Redundancy is when you ask staff to leave either because you do not need to employ them anymore or because you need to reduce the number of staff you have.
If you have to make your personal assistant redundant you must comply with the law around redundancy. Your personal assistant will have certain rights, which may include:
- redundancy pay
- a notice period
- consultation
- time off to find a new job.
You must pay statutory redundancy pay if your personal assistant has been working for you for two years or more. When someone has worked for you for two years or more they are entitled to:
- Half a week’s pay for each year they worked for you whilst under the age of 22.
- One full week’s pay for each year they worked for you when they were aged between 22 and 41.
- One and a half week’s pay for each year they worked for you when they were aged 41 or older.
Some insurance companies will help with redundancy payment cover as part of independent living insurance, depending on the reason and circumstances for the redundancy.
Note: There are no set rules regarding consultation if you are making less than 20 people redundant. However, it is still good practice to consult with your personal assistant on the redundancy situation.