The law on dismissal and redundancy for apprentices depends on whether they're in:
- England and Wales
- Scotland
England and Wales
In England and Wales, employers must follow the same procedure for dismissal or redundancy for apprentices as for other employees.
Dismissals
Employers must follow a fair and reasonable procedure to decide whether to dismiss someone. This includes:
- having a valid reason
- following a full and fair procedure, usually in line with the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures
- making a decision that's balanced, consistent and as fair as possible
Find out more about dismissals
Redundancy
Employers must follow a fair redundancy process, including consulting with staff.
Find out more about redundancy
More advice about apprenticeships in England and Wales
Find out more about apprenticeships in:
- England – apprenticeships guidance on GOV.UK
- Wales – Welsh Government apprenticeships guidance
Scotland
In Scotland, employers can only dismiss or make apprentices redundant in very limited circumstances.
Find out more about apprenticeships on the Scottish government website
Contact the Acas helpline
If you have any questions about dismissal and redundancy for apprentices, you can contact the Acas helpline.