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Despite the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to a close at the end of September, lawyers warn that planning redundancies should begin now. New research published by the Government shows that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has supported a cumulative total of 11.6 million jobs since March 2020. However, with new changes to employer contributions already coming into force, law firm Nelsons has warned that businesses should start planning ahead and thinking carefully about redundancies. Laura Kearsley, partner and solicitor specialising in employment law at Nelsons, discusses the minimum consultation periods which must take place before redundancies take effect: Faced with uncertain trading times for many businesses and now partial financial responsibility for all employees, many employers will need to review their workforce and requirements to consider whether current levels of staffing are sustainable. If an employer intends to make more than 20 people redundant, this triggers collective consultation requirements, including minimum consultation periods during which redundancy dismissals cannot take effect. The consultation period for employers who anticipate making 100 or more people redundant is 45 days and for those anticipating making between 20 and 99 redundancies it is 30. As such, Ms. Kearsley urges businesses to think about commencing
