UK redundancy next steps
Made redundant? Work through the facts first.
Separate what you are owed, what support may be available and what your next application needs. This checklist gives each task a clear place instead of treating redundancy as one large problem.
First-week checklist
Five tasks that produce concrete answers.
The exact rights depend on employment status, service, contract, consultation and jurisdiction. Use the documents from your employer alongside official guidance, and seek advice promptly if the process or payment appears wrong because claim deadlines apply.
Step 1
Get the decision and calculation in writing
Keep the redundancy notice, consultation records, selection information, employment contract and the employer's pay calculation. Acas says an employer must explain in writing how statutory redundancy pay was worked out.
Step 2
Separate redundancy pay from final pay
Your leaving package can contain different items: statutory or enhanced redundancy pay, wages, notice pay, holiday pay, bonuses and expenses. They do not all receive the same tax treatment. Check each line rather than judging only the total.
Step 3
Check the dates and notice period
Confirm when employment legally ends, whether you work notice, receive garden leave or receive payment in lieu. Statutory notice can sometimes change the service date used for redundancy calculations.
Step 4
Review support before cash runs down
GOV.UK says New Style Jobseeker's Allowance can depend on National Insurance contributions, while Universal Credit depends on household circumstances and capital. Check eligibility early instead of assuming redundancy pay rules out support.
Step 5
Turn the role into current CV evidence
Capture projects, systems, customers, responsibilities and measurable outcomes while details are fresh. Redundancy is a business decision, not a performance gap; your CV can state the end date without defending it.
Check the money
Do not treat the final payment as one tax-free lump sum.
Up to £30,000 of qualifying redundancy and eligible termination payments can usually fall within the Income Tax exemption. Payment in lieu of notice, holiday pay, wages and some benefits are handled separately through payroll. Ask for an itemised calculation and compare statutory redundancy against any enhanced contractual amount.
Rebuild the application
Redundancy does not need a defensive CV explanation.
End the role with its normal month and year. Use the space for responsibilities and evidence rather than a long explanation of the employer's decision. If an application asks why you left, “role made redundant following restructuring” is usually enough; then return to what you can deliver in the next role.
Official help
Guidance reviewed 30 June 2026.
Put the next application back under your control.
Build and preview your UK CV free. Pay £7.99 once only when this saved CV is ready to download.