Nearly half of employers in London likely to make staff redundant in next year, survey finds

A new survey has found that 46 per cent of employers in London are likely to make staff redundancies over the next year.

Acas, a workplace relations and dispute resolution authority, commissioned YouGov to ask businesses in London about their redundancy plans in the next 12 months.

Acas chief executive, Susan Clews, said: “Some businesses are facing tough challenges and our poll reveals that four in 10 employers in London are considering redundancies in the year ahead.

“Acas advice for bosses in London is to exhaust all possible alternatives to redundancies first, but if employers feel like they have no choice then they must follow the law in this area, or they could be subject to a costly legal process.”

The survey was carried out online and the total sample size was 1,013 senior decision makers at businesses across London, excluding sole traders. The survey was undertaken between January 9-18, 2023. 

If an employer finds there are no other choices than to make redundancies, then there are strict rules on consulting staff that they must follow.

An employer must discuss any planned changes and consult with each employee who could be affected. This includes staff who may not be losing their jobs but will be impacted.

If an employer does not meet consultation requirements, employees can take their employer to an employment tribunal.

If successful, the employer may have to pay up to 90 days’ full pay for each affected employee.

Someone can also make a claim of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal on the grounds that they were not consulted, or the consultation was not meaningful.

Acas’s full advice for staff and employers about redundancies is available at: www.acas.org.uk/redundancy

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