Scottish Claims Helpline

Debenhams Protective Payment Award Claim

This claim is open to anyone in the UK. Being laid off, then you are entitled to compensation for unfair dismissal which consists of 8 weeks of pay as they have not followed the correct procedure. 
Debenhams have acted unlawfully in the manner of your dismissal.

Make sure that you protect yourself, your rights and the money that is owed to you.

Your Protective Payment award

A Protective Award is compensation awarded by an employment tribunal because your employer did not consult with you before you were made redundant. You’re only entitled to get this payment if you or your job role was included in a tribunal judgement. We will take your claim to the tribunal and secure your award.

What happened?

Debenhams fell into administration for the second time in April and hopes had rested on a rescue bid from JD Sports which failed to materialise. The administrators only option will be to lay off all the affected workers.

The Correct procedure

  • Step 1: Warn people of the potential of redundancy
  • Step 2: Identify the redundancy pool
  • Step 3: Decide on the selection criteria
  • Step 4: Consult with employees as a group
  • Step 5: Apply the selection criteria
  • Step 6: Consult with employees individually
  • Step 7: Dismiss the employee

Debenhams Procedure

Step 1: Fail to consult with any of their employees

Step 2: Dismiss everyone via the administrators


As we can see Debenhams procedure is significantly different from the the correct procedure which is laid down in law and as such Debenhams have failed to consult with their staff.  As a staff member you have rights. These rights that cannot simply be thrown away on the whim of an employer. You will need put in a claim to receive the protect payment award money as this needs to be raised via the employment tribunal service.

Government Guidance on these types of awards

Link to the UK government's insolvency service page explaining payment protection awards

Government guidance

Protective Pay Award Calculator

Find out how much your payment protection award could be word by using the calculator below. Enter your weekly pay and click next to see the result.

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