Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Job Separations Survey was a small ad hoc survey carried out by the Office of National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry during 2001-2002. The main objectives of the survey were to provide a statistically representative picture of employees experience of dismissal and redundancy and the use of grievance procedures. The number of applications to Employment Tribunals saw a steady rise until the end of 2001. In the first half of 2002, applications fell, but the number still exceeded 100,000. However, information on the nature of dismissals and other involuntary job changes is limited, and there was a need to discover how readily employees resort to conciliation procedures and tribunals, and whether potential tribunal cases are dealt with by internal grievance procedures or other means. Another reason for the survey was a desire to explore the reasons behind discrepancies between employer and employee data in this area. The survey was based on Wave 5 Labour Force Survey (LFS) respondents who had been interviewed between December 2000 and November 2001.

Main Topics:

Topics covered included respondents experiences with dismissal and termination of employment; whether they had received advice or trade union help; whether the case had been referred to Employment Tribunal; whether they had received or felt they were entitled to any money or pension payments; employment history before and after the termination of the job in question; and demographic details such as age, gender, social class, occupational status, ethnic group and household composition. Standard Measures: SIC (Standard Industrial Classification). SOC (Standard Occupational Classification).

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

drawn from Wave 5 Labour Force Survey (LFS) respondents who had been interviewed between December 2000 and November 2001.

Face-to-face interview