Redundancy is like being fired, but with more paperwork and a payout. You still get a P45 on your last day. The payout part gets handled separately on a different form, usually a P45 Part 1A or something boring.
The key takeaway? Same day, same drill. Employer gives you the P45. You go home. You eat ice cream. You start job hunting.
What If Your Employer Goes Bust?
Okay, this is the exception. If your company suddenly vanishes overnight—no boss, no office, just a tumbleweed—you might not get a P45. This happens more than you think.
In that case, you call HMRC and explain. They’ll ask, “Did they give you a form?” “No, they gave me a cardboard box and a firm handshake.” Then HMRC helps you sort it out. It’s slower, but it works.
