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What to do if…
you are told your job is being eliminated or you are included in immediate layoffs

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not resign or sign an agreement immediately. Ask for written confirmation of whether the redundancy is proposed or final, your current employment status, your possible end date, the notice arrangements, the process being followed, and every payment the employer says you will receive.

Do not do these things

  • Do not resign merely because you have been told to leave or have lost access to work systems.
  • Do not sign a settlement agreement, voluntary redundancy form, waiver, or release without time to read it and obtain appropriate advice.
  • Do not confirm that a payment calculation is correct before receiving the figures in writing.
  • Do not copy confidential business information, customer data, source code, or other material you are not entitled to keep.
  • Do not delete work material, damage company property, or send messages while angry or distressed.
  • Do not assume that an internal consultation, grievance, or appeal changes an external claim deadline.
  • Do not ignore a response date in a letter or email while waiting for advice.

What to do now

  1. Write down exactly what you were told, when it was said, who was present, and whether the employer described you as at risk, provisionally selected, selected for redundancy, or already dismissed.

  2. Ask the employer to confirm in writing:

    • whether you are still employed
    • whether the decision is proposed or final
    • your expected last day of employment
    • whether you will work your notice, be placed on garden leave, or receive payment instead of notice
    • whether consultation, selection, redeployment, or an appeal is still available

  3. Request the documents relevant to your situation, which may include the redundancy announcement, consultation information, selection pool and criteria, your scores, the redundancy policy, the appeal procedure, and details of alternative vacancies.

  4. Ask for an itemised written calculation covering salary, notice pay, unused holiday, redundancy pay, expenses, commission or bonuses, pension arrangements, benefits, deductions, and expected payment dates.

  5. Keep personal employment records that you may lawfully retain, such as your contract, payslips, job description, redundancy correspondence, performance records, and your own notes of meetings. Do not take confidential employer or customer material.

  6. Contact your trade union or employee representative promptly if you have one. For work in England, Scotland, or Wales, contact Acas. For work in Northern Ireland, contact the Labour Relations Agency. Mention any same-day dismissal, missing consultation, suspected discrimination, pregnancy or relevant family leave, whistleblowing, health and safety activity, or pressure to resign or sign documents.

  7. Put every stated consultation, appeal, payment, and document deadline in your calendar. Seek advice promptly because different employment claims can have different time limits, and an internal process might not extend them.

  8. If you have been told to leave immediately, return company property through an agreed method, request a receipt, give the employer a personal email and postal address, and ask how your final payslip, P45, payment breakdown, and other documents will be delivered.

  9. Protect essential finances for the next few weeks. List your next rent or mortgage payment, utilities, food, transport, childcare, and minimum debt payments, and pause optional non-refundable spending until your final-pay position is clearer.

What can wait

You do not need to decide today whether the redundancy was lawful, whether to accept a settlement, what your next career move will be, or how to use any redundancy payment. A full job search, pension changes, major financial decisions, and public announcements can wait until you have the written documents, dates, and payment figures.

Important reassurance

Being sent home, removed from systems, or included in a same-day announcement does not by itself settle what notice, pay, consultation, alternative-employment, or appeal arrangements may apply. Your immediate task is to create a clear written record, avoid giving up options, and obtain appropriate support.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Reviewing the process, challenging a decision, negotiating a settlement, claiming payments, applying for benefits, and making longer-term financial or career decisions may require specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Employment status, contract terms, length of service, workplace location within the UK, employer insolvency, and the number and timing of proposed redundancies can affect rights, processes, payments, and deadlines. Employment law and tribunal procedures differ between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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