Firms 'breaking redundancy rules'

Rogue employers are using the economic downturn as an excuse to make staff redundant illegally, the Swindon-based National Bullying Helpline says.

In two recent cases, in Wiltshire and Somerset, employees were not consulted or given any warning, or told of their right to appeal, the charity said.

It warned bosses that they could face tribunal costs of £500,000 if they failed to follow proper procedures.

"The recession is not an excuse to cut corners," a helpline spokeswoman said.

The two latest cases are said to have left one worker in shock and the caused the second to collapse and needing medical treatment.

Employers were warned they must monitor and manage stress levels, employee welfare and morale and make sure they observe change management and redundancy employment legislation if they needed to lose staff.

The charity's chief executive Christine Pratt said 30% of the calls they were now handling related to unfair redundancy issues.

"Small employers believe that if they let a member of staff go they save a salary for a few months," she said.

"In the bigger picture - in a year's time they could find themselves in court for wrongful redundancy.

"Half a million pounds is what it can cost an employer in legal and other costs, the total package of going to tribunal."