How Redundancy Affects Bonuses
In some jobs a significant part of the employee’s remuneration will come through bonus payments. These are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, and can either be based on precisely defined criteria, such as the number of sales made in a given time period, or awarded by the employer on an unspecified discretionary basis.
In a redundancy situation, several complex questions arise in relation to bonuses.Bonuses and Redundancy Pay
The standard way of computing an employee’s entitlement to redundancy pay, whether at the minimum statutory level or a more generous contractually-specified payment, is based at its core on the number of weeks worked multiplied by the employee’s gross weekly earnings, modified by the employee’s age. If a worker is paid a fixed regular amount which is occasionally or even regularly supplemented by variable bonus payments, the obvious question is whether the variable bonus payments should be included in the weekly pay calculations and, if so, on what basis. The answer is yes. Where an employee has a constantly varying rate of pay, the normal procedure is to take the average hourly pay in the 12 weeks leading up to redundancy multiplied by the normal working hours in a week, and use that as the basis for calculations.
Annual Bonuses and Redundancy
If bonuses are paid on an annual rather than weekly or monthly basis, the procedure outlined above may clearly be inadequate. How annual bonuses will be handled in the event of redundancy may be specified in your contract of employment. If it is not, many employers will offer a pro rata payment for the part of the year already completed before your employment ends. If the employer chooses to be difficult, however, things become more complicated.
The law itself is unclear about how this situation should be handled. Bonus-related disputes which have gone to court, however, have established some precedents. How bonuses have been handled when employees have been made redundant previously within the same company has been judged to be significant; in addition, how such matters have been handled by comparable companies within the same industry has also been judged to be significant. If you find yourself in this situation, therefore, there may be some scope for you to take legal action against your employer, or to push for a settlement with either an implicit or explicit threat of legal action if no reasonable accommodation is made.
When the payment is made on a discretionary basis, the employer’s discretion has been found to be not unlimited. If, for example, your performance during the year can be shown to have been outstanding, and your employer arbitrarily refuses to make a bonus payment to you, a court may find that the employer has acted unreasonably.
Non-Cash Bonuses on Redundancy
If your employer normally finances part of your bonus to be received as tangible benefits rather than cash, for tax purposes the benefits are converted into a cash amount and thus will count towards your £30,000 tax-free upper limit.
Bonuses and Redundancy – Conclusion
Bonuses are one of the greyer areas of redundancy handling. Although the subject is perhaps inadequately addressed by existing legislation, custom and precedent have established some general principles which can provide a sufficient basis for taking action against an unreasonable employer in some cases.
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I am being made redundant 1st Oct 2021 and I always get paid a performance bonus. The amount is the same every month and never changes but my boss has told HR this is a variable bonus and is not including this in my redundancy payment? Should this be included? I've never missed this bonus in 13yrs and have the wage slips to prove it. Can I fight this?
Gillian - 16-Aug-21 @ 11:43 AM
Got voluntary Redundancy in May 21 after 6yrs with the company . Their financial year finished in July 21 . Just been announced all employees to get £2000 bonus in August 21 and a 10% annual bonus in Dec 21 am I entitled to get any of these bonuses ?
Nicky - 13-Aug-21 @ 3:28 PM
Hi,I was made redundant inDecember just before Christmas, I have worked for the company for 31 years, and all I will receive as a redundancy payment will be approximately £10,200.This seems very low for the amount of time I have worked for the company is this correct?Also we have had a bonus payment paid today which everyone should receive £750.00 however I have only received £610.00 can they do this?
Julie - 29-Jan-21 @ 9:39 AM
I have been made redundant and will leave in May 2021. I have been advised as it is global policy I will not receive what would be a significant bonus in March 2021 as I am in a redundancy period. The bonus is for my performance Jan to Dec 2020. They are paying instead as part of my redundancy a third of the bonus they paid me in 2019. Can you please advise as I wish to challenge this policy.
Tracey Burton - 23-Jan-21 @ 8:42 PM
Hi. I'm currently in the process of 45 day consultation period. I've put my name forward for voluntary redundancy. Due to end on the 23rd of December. Possibly have to work my notice which would go into March. I believe they have accepted my VR. Bomus payments have been paid out in November wage for which I'll still be employed for the company I have not received a bonus. I believe it to be a discretionary bonus. All other employees have recieved this.
Are the company allowed to do this?
Aggie - 25-Nov-20 @ 7:40 PM
I am currently in a 30 day consultation period for redundancy. I have worked for my employer for 11 years, I currently receive a bonus every month and have done so for years. I have been told that they will not use any bonus figers in my end of employment redundancy final financial statement - is this correct??
Just a little bit more info - everyone other than me in my department have not been working through the covid 19 situation, they have not been furloughed, they have been paid full pay and a guaranteed monthly bonus. I am literally the only individual working, again although technically I would have earned bonus they have also been paying me a guaranteed bonus. They are using this as to the reason why a bonus is not included in redundancy package. Any guidance please?
Sawbean - 21-Aug-20 @ 4:19 AM
I am still furloughed and have been told there has been a restructure whilst I have been away , my job is no longer there and my accounts have been distributed to a colleague who wasn’t furloughed . I have been asked to take a lesser role without my large national accounts, and my OTE changed ,& now not allowed to work from home which would significantly change my life. I do not see this new role as a suitable alternative to the role I had pre furlough .
Alternatively there is a small basic package of redundancy available capped at £538 per week ( I’ve been there over 20 years and am now 57 years old ) .
I feel as though this is a cheap way to get rid of someone that has built up the brand and business over the last 20 years , can anyone advise ?
Digger22 - 17-Aug-20 @ 7:57 PM
Hi.
During the COVID lockdown, my employer stated that they will not be paying the annual bonus that was due to be paid out in April, due to financial cut backs required.
At the beginning of July, I got notified I was being made redundant, due to the financial impact the pandemic has had on the company, along with a number of other employees.
Whilst my notice period is only 1 month. The employer have put myself on Furlough until October and then that will be my Redundancy date.
At this point I will of been employed by the company for 3 years.
This week, the Company have announced that they are retracting that bonus statement and they will be paying staff the annual bonus, that was due in April 2020.
My question is, as I am still technically employed by the company, should I be entitled to this annual bonus?
It isn’t a bonus based on individual performance. It’s a flat rate bonus given to all employees.
I’d really appreciate your advice.
Many Thanks
Tracey Hale - 15-Jul-20 @ 9:51 PM
I am 55, have been with my company for 15 years, I work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. My basic salary is supplemented (doubled) every month with flight pay and commission. How do I work out what statutory redundancy I am due?
Trolley Dolly - 2-Jul-20 @ 4:29 PM
I worked towards a discretionary bonus from January 19 - December 19, which I qualified for. They usually pay us for this bonus the following July (July 2020), however there are talks of redundancy’s due to the current pandemic. If they make me redundant before July, will I still be entitled to my receive bonus seen as I worked towards it during the previous year?
A - 13-Jun-20 @ 8:44 PM
Hi I am taking voluntary redundancy after 17 years service.I receive quarterly bonuses throughout the year totalling around £30000for last year, normally considerably more. Should these be included in my calculations?Thank you
Amanda - 12-Mar-20 @ 5:47 PM
I am going through redundancy after 21 years and have been paid a bonus every month should I get this for the last 3 months notice?
Dave - 13-Sep-19 @ 5:04 PM
I have just been put on consultation for redundancy along with 2 teammates as a result of a takeover by a big US Corp. I have been with the company for 8 years in a sales role, earning monthly commission and 2/3 months also a performance bonus. This commission and bonuses make up over 60% of my salary.
Will my redundancy pay calculation include these, or does it only have to cover my basic, which is only actually 40% of my actual earnings?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Ulissa_B - 21-Jul-18 @ 4:55 PM
My wife was made redundant from a company who operate as an employee ownership trust. This would usually entitle her to a cash bonus tax free up to £3600.
She has just received her bonus but has been taxed on it. She was made redundant in October with the bonus cut off date the end of January. The company say if she was there till January she would not have paid tax. Is this correct or should she still get it tax free?
Jl - 23-Mar-18 @ 4:28 PM
PAN - Your Question:
I have just received a notice of termination of employment due to redundancy only 2 weeks (zero working days I was on Christmas leave). The letter states that the consultancy period has concluded and that the company confirm that I (only me know one else) has been selected for redundancy. 14 days ago I had been called to the GM office without warning and in the first 20min meeting was informed that I would be made redundant. In this meeting I asked where and when did any meaningful consultations take place and could I see the process of prevention and finally selection. I was asked to leave and to attend a meeting the next day. The next day in the second 10min meeting I was asked if I would consider alternative employment to which I replied yes. I was asked to go home and await further written instructions and that I would be sent a letter detailing the process and a transcript of both meetings as well as other policy and process documents that would qualify my selection. In the closing of the second meeting the GM was insistent that my position was redundant not me! But also disclosed that the responsibility of my role would be distributed to others including the director portion to himself, in the letter received today my responsibility will be handed back to head office.I have now been formally dismissed and feel the process was wrong but I'm unsure what steps to take next.
Our Response:
You don't say how long you have been with your employer as you would not be able to claim unfair dismissal unless you have been with your employer for two years or more. In this case you would need to give ACAS a call in order to explore your options, if you have been with your company for longer than two years.
RedundancyExpert - 5-Jan-18 @ 11:26 AM
I have just received a notice of termination of employment due to redundancy only 2 weeks (zero working days I was on Christmas leave). The letter states that the consultancy period has concluded and that the company confirm that I (only me know one else) has been selected for redundancy. 14 days ago I had been called to the GM office without warning and in the first 20min meeting was informed that I would be made redundant. In this meeting I asked where and when did any meaningful consultations take place and could I see the process of prevention and finally selection. I was asked to leave and to attend a meeting the next day. The next day in the second 10min meeting I was asked if I would consider alternative employment to which I replied yes. I was asked to go home and await further written instructions and that I would be sent a letter detailing the process and a transcript of both meetings as well as other policy and process documents that would qualify my selection. In the closing of the second meeting the GM was insistent that my position was redundant not me! But also disclosed that the responsibility of my role would be distributed to others including the director portion to himself, in the letter received today my responsibility will be handed back to head office.
I have now been formally dismissed and feel the process was wrong but I'm unsure what steps to take next.
PAN - 4-Jan-18 @ 3:53 PM
I work for a major company via an agency. Every 6 month we get a bonus based on a monthly performance.
Our line manager explained our bonus has been delayed due to the boss for the agency going on holiday and he didn't sign it off.
While the boss was on holiday, we then found out that our line manager was now leaving the company. We asked the covering manager about our bonus, he now say he doesn't know what's happening with our bonus.
A week or so goes by, we have now been made redundant. A few of us have been there over 2 years.
At our consultations we have been in formed we are not getting a bonus. They have refused to give us a reason. They just said you can't expect to get a bonus when the company is in this situation.
I highlighted that if it was signed off before he went on holiday, we would of had our bonus and still been made redundant.
Do we have a case, is this a complicated one or no chance.
Many thanks
CCMR - 6-Sep-17 @ 9:13 PM
Hi, I have just been informed that I will be made redundant if after completion of the proposed customary consultation process no alternative position is found by employer within the company. I had a good performance in 2016, as attested by my annual appraisal, and I am eligible for being considered for a discretionary annual bonus for the year 2016 but was told that I will receive no bonus. As a guidance, in my case and in my industry the bonus represets circa 60% of my total annual compensation. Do I have a case to ask for the bonus, which whilst discretionary should be in line with what I would have received if I was not made redundant? Many thanks for your advice. Ivan
Ivan - 15-Jan-17 @ 1:14 PM
We have been given our date of leave but have been asked to stay on for another 8 weeks to help out with the move have been offered a bonus of £1500.00 to do this can you tell me if this is taxable
mackie - 10-Jan-17 @ 1:28 PM
@Gez - Only if your company says you are. Bonuses are not compulsary but are seen as voluntary gifts.
ollie - 19-Dec-16 @ 12:35 PM
Made redundant end of November, am I entitled to annual xmas bonus voucher of 500 Euro ,
Gez - 18-Dec-16 @ 7:52 AM
Stoney - Your Question:
Hi I'm now going through a redundancy process I have work for the company 1 and 8 months n I'm getting laid off on the 22nd of December am I entitled to the statutory pays over Christmas?
Our Response:
I am sorry ot hear this. If your term of service is under two years (including the consultation process), then unfortunately, you are not entitled to statutory redundancy pay, please see gov.uk link here.
RedundancyExpert - 15-Dec-16 @ 11:28 AM
Hi I'm now going through a redundancy process I have work for the company 1 and 8 months n I'm getting laid off on the 22nd of December am I entitled to the statutory pays over Christmas?
Stoney - 14-Dec-16 @ 9:36 PM
My company normally pays our annual performance-related bonus in Mid April, for the calendar year prior (i.e. they pay 3.5 months after the performance period).
My actual performance this year is likely to hit "Outstanding"
However, I am being made redundant between the end of the calendar year and the payment date (i.e. I have completed the performance period, but it hasn't yet been paid).
My company is intending to pay the absolute minimum "meeting expectations" payment, and is refusing to acknowledge the higher performance level, despite the fact that I will have worked the entire performance.
Other employees will continue to work for the company, and receive "fair" bonuses in April.
Is this legal?
Nate - 23-Nov-16 @ 12:55 PM
@Matt - if it is stipulated that it is taxable then it is. Rob.
Rob77 - 12-Oct-16 @ 11:13 AM
My company is making everybody redundant at the end of November. They have asked a small team to stay behind and close the factory. As a loyalty bonus they have offered £2000 to each person but stipulate this is taxable so cannot be added to the tax free £20,000 enhanced redundancy figure. Is this correct.
Thanks
Matt - 11-Oct-16 @ 2:43 PM
@Ray - I think in this case it would be a good idea to give Acas a call via the link here to see whether your company is within its rights or not.
RedundancyExpert - 1-Apr-15 @ 11:45 AM
I was made redundant by my employer after 23 years service on March 8th,
The company paid a yearly bonus every year but is refusing to pay my bonus as they say the Qualifying date is the end of March.
I find this to be unfair not paying me a bonus I have worked all year for, is there anything I can do.
Ray - 30-Mar-15 @ 12:26 PM
@Bren - it's hard to say specifically as you will need to look at your contract to see if it has anything relating to your bonus payment. You might want to give Acas a call, who can probably advise if you give more detail. I have included a link to its Advisory Booklet - Redundancy Handling here which may also help here. I hope this helps.
RedundancyExpert - 17-Dec-14 @ 10:05 AM
In my contract it states that I get £21,000 a year Whitchurch is broken down as monthly sallery of £1300 and a monthly fixed bonus of £420. The company is only payin redundancy based on the £1300. Is this right or should it include the monthly bonus too?
Bren - 16-Dec-14 @ 8:54 AM
