Can an employer lie about how many people they are making redundant?

mark1234567890

Hi everyone,

I've just found out that I'm being made redundant at the end of the month. I have worked for the company for less than two years and am currently on furlough.

I haven't accepted anything yet as I want to know if there will be a 30-day consultation period if there are more than 20 people being made redundant. I have asked the HR department for this information. Can they lie to me so that they don't need to go through the 30-day consultation period? I have no private contact with my colleagues so I cannot find out from them.

Thanks

Alter_ego

As you've worked less than 2 yrs they don't have  to do anyhing  or tell you anything. They can just sack you. Unless of course they sack you for one of the protected disabilities etc.

mark1234567890

Alter_ego said:

As you've worked less than 2 yrs they don't have  to do anyhing  or tell you anything. They can just sack you. Unless of course they sack you for one of the protected disabilities etc.

Understood. Thanks

Masomnia

Alter_ego said:

As you've worked less than 2 yrs they don't have  to do anyhing  or tell you anything. They can just sack you. Unless of course they sack you for one of the protected disabilities etc.

That's not the case if they are making 20 or more people redundant; you don't need 2 years service to claim a protective award.

mark1234567890

Masomnia said:

Alter_ego said:

As you've worked less than 2 yrs they don't have  to do anyhing  or tell you anything. They can just sack you. Unless of course they sack you for one of the protected disabilities etc.

That's not the case if they are making 20 or more people redundant; you don't need 2 years service to claim a protective award.

Thanks. Now I just need to find out if there have been or will be 20 redundancies over this 90-day period. If they tell me that is...

sharpe106

I doubt they would lie about it, as it is fairly obvious that if they are making large redundancies that people will talk and others will know. 

Thrugelmir

That's over 20 people in a 90 day period. Many organisation will also use a head count freeze / non replacement of employees who leave of their own violation to achieve their final objectives. 

mark1234567890

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on this. I have just received this reply from HR regarding whether collective consultation applies in this case:

Unfortunately I am not in a position to disclose this information at present as there are still some employees that are involved in this process who are unaware that their role may be at risk of being made redundant.

 

Collective consultation does not apply to these current redundancies as less than twenty employees have been made redundant.

Does that seem right? Surely they must tell people when their role is at risk of being made redundant?

lincroft1710

It could be the case they have not finalised their "possibles" list, so do not want to act prematurely.

Thrugelmir

Consultation can take place over an extended period of time. Every employee has the right to express their point of view. Perhaps some employees are currently away on holiday.