Hollister v National Farmers’ Union [1979] ICR 542 is a UK labour law case concerning redundancy and unfair dismissal.

Facts

Mr Hollister, who worked in Cornwall under the National Farmers’ Union, refused to accept new contract terms which slightly increased pay but worsen pension entitlements. He was dismissed. He claimed he was not redundant and it was unfair.

Judgment

Lord Denning MR held that a business reorganisation like this could be ‘some other substantial reason’. He referred to Ellis v Brighton Co-operative Society Ltd saying ‘Where there has been a properly consulted-upon reorganisation which, if it is not done, is going to bring the whole business to a standstill, a failure to go along with the new arrangements may well - it is not bound to, but it may well - constitute “some other substantial reason”.’ But then he said, it can also be so long as there is ‘some sound, good business reason for the reorganisation’.