Hi,
A good friend has recently been informed he is being made redundant. He works for a small auto business and the redundancy is due to financial constraints.

He has worked there for 4 years between the ages of 19 and 23.

He has only been offered 2 weeks notice (on part-time pay) and no redundancy payment.

The employer has decided to retain two other members of staff in the same/similar role who both have worse performance figures but both have recently started families.

I believe my friend is due, as a minimum, 4 weeks notice at full pay + 2.5 weeks redundancy payment (3×0.5weeks for years under 22 + 1x1week for year over 22).

We have written a grievance letter which will go to the employer shortly, outlining the minimum terms my friend should receive.

I wondered if this was the best course of action as it seems that the employer is unlikley to agree to such proposals (based on previous form with other employees).

At what point would it make sense to engage a solicitor and are they likley to work on a contingency basis?

Many Thanks.
Stuart Gordon