Dismissal, redundancy and retirement

Multipage Guide

Who is this page for?

  • Employers

Which countries is it relevant to?

    • England flag icon

      England

    • |
    • Scotland flag icon

      Scotland

    • |
    • Wales flag icon

      Wales

If you are an employer, and you are making a decision, or taking action following a decision, to dismiss a worker, make a worker redundant, tell someone they must retire because they've reached a particular age, or what you do after someone has stopped working for you (for example, if you are asked for a reference), equality law applies to you.

Equality law applies:

  • whatever the size of your organisation
  • whatever sector you work in
  • whether you have one worker or ten or hundreds or thousands
  • whether or not you use any formal processes or forms to help you make decisions (although sometimes the law says you must follow a formal process and that some things have to be done in writing).

This guide tells you how you can avoid all the different types of unlawful discrimination. It recognises that smaller and larger employers may operate with different levels of formality, but makes it clear how equality law applies to everyone, and what this means for the way you (and anyone who already works for you) must do things.

Last updated: 19 Feb 2019

Further information

If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service.

Phone: 0808 800 0082

You can email using the contact form on the EASS website.

Also available through the website are BSL interpretation, web chat services and a contact us form.

Post:
FREEPOST
EASS HELPLINE
FPN6521

Opening hours:

9am to 7pm Monday to Friday
10am to 2pm Saturday
closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Alternatively, you can visit our advice and guidance page.