Is redundancy the same as termination?

Asked by: Ryan Schumm  |  Last update: November 20, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (2 votes)

Trent Hancock, Principal, Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers, explains that redundancy is a specific form of termination and has different legal requirements. “A role is redundant when it is no longer required to be performed by anyone within the employer's business,” he says.

Is being made redundant the same as being terminated?

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. The job itself, not the employee, becomes redundant.

Is redundant the same as being 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 valid reason for termination?

Yes, redundancy is recognized as a valid basis for dismissal under Article 117 of the UAE Labour Law, especially when it is aimed at cost-saving measures and not due to incompetence or wrongdoing on the part of the employee.

Is redundancy the same as 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.

Redundancy, Understanding the Basics

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What does termination due to redundancy mean?

If there is no longer a role for an employee to perform, they may be legally dismissed by reason of redundancy. “In these circumstances, the dismissal has nothing to do with the employee's capacity or conduct,” says Hancock. “Instead, their employment ends simply because the job is no longer needed by their employer.

Is it better to be made redundant or resign?

If you think you might 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.

Can my employer make me redundant?

Your employer has a right to make redundancies, but they must use fair reasons when they choose who to make redundant. You can challenge your redundancy if your employer chooses you for a reason that's either: 'automatically unfair'

Why is redundancy bad?

All employees can experience significant levels of stress during a layoff process. For those made redundant, this stress is exacerbated by financial concerns about how they will pay their bills. The feelings of helplessness and anxiety over a job loss could lead to ill mental and physical health.

Can employers see reason for termination?

Can a Background Check Reveal if a Candidate Was Fired? It's possible that a job candidate's previous employers will reveal if he or she was fired from their previous job and the reason for the dismissal. However, in most cases, don't expect to receive this information.

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.

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.

Why do employers make employees redundant?

Redundancy occurs when an employer needs to reduce their workforce due to business-related reasons, such as cost-cutting, restructuring, or closure.

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.

Can a former employer say you were terminated?

The answer is “yes.” A potential employer might conduct a reference check with previous employers to verify that you worked for them within the dates included on your resume. While a previous employer can legally disclose that you've been fired, it doesn't always mean they will.

How to calculate a redundancy payout?

The formula for calculating your employee's redundancy payment is Base Rate of Pay x Redundancy Pay Period = Redundancy Pay.

Why redundancy should be avoided?

Redundancy in writing is a common pitfall that often weakens the impact of your message. Whether you're drafting an essay, a report, or any form of written communication, avoiding redundancy is key to ensuring your writing is concise, clear, and effective.

What makes a redundancy unfair?

your employer did not follow a fair process. your employer did not hold genuine and meaningful consultation before making redundancies. your employer failed to consider alternatives to redundancy. there was a suitable alternative role available that your employer failed to offer you.

Is it good to be made redundant?

Being made redundant can be a good opportunity to find a new role, adjust your career path, or even start a fresh career. But success takes a bit of planning and work! Being made redundant is often a tough thing to overcome. Yet, an amazing two per cent of Australian workers experience it every year!

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.

What are the 5 stages of redundancy?

Basically, there are five main stages to consider during the redundancy process:
  • Stage 1: Preparation. ...
  • Stage 2: Selection. ...
  • Stage 3: Individual Consultation. ...
  • Stage 4: Notice of Redundancy and Appeals. ...
  • Stage 5: The Termination Process.

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.

Is redundant the same as fired?

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.

Should you tell a potential employer you were made redundant?

If you've been made redundant you may be concerned that this may put off future employers. However, if you've been made redundant in your career, you shouldn't be afraid to talk about this experience, both on your resume, and in any future job interviews.

What to do when you are being pushed out of your job?

If you've realized that your boss doesn't want you working at the company anymore, you have two options. The first is to stick it out and get fired, and the second is to quit. Deciding how to act if your boss wants to fire you is your call. There's no right answer.