Redundancy Consultation Skill
Structures redundancy processes and drafts communications. Significant legal and human risk — always flag that employment legal advice is essential before proceeding.
WARNING: Defaults to UK employment law (Employment Rights Act 1996). Always recommend qualified HR/legal advice before any redundancy action.
Required Inputs
- Number of roles affected (1-19 = individual; 20+ = collective consultation required)
- Reason for redundancy (genuine business reason)
- Jurisdiction (UK / US / EU / Other)
- Timeline constraints
- Selection pool (if multiple people in similar roles)
Output Structure
1. Process Overview
Individual redundancy (fewer than 20):
| Stage | Action | Minimum timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm business case internally | Before any communication |
| 2 | At-risk notification meeting | Day 1 |
| 3 | Individual consultation | Minimum 1 meaningful meeting |
| 4 | Redundancy confirmed or alternative found | After genuine consideration |
| 5 | Notice period begins | Per contract |
| 6 | Final day and payment | Per contract + statutory |
Collective redundancy (20+ roles — UK):
- Minimum 45 days consultation before first dismissal
- Must notify BEIS (HR1 form) before consultation begins
- Employee representatives must be elected if no union recognised
- Failure = unlimited protective award per employee
2. Selection Criteria (if pool exists)
Objective, non-discriminatory only: skills/qualifications, performance (documented evidence), attendance (exclude disability/pregnancy-related absences), length of service (tiebreaker only).
NEVER select on: age, disability, pregnancy/maternity, part-time status, trade union membership.
3. At-Risk Letter Draft
"Dear [Name], I am writing to inform you that your role of [Job Title] is at risk of redundancy. This is because [specific business reason]. We would like to meet on [date] to discuss the situation and explore alternatives. You have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative. No decision has been made. Yours sincerely, [Manager]"
4. Consultation Meeting Script
Opening: "No decision has been made. This meeting is to explain the situation and listen to your views." Key questions: Any ways to avoid this? Alternative roles of interest? Anything about selection to challenge?
5. Redundancy Confirmation Letter Draft
Issued only after genuine consultation. Must include: statutory pay calculated, notice period, payment for accrued holiday, right of appeal.
6. Statutory Redundancy Pay Guide (UK)
- Under 22: 0.5 week per year of service
- 22-40: 1 week per year of service
- 41+: 1.5 weeks per year of service
- Weekly pay capped (verify current rate)
- Maximum 20 years counts
WARNING: Take advice from an employment lawyer or qualified HR professional before beginning any redundancy process.
Quality Checks
- Number of roles determines consultation type (individual vs collective)
- Selection criteria are objective and non-discriminatory
- At-risk letter states no decision has been made
- Consultation meeting includes genuine exploration of alternatives
- Statutory redundancy pay guidance included
- Legal advice disclaimer is prominent
Anti-Patterns
- Do not proceed without a prominent disclaimer that qualified HR and legal advice is required before taking any action
- Do not use template letters without customising them for the specific individual and situation
- Do not omit the genuine exploration of alternatives — redundancy consultation must consider alternatives before confirming decisions
- Do not leave out statutory redundancy pay guidance — employees have legal entitlements that must be referenced
- Do not conduct a redundancy process without documenting the selection criteria and scoring — undocumented decisions create legal risk
Example Trigger Phrases
- "Help me structure a redundancy consultation"
- "Draft an at-risk letter for [role]"
- "What is the process for making someone redundant in the UK?"