Mass redundancies during the pandemic

It’s becoming a sad reality: another day and another large organisation announcing potential large scale redundancies.

In these unprecedented times, it is important that employers remember that the normal redundancy rules will still apply, notwithstanding the pandemic.

Employers looking to make more than 20 redundancies will need to follow collective redundancies rules, which includes consulting with employees and/or their representatives for up to 45 days.

However, will employers be able to afford to do this if cash-flow is tight?  Will employers try and rely on the “special circumstances” defence (which is hard to rely on!) and argue that such consultation was not reasonably practicable?  Will some employers even remember?

For assistance managing any redundancy processes, we can help.

Heathrow airport has warned that it may soon follow British Airways in announcing mass redundancies unless the government restores confidence by planning for how flying could restart

https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/may/01/heathrow-boss-ba-redundancies-john-holland-kaye-safety-air-travel
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