Redundancy Bumping
What is redundancy bumping? Understand when employers might move employees between roles to avoid redundancy.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Redundancy bumping can save jobs but creates complex decisions for employers.
What Is Bumping?
Definition
Bumping occurs when:
| Situation | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Role A is redundant | Person A's job gone |
| Person A moves | To Role B |
| Person B | Made redundant instead |
| Result | Person A kept, Person B goes |
Why It Happens
| Reason | Example |
|---|---|
| Retain skills | Specialist knowledge |
| Long service | Loyal employee |
| Training investment | Expensive to replace |
| Fairness | Better overall outcome |
Legal Position
No Absolute Duty
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Not required | No statutory duty |
| Should consider | As part of fair process |
| Reasonableness | Is it reasonable to bump? |
When Failure May Be Unfair
| Circumstance | Risk |
|---|---|
| Obvious solution | And not considered |
| Long service | Strong case for bumping |
| Employee requests | And not considered |
| Similar roles | Easy to implement |
When Bumping Is Considered
Factors Making It More Likely
| Factor | Why Relevant |
|---|---|
| Long service | More to lose |
| Specialist skills | Hard to replace |
| Similar roles | Practical to swap |
| Employee suggestion | Raised by them |
Factors Against
| Factor | Why Relevant |
|---|---|
| Very different roles | Not practical |
| No suitable position | Can't bump anywhere |
| Person B's service | Also long-serving |
| Significant disruption | Business impact |
The Process
Considering Bumping
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify redundant role |
| 2 | Consider alternative roles |
| 3 | Assess if bumping viable |
| 4 | Compare employees fairly |
| 5 | Make decision |
| 6 | Document reasoning |
Selection Between Employees
| If Bumping Considered | May Need |
|---|---|
| Compare fairly | Both employees |
| Apply criteria | If selecting |
| Consider service | As factor |
| Document decision | Why this outcome |
Rights of Employees
Person Whose Role Goes (Potential Bumper)
| Right | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consultation | On redundancy |
| Ask about bumping | Raise if desired |
| Alternative considered | Should be explored |
| Appeal | Against redundancy |
Person Being Bumped (Person B)
| Right | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Before selection |
| Know criteria | If applied |
| Redundancy pay | If dismissed |
| Appeal | Against selection |
Practical Considerations
For Employers
| Consider | Issue |
|---|---|
| Disruption | To business |
| Training needs | For bumping employee |
| Fairness | To both employees |
| Documentation | Record decisions |
Questions to Ask
- Is bumping practical?
- Would it retain valuable skills?
- How would Person B be affected?
- What are service lengths?
- Is there a clear case for it?
Making the Decision
Weighing Factors
| Pro-Bumping | Anti-Bumping |
|---|---|
| Retain skills | Disruption |
| Long service | Training needed |
| Employee request | Person B affected |
| Similar roles | Different roles |
Documenting Decision
| If Bumping | If Not Bumping |
|---|---|
| Why appropriate | Why not practical |
| Comparison made | Factors considered |
| Fair selection | Alternative sought |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Manager and Assistant
| Situation | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Manager role redundant | Consider bumping |
| Assistant role exists | Could manager do it? |
| Pay difference | Significant factor |
| Skills transfer | Is it appropriate? |
Scenario 2: Specialist Role
| Situation | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Specialist role goes | Unique skills |
| General role exists | Could specialist bump? |
| Retaining expertise | Value to business |
| Training for role | How much needed? |
Scenario 3: Long Service Employee
| Situation | Consideration |
|---|---|
| 20 years' service | Strong case for bumping |
| Junior role exists | Occupied by 2-year employee |
| Capable of role | Skills transfer |
| Decision | May favour long service |
Challenges
If You Want to Be Bumped
| Action | Approach |
|---|---|
| Raise in consultation | "Have you considered..." |
| Identify roles | You could do |
| Explain skills | Transferable abilities |
| Follow up | If not responded to |
If You're Being Bumped
| Position | Rights |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Must happen |
| Know reasons | Why you |
| Redundancy pay | If dismissed |
| Challenge | If unfair |
Legal Cases
Key Principles
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Safeway v Burrell | Consider bumping |
| Lionel Leventhal | Not absolute duty |
| Thomas & Betts | Reasonable consideration |
What Courts Say
| Position | Detail |
|---|---|
| Should be considered | Part of fair process |
| Not always required | Depends on circumstances |
| Must be reasonable | Proportionate |
| Document reasoning | Show consideration |
If Bumping Goes Wrong
Unfair Dismissal Claims
| Claim By | Argument |
|---|---|
| Person A (not bumped) | Should have been bumped |
| Person B (bumped) | Shouldn't have been selected |
Defence
| Employer Must Show | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Considered bumping | Documentation |
| Fair decision | Reasoning |
| Proper process | Consultation etc. |
Best Practice
For Employers
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Always consider | Avoid claims |
| Document reasoning | Evidence |
| Fair selection | If comparing |
| Consult properly | Both employees |
Checklist
| Step | Done? |
|---|---|
| Identified redundant role | |
| Considered alternatives | |
| Considered bumping | |
| Documented reasoning | |
| Consulted employees | |
| Applied fair criteria | |
| Made reasoned decision |
Related answers
Alternatives to Redundancy
What alternatives should employers consider before making redundancies? Understand consultation requirements and avoiding compulsory redundancy.
Redundancy Selection Criteria: Employer's Guide
Choosing fair selection criteria for redundancy. Avoiding discrimination, creating a selection matrix, and scoring employees objectively.
Suitable Alternative Employment
What is suitable alternative employment in redundancy? Understand when you must be offered alternative roles and consequences of refusing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is redundancy bumping?
- Bumping is when an employee whose role is redundant moves into someone else's job, and that other person is made redundant instead. It can help retain skilled employees whose specific role has disappeared.
- Do employers have to consider bumping?
- There's no absolute legal requirement, but failing to consider bumping may make a redundancy unfair. Employers should consider it where it's reasonable - especially for long-serving employees or where it's an obvious solution.
- Can I refuse to be bumped?
- If your role is being 'bumped into' by someone else, you may have no choice - you'd be the one made redundant. You'd have normal redundancy rights including consultation, selection criteria (if applicable), and redundancy pay.