Redundancy dismissal without process: employer's no-show leads to win
A former employee of Blamire Bakery Limited has won her claim for unfair and wrongful dismissal after being made redundant without proper process. The tribunal awarded £11,960.28.
1 min read · Last updated 19 May 2026
Key facts
- The claimant was employed by the respondent.
- The claimant was made redundant.
- The respondent did not attend the hearing.
- The tribunal found the claimant was unfairly dismissed.
- The tribunal found the claimant was wrongfully dismissed.
- The respondent was ordered to pay a redundancy payment and damages for wrongful dismissal.
Timeline
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Hearing
The employment tribunal hearing took place at Carlisle. The respondent did not attend.
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Judgment
Employment Judge Anderson issued a judgment ordering the respondent to pay a redundancy payment of £7973.52 and damages for wrongful dismissal of £3986.76.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the claimant's dismissal by reason of redundancy was fair and lawful, and whether she was entitled to a statutory redundancy payment.
The outcome
The tribunal ruled in favour of the former employee, finding that Blamire Bakery Limited had unfairly dismissed her and wrongfully dismissed her. The employer did not attend the hearing or provide any evidence of a fair redundancy process.
Compensation awarded:
- Redundancy payment: £7,973.52
- Damages for wrongful dismissal: £3,986.76
- Total: £11,960.28
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must follow a fair redundancy procedure, including consulting with employees and considering alternative roles, or risk an unfair dismissal finding.
- If an employer fails to attend a tribunal hearing, the tribunal can proceed in their absence and make findings based on the claimant's evidence.
- Wrongful dismissal damages can be claimed when an employer fails to give proper notice, even if the dismissal is for redundancy.
- Union representation can help claimants navigate the tribunal process and present their case effectively.
This case shows what can happen when an employer makes an employee redundant without following any proper process. The former employee was dismissed by Blamire Bakery Limited but received no consultation, no warning, and no opportunity to discuss alternatives. The employer then failed to attend the tribunal hearing, leaving the claimant's evidence unchallenged.
What the employer did wrong
The tribunal found that Blamire Bakery Limited had no evidence of a fair redundancy procedure. There was no pool for selection, no consultation, and no consideration of alternative roles. By not attending the hearing, the employer missed the chance to explain its actions or mitigate the outcome. The tribunal was left to decide based solely on the claimant's account.
Why the result matters
This case is a reminder that redundancy dismissals must be handled fairly. Even if a business is struggling, employees have legal rights to a proper process. The award of over £11,900 reflects both the statutory redundancy payment and damages for the lack of notice. For employees in similar situations, the outcome shows that tribunals will enforce these rights even when the employer does not defend the claim.
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