Managers guide to dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR)
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Our Guide to Dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) offers step-by-step instructions, ensuring legal compliance and fairness in the dismissal process.
- 3 pages / 794 words.
- Last updated 27/01/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Managers guide to dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR)
The five fair reasons for dismissal as set out by the Employment Rights Act 1996 are:
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Capability: If a person lacks the skills, qualifications or ability to perform the job role.
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Conduct: If the employee has committed gross misconduct, or received previous warnings for serious misconduct.
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Redundancy: If the role is no longer required by the organisation.
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Legal reasons: If the continuation of employment would cause legal issues, such as a teacher being unable to pass a DBS check.
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Some other substantial reason (SOSR)
What is Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR)?
SOSR is a unique category that encompasses various justifiable grounds not covered by the other four reasons. SOSR allows for dismissal when a reason is significant, justifiable, and does not fall within the other potentially fair reasons. It should not be an insignificant or frivolous reason but should justify the dismissal of an employee carrying out a particular role.
Common Examples of SOSR
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Business Re-organisation:
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If the business undergoes restructuring without making redundancies, SOSR may be a potentially fair reason for dismissal. This often involves changes to employees' terms and conditions, and dismissing an employee for refusing these changes, whether within or outside a re-organisation, can constitute SOSR.
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Refusal to Accept Changes to Terms and Conditions:
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Employees have the right to resist unilateral changes to their
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The Guide to Dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) provides employers with a structured approach to navigate complex employment terminations.
This guide outlines the legal framework, procedural considerations, and documentation requirements when dismissing an employee for reasons not covered by misconduct or poor performance.
Its purpose is to assist employers in making fair and legally sound decisions, fostering transparency and adherence to employment laws during the dismissal process for substantial reasons beyond traditional categories.
Compliance
Compliance
This Managers guide to dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Employment Rights Act 1996: Provides the legal framework for dismissing an employee for SOSR, offering statutory guidance on fair and unfair dismissals.
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Equality Act 2010: Ensures that dismissals for SOSR do not breach anti-discrimination laws and are carried out without discrimination based on protected characteristics.
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Data Protection Act 2018 (incorporating GDPR): Mandates the handling of personal data during the dismissal process in compliance with data protection principles.
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Common Law Principles: Legal principles related to fairness and reasonableness influence the dismissal process for SOSR.
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Company Policies and Employment Contracts: Internal policies and contractual agreements may outline specific procedures and expectations for dismissing an employee for SOSR.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Managers guide to dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR), to understand the workflow.
Dismissal for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) letter
Our Dismissal for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) Letter Template communicates a termination based on valid reasons beyond the usual, providing clarity and professionalism in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Managers guide to dismissing an Employee for Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR) is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
