Are there any standard letters for dismissial/being laid off?

[SnapD]

Please - as we are having to lay some people off

(and I'm quite upset about it)

Refer back to the other post, I have done a lengthy reply to you just now. Go on ACAS website and look up 'statutory discipline and grievance procedures' and print the whole document off, about 26 pages, think it has sample letters at the back.

Are you really running a business and employing people?

ChocolateKimmy - I do my best

They have contracts of employment (flawed but they exist)
They have paid leave and paid bank holidays
I'm really good at PAYE & NI
We are(were) developing disiplinary/grievence/conduct procedures between us so we have a robust document to which they have had input
I honour all the statutory leaves (that I know about)

& I do try very hard

Most of my staff started out as 1 or 2 hrs a week and grew to 7hrs in one case and about 16 hrs for the others. Because it has grown gradually the need for "proper" contracts/term & conditions has arrived gradually (you wouldn't necessarily have a contract with a cleaner for example & these women work in my home)

I think IF (& that is a big if) I take people on again I will use temporary contracts as this work is not secure and this could (and probably will) happen again (tho' I am sure that is the wrong thing to do)

They are getting 4 weeks notice & if they find a job during the notice I won't hold them to the notice

If the work picks up I won't advertise their jobs - I will get in touch and see if they want them back

I don't know what else I can do - I have been opeating at a loss since January and I have spent all my reserves plus some savings)