Is being made redundant the same as being fired?

Asked by: Hardy Feest I  |  Last update: June 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (58 votes)

“Fired” usually means you've done something wrong, although that can be a matter of opinion or in most of the US, just a whim of the boss. Being made redundant means it was no fault of your own, they just don't need your position anymore.

Is being made redundant the same as fired?

Redundancy happens when your job disappears. It's not the same as being dismissed from your job for other reasons. When you're made redundant, you've done nothing wrong and no one is questioning your ability to do your job.

Is redundancy a form of termination?

Redundancy occurs when an employer either decides they no longer need an employee's job to be done by anyone, or the employer becomes insolvent or bankrupt, and terminates their employment.

What is the difference between redundancy and dismissal?

Redundancy is a form of termination caused by changes in the business, while dismissal is a form of termination caused by employee misconduct or poor performance. Is redundancy the same as being fired? No, redundancy is not the same as being fired.

Is it better to quit or be made redundant?

If you've worked for your employer for over 2 years you're usually better off waiting to be made redundant, as you'll probably get a redundancy payment. If you want to stay with your employer, they might offer you a new job.

Redundancy and your rights explained

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Can you go back to a job after being made redundant?

You can work again immediately after being made redundant, provided there are no restrictive covenants in your contract. These covenants can limit your ability to work in certain roles or industries for a specified period.

Can I say I quit if I was fired?

Hiring managers ask a number of questions during the recruitment and hiring process. Often, hiring managers want to know about your reasons for leaving a past position when screening applicants. If you were fired from that job, it's best to prepare in advance to answer as positively as possible.

Can you claim unfair dismissal if made redundant?

Usually you can only claim unfair dismissal if you were in your job for 2 years when you're made redundant. In some cases the 2 year limit doesn't apply, for example if you're dismissed because of discrimination or an 'automatically unfair' reason.

Is redundancy a layoff?

Layoffs refer to when an employee is dismissed from their role due to various reasons, from financial setbacks to restructuring. Redundancy occurs when a job is no longer necessary for business operations.

Why do people get made redundant?

new technology or a new system has made your job unnecessary. the job you were hired for no longer exists. the need to cut costs means staff numbers must be reduced. the business is closing down or moving.

What are the 3 types of redundancy?

The statutory definition of “redundancy” set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employee's dismissal must be “wholly or mainly attributable to”:
  • Business closure (closure of business altogether)
  • Workplace closure (one of several sites, or relocation to new site)
  • Reduction of work of a particular kind.

Can I get severance if I was fired?

A terminated employee may be entitled to more than the minimum amount of termination notice or pay required under employment standards legislation. This is often referred to as severance pay. Severance pay is determined under common law and not required under the Employment Standards Code.

What to say when being made redundant?

State the reason why the redundancy occurred, share your successes in the role before your redundancy, then make a more positive comment on the opportunity it created for you and how you believe you could add value in this particular role.

Is a redundancy a termination?

Genuine redundancy

This means your employer has made a decision that your job no longer exists, and your employment is to be terminated. Redundancy payments are a type of employment termination payment (ETP). Your genuine redundancy payment is: tax-free up to a limit depending on your years of service.

What do you get if you are made redundant?

Your employer must give you: 1.5 week's pay for each full year you worked from age 41. 1 week's pay for each full year you worked when you were between 22 and 40. half a week's pay for each year you worked when you were between 17 and 21.

Should I tell employer I was made redundant?

Whether you have or have not directly addressed the gap in your employment on your application. You should expect to have to talk about it in interviews. You may want to address your redundancy early on, perhaps when asked to tell the interviewer more about yourself.

Was I made redundant or fired?

Being made redundant is when your employer can't afford to keep you in your job, because they need to save money. Being fired is when your employer asks you to leave because of bad behaviour like stealing or fighting at work, or because they think you're not up to the job.

What does redundancy mean in HR?

Redundancy is the state of being redundant, or extraneous. In the context of human resources, redundancy is the condition of having too many employees doing the same job. This can be caused by organizational downsizing, the retirement of older employees, or the transfer of employees to other departments.

How long can you be laid off before you are terminated?

The expectation is that the employee will be recalled to their position once the reason for the layoff has been resolved. If an employee is not recalled to work by the end of the 90-day period, their employment is considered to be terminated as of the 91st day.

What is the 4 week rule redundancy?

You have the right to a 4-week trial period for any alternative employment you're offered. The 4-week period could be extended if you need training. Any extension must be agreed in writing before the trial period starts. Tell your employer during the trial period if you decide the new job is not suitable.

What are 5 automatically unfair dismissal?

Automatically unfair reasons for dismissal

family, including parental leave, paternity leave (birth and adoption), adoption leave or time off for dependants. acting as an employee representative. acting as a trade union representative. acting as an occupational pension scheme trustee.

Can you be fired without being told why?

The answer to “Can a job fire you for no reason?” is yes. Employers are not required to have a reason for terminating employees. However, refusing to provide a reason for termination may be an attempt to cover up illegal discrimination or retaliation.

How do I professionally say I got fired?

If you prefer, you can simply write "job ended," "laid off," or "terminated" on your job application. This is recommended since your goal with your application and resume is to get an interview. You have a much better chance of dealing with the issue in person than you do of dealing with it on paper.

Is it better to resign or be terminated?

Typically, employees who resign and end on good terms with an employer have a greater chance of receiving a positive reference from that former employer. On the other hand, when an individual has been terminated, their former employer might provide less than satisfactory remarks due to the circumstances.

Do you legally have to say if you were fired?

Are You Required to Disclose You Were Fired in an Interview? If a hiring manager doesn't ask, then there's no need to tell. It's best to avoid disclosing any potentially negative information about yourself during an interview if you don't have to.