Yes. Redundancies should be the last resort. If you are considering redundancies, take advice on ways to avoid making them at all. Options open to you might include:
- Cutting overtime.
- Offering early retirement to employees who volunteer.
- Terminating temporary contracts.
- Retraining or redeploying workers - maybe to lesser jobs.
- Deferring starting dates for new employees.
- Offering sabbaticals or arranging secondments
Or you may be able to negotiate a reduction in your workforce, offering payments as compensation. You can ask employees to sign a compromise agreement so they promise not to bring an employment tribunal claim. Again, advice is essential.
