As the news broke regarding the hundreds of workers losing their jobs at P&O, we wonder how this is lawful?
UK employment law requires employers to complete an HR1, with 45 days prior to the first redundancy for consultation, if they propose to make more than 100 redundancies.
Whilst the lawyers look into the legal nuances of this specific case at P&O, we need to remind ourselves that for big and small business in the UK, this practice shown by P&O is unlawful, immoral and unjust.
For any business considering redundancies, please always seek professional advice, to protect your employees and your business. HR People Support Ltd
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The CIPD warns that businesses that fail to consult and treat people fairly face significant risks and costs
Rachel Suff, employee relations adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments:
“Business leaders must recognise that sacking staff on the spot via video, and with no notice, is inhumane and very difficult to justify, whatever the circumstance.
“While it is a harsh reality that organisations sometimes must make job cuts, there is never any excuse for employers not to fully consider the wellbeing and financial costs to workers, and how to minimise these.
“Businesses that fail to meet their legal and moral obligations to consult and treat people fairly face significant risks and costs and, just as importantly, will suffer long-lasting damage to staff morale and employment relations, as well as to their reputation and brand.
“Employers should always act with integrity and compassion and respect the dignity of their staff throughout the process if they have to take decisions that impact people’s employment.”
