More workers will be made redundant this summer despite talk of green shoots of recovery in the UK economy, a report claims.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said it received more than 5,000 calls from HR professionals last month who were making enquiries related to redundancy.

Data in the body’s ‘RedundancyWatch’ report also showed that the number of HR staff seeking advice on redundancy procedures was unchanged in recent months and consistent with the first quarter of 2009.

CIPD Chief Economist Dr John Philpott said: “With many HR professionals already familiar with the legal process, the continued high demand for redundancy advice might understate the number of redundancies about to be made this summer.

“The uncertain economic outlook, coupled with concerns about credit supply, is forcing the nervous hand of employers to make job cuts, which are further job cuts in many cases.”

As a result of this trend, employment tribunals could face more claims related to redundancy and unfair dismissal this summer.

Indeed, last month a 31-year-old woman was awarded £5,000 compensation for sex discrimination after her former employer, Airlink Management Services, was accused of axing her job because staff had accessed a draft email she had written which revealed she was pregnant.

 

 

For further assistance on employment matters including compromise agreements and redundancy advice call Bernard Reilly at kenneth elliott + rowe solicitors on 01708 757575