What is a Protective Award?

Being made redundant at work can be a scary process. You might be worried about being able to pay for your living expenses or having to go out to a job market where you’re competing with some of your colleagues. It’s a highly stressful time, especially if your employer doesn't play fair.

If you're made redundant as part of a mass redundancy, for example, your employer might fail to consult you. A mass redundancy doesn’t have to be thousands or even hundreds of people losing their jobs. If you're made redundant with at least 19 other people, you're part of a collective redundancy. And you’re given extra protections to ensure you’re taken care of.

How much notice does my employer have to give in a mass redundancy?

It depends on the number of people being made redundant.

If the company is making up to 100 people redundant, they need to give 30 days notice.

If it’s more than 100 people, 45 days notice is needed.

My employer didn’t do a collective consultation - what do I do?

If you were made redundant as part of a collective redundancy, you can take them to a Tribunal. You can sign up to our free platform and we can help you get started today.

If you weren't consulted, you might qualify for a Protective Award. Even if you’ve worked at the company for less than 2 years!

How can I get a Protective Award?

An employee that was made redundant will have to take their employer to an Employment Tribunal. If the claim is successful, the Tribunal may award a Protective Award.

You do not have to take your employer to the Tribunal yourself. For example, if your colleague took your employer to Tribunal and won, they would need to name you or your job role in their claim for you to be eligible.

But someone needs to make the claim for you to be given compensation.

How do I apply for a Protective Award?

If you were included in the Tribunal judgement, you don’t need to take any action to claim your compensation. The Tribunal will reach out to you for any additional information as well as to let you know the amount you’re eligible for and the timeline for you getting your compensation.

How much is a Protective Award?

If your company has gone insolvent, the Government will pay you up to eight weeks of pay, capped at £571 per week.

If your company is not insolvent, your employer will pay you up to 90 days of full pay for each employee.

Am I eligible for any other compensation?

If you’re making a Tribunal claim for redundancy, you are eligible for other forms of compensation. This could include redundancy pay, notice pay, etc.

The Protective Award is specifically for employees who are not consulted about their redundancy beforehand.