Collective Consultation: The Most Expensive Mistake in Employment Law

Individual redundancy errors cost you one claim. Collective failures cost you a protective award for every affected employee.

When it bites. Where 20 or more redundancies are proposed at one establishment within a 90-day period. Consultation must start at least 30 days before the first dismissal for 20–99 proposed redundancies, or 45 days for 100 or more.acas.org+1

The exposure has doubled. From 6 April 2026 the maximum protective award in Great Britain rose from 90 days’ pay to 180 days’ pay per affected employee, applying to dismissals on or after that date. It cannot be reduced on grounds of financial hardship.business+1

“Proposing” is earlier than you think. The obligation starts when a proposal is formed, not when letters go out. Boards routinely trigger it at the meeting approving the plan, then consult six weeks later.

Representatives. No recognised union means you must arrange an election. Appointing people yourself is not consultation.

Notification. Form HR1 goes to the Redundancy Payments Service in Great Britain — failure without reasonable excuse can attract an unlimited fine. In Northern Ireland it goes to the Department for the Economy.www

Considering 20 or more? Speak to us before the board signs it off. 0121 256 8043.