Redundancy is one of the most challenging issues an organisation can face. While the legal framework governing redundancy in the UK is well established, how employers choose to handle the process often says far more about their culture than compliance alone ever could.
In a new article for HR Review, Susie Al‑Qassab, Senior Consultant at Bellevue Law, explores how organisations can approach redundancy ethically with care, transparency and dignity for those affected.
As Susie explains, redundancy processes that are rushed, impersonal or purely transactional can cause long‑lasting damage. Not only do they profoundly affect the individuals leaving the organisation, but they can also undermine trust, morale and engagement among those who remain. In contrast, handling redundancy thoughtfully can preserve relationships, protect reputation and support long‑term organisational health.
Susie’s article challenges employers to pause at the very beginning of any redundancy exercise and ask some fundamental questions. Are redundancies genuinely necessary? Are there alternatives that could achieve the same objectives with less human cost? And if redundancies are unavoidable, how can the process be managed in a way that remains fair, respectful and humane?
The article highlights several practical ways employers can move beyond a “tick‑box” approach and instead focus on ethical decision‑making, including:
- Planning carefully and questioning assumptions before launching a redundancy process
- Communicating openly and honestly, rather than defaulting to generic or impersonal messaging
- Engaging with affected employees as individuals, recognising the deeply personal impact of redundancy
- Supporting managers tasked with delivering difficult news, rather than leaving them to navigate it alone
Importantly, Susie emphasises that ethical redundancy is not at odds with commercial reality. On the contrary, organisations that handle redundancy well are often better placed to rebuild trust, maintain productivity and protect their employer brand in the long term.
You can read Susie’s full article, Ethical redundancy – doing it with dignity, on HR Review here:
👉 https://hrreview.co.uk/analysis/analysis-hr-news/susie-al-qassab-ethical-redundancy-doing-it-with-dignity/387296
If your organisation is considering a restructure or redundancy exercise and would like advice on managing the process fairly, legally and ethically, our team at Bellevue Law would be happy to help – Contact Us