The short answer
Do you get redundancy pay if you resign? In general, no. Statutory redundancy pay is only due when your employer dismisses you because the job is redundant. If you hand in your notice, you have ended the employment yourself, so you are not dismissed and the right to redundancy pay normally falls away.
Why timing matters
If you know redundancies are coming, it is tempting to jump first, for example when a new job turns up. Doing so can forfeit a payment worth up to £22,530 in statutory pay alone (2026/27), plus any enhanced scheme. Check what you could be giving up with the redundancy pay calculator before you decide.
Situations where you can still be paid
- Voluntary redundancy. If you volunteer and your employer accepts, it is a dismissal for redundancy, not a resignation, so you are entitled to redundancy pay.
- Leaving early during redundancy notice. After being given notice of redundancy, you can give written counter-notice to leave sooner and still claim, though your employer may contest it.
- Extended lay-off or short-time working. If your hours or pay are cut for a prolonged period, you may be able to resign and claim a redundancy payment after following the statutory steps.
- Constructive dismissal. If your employer's serious breach of contract forces you to resign, you may argue you were dismissed. This is hard to prove, so take advice.
A worked comparison
Marcus, 44, has 10 years' service on £600 a week. Made redundant, he would receive around 4 years × 1.5 weeks plus 6 years × 1 week = 12 weeks × £600 = £7,200. If he resigns a month before his role is cut, he receives nothing under the statutory scheme. Timing alone is worth £7,200. See how redundancy pay is calculated for the age-band method.
Settlement agreements
Sometimes an employer offers a settlement agreement, a negotiated exit that may include a payment for agreeing to leave. That is a different route from resigning and usually needs independent legal advice, which the employer often contributes towards. Read the tax guide to see how termination payments are treated.
What to do next
Before handing in notice, get the facts in writing, estimate your figure, and call Acas on its free helpline. Once you resign, it is very hard to reverse.