layed off

[grifter]

is it legal for a company to lay off full time employees when they are short on work.
if so do they have to pay you a wage or can they pay you nothing.
the rumour is the company is having differculties and may close. they are planning to lay every body off, hoping people leave before closing.
can they do this?

[Lil O'lady]

Any job can be made redundant at any time. How this is dealt with depends on the nature of the company ie private one-man show, large corporation etc and the nature of your contract. Most larger organisations have a set procedure for redundancy with a staggered formula of entitlements linked to your length of service but I expect a small business won't use this structure.
Try this link:
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpandadvi ce/redundancy/?CMP=KAC-jankw08
But above all, while this is a rumour, do nothing rash - ie don't resign in haste. Make your plans quietly, take the advice mentioned in the link but if your current position suits you and nothing else is worth applying for sit tight for now.
And join a union if you can.

[factor-fiction]

I think grifter may not be referring to a full redundancy situation just yet- I interpret the posting to mean the employer wants them to stay at home for a few days and work reduced hours , and grifter wants to know whether they can get away without paying you for the days they tell you not to come in

[factor-fiction]

We need buildersmate for this. He's not been around much trecently though - he's not gone away with Ethel has he?

[colin6789]

Unless the Law has changed in the last few years, unless there is a lay off agreement the company, or even the administators or receivers can not lay anybody off with out pay. They can ask you to have time off without pay, that you may get back later. If they make you redundent in place of laying you off and the company keeps going or it taken over you do not have to be taken back.

[buildersmate]

Correct, Colin.