× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

5 August, 2020 Open access

Acas issues new advice to employers to help mitigate redundancies, following record increase in calls to its helpline in June and July 2020

In addition, the Service warns that economic impact of coronavirus, and fears around the furlough scheme ending, has left employers and staff concerned about their future livelihoods

Acas has issued employers with new advice on redundancies following a record increase in calls to its helpline in June and July 2020.

Highlighting that it received 33,169 calls seeking advice on redundancy in June and July 2020 compared to 12,313 calls for the same period in 2019 - a 169 per cent increase in call volumes - Acas has issued its new advice in an effort to prevent redundancies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Key guidance includes that employers should -

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said today -

‘At the moment nearly a third of calls to our helpline are redundancy related. The economic impact of coronavirus, alongside fears around the furlough scheme tapering off, has left many employers and their staff concerned about their future livelihoods.

Some businesses have found innovative ways to deal with the crisis through a restructuring that has allowed them to safeguard jobs in consultation with trade unions. 

Our advice in this area recommends alternatives to redundancies, which should always be used be a last resort, as well how to follow the law if it cannot be avoided.’

For more information, see Acas issues advice on redundancies following record increase in calls to its helpline from acas.org.uk