Today's article looks at the fine details that employers must consider in redundancy situations in order to avoid findings of unfair dismissal and sizeable awards being made in favour of redundant employees.


Gerry Fennell v Resource Facilities Support Limited UD57/2009,

Facts

The respondent (the employer) is a facilities management business that acquired the company for which the claimant (the employee) worked as Area Manager.

In May 2008 and October 2008 the employer decided to restructure its operation and add a Managing Director and extra layer of Operations Directors and Operations Managers. This resulted in the rationalisation of the role of Area Manager and the loss of 13 jobs.

The restructuring was verbally announced on 8 October 2008 at a meeting