What is the term for the situation where an employee feels they have been dismissed unfairly by their employer?

The term that describes the situation where an employee feels they have been dismissed unfairly is "unfair dismissal." This concept encompasses instances where an employee believes that their termination did not follow proper procedures or was not conducted in a fair manner. Unfair dismissal can occur if there was no valid reason for the dismissal or if reasonable steps were not taken by the employer to address any issues prior to termination, making it a significant issue in employment law.

In contrast, the other terms relate to different aspects of employment disengagement. Layoff refers to a temporary or permanent discharge of employees due to economic conditions or a lack of work, rather than a judgment about the fairness of the dismissal. Termination generally describes the end of an employee's contract but does not inherently indicate fairness or lack thereof. Redundancy involves the elimination of a position due to organizational changes, often without implications regarding the fairness of the dismissal. Therefore, "unfair dismissal" specifically addresses the perceived injustice an employee may experience in the termination process.