UK Recruitment Glossary
P45
In recruiter context
Three parts. Your previous employer keeps Part 1; you give Parts 2 and 3 to your new employer so they can pick up your tax code correctly. Without a P45, you go onto an emergency tax code (1257L W1/M1 or BR), and you'll likely overpay tax for a few months until HMRC sorts it. You can claim it back, but it's a hassle. Always chase your P45 in your final week — payroll teams are notoriously slow about issuing them, and you need it to start the new role cleanly.
Related terms
Gross Misconduct
A category of serious workplace misconduct that justifies summary dismissal (without notice) — theft…
Severance
A payment when employment ends, often above the statutory minimum and usually wrapped into a settlem…
Redundancy
Dismissal because the role itself no longer exists — not because of your performance.
Hybrid Working
A working pattern split between office and remote — typically 2 or 3 days a week in the office.