Redundancy Agreements
Are you being made redundant?
Have you been asked to sign a redundancy agreement?
We can help!
Wherever you live in the UK, we can help. There is no need for us to meet up face to face. We can sort your Redundancy Agreement out over the phone or video call (Zoom/WhatsApp/Facetime) and by post or email.
Your employers will usually agree to pay for the legal costs.
Contact Our Team Of Legal Experts Online
Have You Been Asked To Sign A Redundancy Agreement?
If your employment is at risk of being terminated and your employer has offered you a redundancy agreement, then we can help.
Please call us on 01536 276300 or 01536 311690 about your redundancy agreement or use our online enquiry form.
We can help you with understanding what redundancy agreements are all about before you make a decision on whether to sign one and ensure you get the best possible terms.
Please note – The phrase ‘Redundancy Agreement’ is often another way of referring to a ‘Settlement Agreement‘ or previously a ‘Compromise Agreement‘.
What Is A Redundancy Agreement?
A redundancy agreement is a legal agreement reached between an employer and employee setting out the terms on which an employee’s employment will be voluntarily terminated. Usually it involves the employer paying the employee a sum of money to cover their pay in lieu of notice and in addition making an enhanced tax-free termination payment to compensate the employee for voluntarily agreeing to their employment being terminated. It is a binding legal agreement where the employee will agree not to take any further legal action against the employer following the termination of their employment, such as issuing legal proceedings in a court or employment tribunal. In addition the employee will agree to make various promises for example to keep company information confidential, to return company property, not to make any critical or derogatory comments, not to talk about the circumstances of the termination nor even to talk about the redundancy agreement itself. Given the serious nature and implications of redundancy agreements, it is important to ensure that expert advice is obtained before one is signed off.
Please note – The phrase ‘Redundancy Agreement’ is often another way of referring to a ‘Settlement Agreement‘ or previously a ‘Compromise Agreement‘.
Why You Must Get Specialist Legal Help Before Accepting A Redundancy Agreement
If you have been offered a redundancy agreement, then it is your employers’ responsibility to ensure that you have received independent legal advice before signing it, otherwise, the agreement will not be legally binding or enforceable. Legal advice is needed so that your employers can be sure that you fully understand the implications of entering into an agreement about a redundancy. It is also your employer’s responsibility to ensure that they give you a reasonable amount of time to consider whether to accept the terms.
ACAS, the independent, advisory, conciliation and arbitration service, have written a Code of Practice on Settlement Agreements which provides useful guidance on how they should be offered.
For many, a redundancy agreement is a positive step forward. However, if you have been offered one, then it usually comes as a surprise, so it’s important to keep your head and not to feel under pressure to sign.
At Seatons, we will make sure that we take the time to listen to you and find out the background circumstances of why you were offered the redundancy agreement. We do this so that we can properly advise you as to whether it really is in your best interests to sign.
There are some circumstances where you may be able to negotiate better terms that those that have been offered, such as an increased termination payment or a positive reference.
While many employers are offering these agreements with the best of intentions, the fact that they prevent further action being taken by an employee makes it possible that other less scrupulous employers could use it to prevent employees from receiving their full legal entitlement.
What About Paying Legal Costs?
Virtually every settlement agreement provides that your employers pay your legal costs direct. So long as you eventually sign the redundancy agreement then you should not have to pay anything towards your legal costs.
What Can I Do If I Am Unhappy With The Terms Of My Redundancy Agreement?
If you are not happy with the redundancy agreement that has been offered to you, then you do not have to sign and accept it. You could simply do nothing and see what next steps and actions your employers choose to take. This would usually be for them to attempt to forcibly terminate your employment. Alternatively, you could try and negotiate a better deal than that you’ve been offered,
If your employer is unwilling to negotiate, then you may find that the alternative of not signing is your best option. In this situation, if you refuse to sign and your employer then terminates your employment, then you have the option to issue legal proceedings in a court or tribunal against your employer. This can be a stressful, risky and expensive process to go through and you must always seek legal advice before issuing any legal proceedings.
Usually, your employer will offer you a package that is in excess of what you would normally receive than if they were to forcibly terminate your employment. You need to carefully consider what is on offer in any agreement that is put to you.
Please note – The phrase ‘Redundancy Agreement’ is often another way of referring to a ‘Settlement Agreement‘ or previously a ‘Compromise Agreement‘.
Specialist Advice Is A Must Before You Sign Anything
If your employment is at risk and you have been asked to sign a legal redundancy agreement, then speaking with a firm of solicitors such as ourselves is a highly recommended. We can review your agreement and will speak with you about what you need to do and whether the agreement provides you everything that you are entitled to.
Talk To Seatons About Your Legal Redundancy Agreement
Your employers may already be placing you under a lot of pressure. Please contact us and we can discuss how we can help. We’ll be able to review your agreement and offer advice on the situation and what your legal entitlements are. It doesn’t matter what your field of work or what level you’re employed at –we can support you to ensure that you receive what is rightfully yours.
Get Specialist Legal Advice About A Redundancy Agreement
Getting advice from solicitors such as ourselves will help ensure that:
- You receive the legal entitlement you deserve
- You are not giving up and signing over your employment rights if you’re less than satisfied with the terms
- You’ll have options to negotiate and explore a satisfactory resolution without having to issue legal proceedings in a court or employment tribunal
- You will be able to make an informed decision about signing the agreement with confidence after speaking to a solicitor
If you’re unsure whether we can provide you with the help you need, or if you are worried about costs, missing out on entitlements or anything else about redundancy, then please get in touch today. You don’t have to be rushed into a decision and a solicitor can advise you on the best course of action for your individual situation.
Please note – The phrase ‘Redundancy Agreement’ is often another way of referring to a ‘Settlement Agreement‘ or previously a ‘Compromise Agreement‘.
How We Can Help
Our expert solicitors will be able to give you the help and advice that you need so that you can move on, knowing that you have the best deal for you.
We will give you expert, tailored and independent advice. We are known as “the Friendly Professionals” and this is at the heart of everything we do. We will give you the help and advice that you need at, what can be a very difficult time.
We understand that this can be a very troubling and often emotional time for you. We will always take the time to sit with you and to fully explain the legal implications of your redundancy agreement. We don’t use unnecessary legal jargon and we will work hard for you, the client.
If you have received a redundancy agreement and you are not sure where to turn, then look no further. Contact us today.
Have You Been Asked To Sign A Redundancy Agreement?
If your employment is at risk of being terminated and your employer has offered you a Redundancy Agreement, then we can help.
We can help you with understanding what settlement agreements (formerly known as a compromise agreement) are all about before you make a decision on whether to sign one.
Here for you.
We act for clients in Corby, Kettering, across Northamptonshire as well as all over the country in England and Wales. Distance is not a problem!
Call our Corby office on 01536 276300 or our Kettering office on 01536 311690 today or contact us online.