LRD guides and handbook June 2016

Law at Work 2016

Chapter 11

Looking for work 


[ch 11: pages 397-398]

While under notice of redundancy, employees have the right to reasonable paid time off during working hours to look for alternative work, provided they meet the qualifying conditions (see below: Qualifying for redundancy rights). 


There is no fixed amount of time off. If an employer refuses time off or payment for time off, employees can make a claim to a tribunal (section 52, ERA 96), but the maximum an employer can be ordered to pay is 40% of weekly earnings. The complaint must be made within three months of refusal. As with all tribunal claims, there is a tribunal fee for making this claim and Acas Early Conciliation applies. For many workers, the tribunal fee is likely to eclipse the maximum value of this claim (see Chapter 13).