extra on home or car insurance. Look at your policy now, before you pay a solicitor anything.
- Tell your insurer as soon as you think there may be a dispute. Late notice can get a claim declined.
- Most policies need a claim with reasonable prospects of success.
- You may have to use their solicitor, and there may be a cap on hourly rates.
- Check that the policy covers employment disputes. Some don’t.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland; I’ve written for England. I link to the official page instead of copying it, so you always see the current rule. Last checked 13 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell me.