Cambridge O Level Business Studies · Syllabus 7115 · People in Business
Dismissal
What is Dismissal?
The ending of a person's employment by the employer because of that individual: their conduct, their capability to do the job, or a breach of the terms of their contract. Dismissal is about the employee and the employment relationship, and is normally subject to a fair procedure and to legal controls on unfair dismissal. The job itself continues to exist and will usually be filled by someone else.
This definition is part of the People in Business chapter in Cambridge O Level Business Studies.
Common mistakes with Dismissal
- "He was made redundant because his work was poor." Fix That is a dismissal for capability. Redundancy happens because the job is no longer required. Why It is the single clearest definitional test in this topic, and it is directly examinable as a "state the difference" question.
Questions students ask about Dismissal
What is the difference between dismissal and redundancy?
Dismissal ends someone's employment because of that individual: their conduct, capability or a breach of their contract terms. Redundancy ends employment because the job itself is no longer required, for example after automation, falling demand or restructuring — it is about the job, not the person's performance, and must never be described as a penalty for working badly. Where only some job-holders must go, selection should use fair, job-relevant criteria.