The COVID-19 pandemic has presented some of the most significant challenges to employers since the global financial crash in 2008. For many employers, particularly in the retail, transport and tourism sectors, the pandemic has necessitated a reduction in headcount. While redundancy processes may be familiar to some businesses, employers should be mindful that dealing with larger groups of employees may constitute a collective redundancy. A collective redundancy can pose significant challenges for employers in respect of publicity, industrial relations and even potential criminal liability, where the notification and timing requirements set out in the Protection of Employment 1977 ("the 1977 Act") are not adhered to.

We set out below some key questions to help employers identify