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Unfair dismissal fines can be imposed if an Employment Tribunal rules that a staff member has been dismissed unlawfully
UK employment law lays down the grounds for which the dismissal of an employee is fair and unfair. If you dismiss a member of staff you must be able to prove at least one of the fair reasons as set out in the Employment Rights Act, 1996, otherwise the dismissal could be regarded as unfair and unlawful.
There are various reasons for dismissal that are automatically regarded as unfair, with examples including pregnancy/maternity, trade union membership, and the taking part in lawful industrial action.
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Start The 60 Second TestUnfair dismissal fines can be imposed if an Employment Tribunal rules that a member of staff has been dismissed unlawfully. Compensation typically consists of two elements:
Being taken to an Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal is worrying indeed, but what happens if your business is fined for unfairly dismissing an employee and you can’t afford to pay?
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If your company is insolvent you have a number of legal responsibilities that you must adhere to. Taking steps to protect creditors from further losses by contacting a licensed insolvency practitioner can help ensure you adhere to these duties.
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If you can’t afford to pay the fines imposed for unfair dismissal your former employee can apply to their local county court or the High Court for bailiffs to collect the debt. They may also submit a Penalty Enforcement Notice to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
This department then sends a warning notice giving you 28 days to pay. If the demand remains unpaid you may receive a further penalty of up to 50% of the original fine, and also risk being publicly named by the government for non-payment.
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The ‘naming scheme’ was introduced on 18th December 2018 following the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices. If the judgment against you was made on or after this date and involves compensation of £200 or more, you could be considered for inclusion and naming.
Employers are named via a press release from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - you would receive a letter notifying you that your business will be included in the next release.
There may be a number of solutions if you can’t pay your Employment Tribunal fines. It’s advisable to seek advice from a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) to establish your best options, which may include the following depending on your circumstances.
If your company is struggling with unmanageable debts, squeezed cash flow, or an uncertain future, you are far from alone. We speak to company directors just like you every single day, and we are here to give you the help and advice you need.
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Additional finance
Fines for unfair dismissal can be significant and you may need a lump sum of cash to pay them in full. If you own hard assets of value, such as equipment or vehicles, you could be eligible for an asset-based loan as an alternative to obtaining a ‘traditional’ bank loan.
This would involve selling and renting back the assets so you receive a cash lump sum with which to pay the unfair dismissal awards, but you’d retain full access to the assets in question.
You may also be able to appeal against the Employment Tribunal judgment. Real Business Rescue has extensive experience of helping businesses in debt, and can offer independent advice if you’re unable to pay unfair dismissal fines. We operate an extensive network of offices around the UK, and offer free same-day consultations to quickly establish your best options.
Still unsure whether liquidation is right for your company? Don't worry, the experts at Real Business Rescue are here to help. Our licensed insolvency practitioners will take the time to understand the problems your company is facing before recommending the best course of action going forward based on your own unique circumstances.
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