Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment Regulations (TUPE) are by far one of the most complex and time consuming HR issues for a business to deal with.
At KeyHR we can
TUPE stands for the Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment Regulations 1981, (amended 2006, 2014) and is designed to help protect employees employment rights.
In broad terms TUPE applies in 2 types of transfer:
1) Business Transfer (i.e. the takeover / merger or transfer of a business to or from another company / owner)
2) Service Provision Transfer (the transfer of a contract for the provision of services to or from another supplier e.g. contracted cleaning services)
In both these cases the employees associated with the business or service provision have the right to stay within the role and their current employment rights are protected under TUPE legislation.
This can be one of the hardest things to ascertain and many smaller businesses may well claim TUPE applies when it does not or that TUPE does not apply when it does. The only way to be sure is to get professional advice and undertake proper due diligence on the roles.
Regardless of the number of employees TUPE will still apply.
For example:
If a company has 1 in house cleaner and outsources the cleaning service to a 3rd party contractor TUPE will still apply and the incoming service provider will have to take on the employee under TUPE.
In essence the new employer steps into the shoes of the old employer taking over all the employees’ original terms, condition and liabilities.
Meaning a transferring employee maintains a continuation of service and cannot be given any terms and conditions that are less favorable than those they are currently employed on.
Yes, there is a correct legal process to follow when undertaking a TUPE transfer, failure to do so may result in a tribunal claim being brought against the exporting company, importing company or both.
Yes, anyone can undertake a TUPE transfer. However we always recommend getting someone who is proficient in the process to help and support due to the legal pitfalls associated with TUPE transfers.
Yes, part time, part year & zero hours employees are all covered by TUPE.
The simple answer is to get professional advice.
Our HR consultants are happy to give you an initial free consultation / free advice to help you ascertain if TUPE applies and what the implications are for your business.
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Stourport-on-Severn,
Kidderminster,
Worcestershire,
DY13 8NB,
United Kingdom
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