Looking for work

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 page 362: Qualifying for redundancy rights).

There is no fixed amount of time off employers should give. 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 now a tribunal fee for making this claim and Acas Early Conciliation applies. For many workers, the tribunal fee is likely to eclipse the maximum volume of the claim (see Chapter 13).