correct procedure? Made redundant without notice

I have received a letter in the post saying that i am redundant, effective immediately!
i have had no consultation or warning of this redundancy.
surely this isn't correct procedure!

I am sorry to hear that you have been notified about your redundancy without warning. Redundancy is a stressful situation more so when you no prior warning or preparation.


I have several questions that you may or may not know the answer to. Any more information that you could give me would help me to advise you appropriately.


Has your employer outlined why you would be made redundant?
How many people have been made redundant?
Is you company a Limited Company?
Is the company still trading or has it been declared insolvent?

I look forward to your reply.

thanks for the speedy response.

The reason for redundancy is based on recent sales in recent trading conditions and looking forward to future business over the coming year, the business needs to reduce overheads, the greatest cost reduction being achieved by reducing staff numbers, with immediate effect!

Myself and the other woman who started at the same time have had the same letter.

The company is a plc.

The company is still trading.

I don't know if it makes a difference but, the letter is headed with my name and address but made out to Dear (another colleagues name)!

Can you let me know how long you have been continuously employed by this company?

i started at the beginning of May this year

As unfair as it sounds, I'm afraid in order to qualify for Redundancy you need to have at least 2 years continuous service with your employer. Furthermore, to make a claim for unfair dismissal, you need to have one year's service except in some limited situations.

As your employer has not given you notice of your redundancy, you should receive notification of your termination, payment in lieu of notice and any other payments owed to you by the employer such as holiday pay, outstanding wages, bonus payments etc.

As you have detailed in your posts, others have been made redundant from your employer that started at the same time, but if you feel that you have been dismissed for any discriminatory reason (such as your employer claiming you are redundant but you feel you are actually being dismissed because you are pregnant), you do not have to have worked for your employer for any qualifying period to be able to claim compensation for discrimination from an employment tribunal.