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LAYING OFF STAFF
WITH CHRISTMAS fast approaching, even the best run companies can suffer a temporary drop in their workload. This may result in the need to lay off drivers over the Christmas period or put them onto short-time working as an alternative to redundancy — but you need to follow the rules.
I. What is a lay-off?
A lay-off situation is when employees are not provided with work by their employer and the situation is expected to be temporary.
There is a general right in common law to tell employees not to turn up for work but there is no general right not to pay them because work is not available. When the lay-off amounts to dismissal the employees may be entitled to redundancy pay or, in some circumstances, may be able to complain of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.
2. When is it legal?
Laying oh is only legal when there is an express contractual right agreed between employer and employee, or where there is an agreement between the organisation and the