Section B - Scenario 2

IronForge Ltd is a heavy manufacturing company. Due to automation, IronForge no longer needs manual forklift drivers. They make David, a forklift driver, redundant. They offer him an alternative role as a data entry clerk in the office, at the same salary. David refuses the offer because he hates office work and has no computer skills.

Is David entitled to a statutory redundancy payment?

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employee loses their right to a statutory redundancy payment if they unreasonably refuse an offer of 'suitable alternative employment'. Suitability is judged objectively based on skills, status, and pay. A data entry role is fundamentally different from a manual forklift role and requires different skills. Therefore, it is not suitable, and David's refusal is reasonable, entitling him to his redundancy pay.